Court Opinion

ID: 9736316
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 18:51:41.157889+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:27:05.830029
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE ROBERT E. GORDON, specially concurring. I agree with the majority that the trial court properly dismissed plaintiffs complaint with prejudice pursuant to section 2 — 615 of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2 — 615 (West 2004)). In order for a hospital to collect a bill for services rendered, it must show that the bill is the fair, usual and customary charge for the services received at area hospitals at the time of the charge. Victory Memorial Hospital v. Rice, 143 Ill. App. 3d 621 (1986); In re Estate of Albergo, 275 Ill. App. 3d 439 (1995). Therefore, a trial court will adjudicate a hospital lien on the same basis. 770 ILCS 23/30 (West 2004). The amicus brief filed by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) outlines hospital billing procedures and policies. The Illinois Hospital Association, in its amicus brief, explains how all hospitals maintain a master charge list outlining the customary charge for each hospital charge based on what other hospitals in the area are charging for each service they provide. Plaintiff admits he was billed for his health care expense based on this list. If a hospital individually enters into a contract with a health care insurance company to bill its insured at a reduced rate, there is nothing in the law that prohibits that conduct under the theory that it violates the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deception Business Practices Act or under the theory for unjust enrichment as noted by the majority in their opinion.