New Report Unveils UCHealth's Controversial Lawsuits Against Patients Over Medical Bills

New Report Unveils UCHealth's Controversial Lawsuits Against Patients

A joint report by PatientRightsAdvocate.org (PRA), George Washington University, and Stanford University has uncovered alarming practices employed by the nonprofit health system UCHealth. From 2019 to 2023, UCHealth reportedly initiated over 15,700 lawsuits against patients in Colorado for unpaid medical bills, raising significant concerns about the transparency of healthcare pricing. Many patients found themselves blindsided by these lawsuits, often overwhelmed by a complicated and opaque billing system.

According to the report, patients frequently lacked easy access to the true costs of their medical care, preventing them from verifying the accuracy of their bills. The lack of itemized pricing made it virtually impossible for individuals to contest charges, especially when patients suspected inaccuracies or hidden fees. "For years, UCHealth has hidden their prices then unaccountably sued Colorado patients through intermediaries over unpaid bills, leaving many with garnished wages and seized bank accounts," stated Cynthia Fisher, founder and chairman of PRA.

This ordeal is more than just a series of lawsuits; it highlights a large systemic issue within the healthcare industry regarding pricing. The research revealed vast discrepancies in prices across UCHealth's various hospitals—prices for common medical procedures differed by as much as 247 times. A patient who responded to their lawsuit expressed feelings of disbelief, stating, "The amount that they say they are charging me is out of this world. I have not seen a detailed list of what they are charging me and if [the bill] is even correct."

The findings of this report remain especially relevant following the implementation of Colorado's 2023 hospital price transparency law. Under this legislation, patients are entitled to upfront pricing for their healthcare, enabling them to compare costs and make informed decisions. To further assist patients, PRA launched ColoradoHospitalPrices.org, a platform allowing users to access and compare hospital prices, while also providing avenues for legal recourse against hospitals.

Despite this progress, a recent semi-annual report from PRA revealed that 60% of Colorado hospitals were still in compliance with the requirement for price transparency, indicating significant work remains to be done. Alarmingly, only 9% of the hospitals surveyed provided adequate pricing data to support informed patient choices.

This issue has garnered political attention. In February 2025, former President Trump signed an Executive Order enhancing demands for hospitals, insurers, and intermediaries to make real prices accessible, pushing for a more consumer-friendly healthcare landscape.

PatientRightsAdvocate.org is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting transparency in healthcare pricing and empowering consumers with clear, upfront costs. The organization believes such changes can lead to reduced healthcare expenses through enhanced competition and market efficiency. The ongoing efforts by PRA, coupled with evolving legislative pressure, signify a transformative period in the struggle toward fair and accessible healthcare pricing, and this report on UCHealth’s practices illustrates the dire need for reform in the healthcare payment system.

As the healthcare landscape evolves, patients must remain vigilant and informed about their rights and the costs associated with their care. The revelations in this report serve as a critical reminder of the ongoing battle for price transparency and accountability in a sector that directly impacts the lives of countless individuals. Through these collective efforts, there is hope for a more equitable system that prioritizes patients’ well-being over profits.