Thread by @propublica

1/ We were reporting on a private-equity backed doctors group that was suing thousands of patients b/c of medical debt.

Then, the group announced it would stop suing and make its financial assistance more accessible — before we even published a word.

Here’s how:

2/ With our local partner @MLK50Memphis, we started by analyzing the data.

Since 2017, we found that Southeastern Emergency Physicians, a subsidiary of the doctors group @TeamHealth, filed more than 4,800 lawsuits against @BaptistOnline patients in Shelby County, Tennessee.

3/ Then, we did some research.

We learned that in 2017, private equity firm @Blackstone acquired @TeamHealth.

TeamHealth said the acquisition had no impact on its collection practices. The number of lawsuits, though, soared after 2017:

4/ Next, we talked to @TeamHealth employees.

They had some troubling things to say about the company’s approach toward charity care.

5/ First, it’s important to know that all non-profit hospitals and some doctors groups, such as TeamHealth, offer charity care — a form of financial assistance for low-income patients.

These discounts can be the difference between staying afloat and financial ruin.

6/ But we interviewed two former TeamHealth call center agents, who are the first line of communication for patients...

And they said they were instructed not to mention charity care unless patients did so first.

7/ Of course, we asked TeamHealth about all of this. First, they defended their practices…

But as we kept digging and asking more questions, they reversed course.

They said they would:
• Stop suing patients
• Not pursue current lawsuits
• Make charity care more accessible

8/ A Blackstone spokesperson said it was not involved in “these specific practices at the company, which we understand are quite common in the broader industry. However, we fully agreed with and support TeamHealth’s determination to discontinue it.”

9/ Learn more by reading our piece: propub.li/teamhealth

And next time you go to the ER, ask whether your doctor works for a physician staffing company such as @TeamHealth — and what that could mean for your bill.

Also...

10/ While TeamHealth said they’ve stopped the practice of suing its patients, we know many people still struggle with medical debt.

Does that sound like you, or someone you know? If so, get in touch. propublica.org/getinvolved/ha…

11/ At ProPublica, impact like this is core to our mission.

(Though admittedly it usually happens *after* we’ve published the story.)

Help us keep doing this by donating here: donate.propublica.org/give/141278/#!…

12/ And give your future-self something to be grateful for this season by signing up for ProPublica’s Big Story newsletter, where you’ll get more investigations like this one: go.propublica.org/bigstory-social

13/ Last step: sign up for @MLK50Memphis' newsletter to support @wendi_c_thomas' reporting and the local journalism that fueled this piece: mailchi.mp/mlk50/joinus