Health & Welfare

Decoding Prime

How a major California hospital chain boosts its bottom line through aggressive billing practices.
Spotlight: Health & Welfare

Prime hospital’s stent placements violated state regulations

Spotlight: Health & Welfare

Hospital chain, already under scrutiny, reports high malnutrition rates

Spotlight: Health & Welfare

Prime Healthcare's treatment of rare ailments stands out

Spotlight: Health & Welfare

Chain profits by admitting ER patients

All Stories

Spotlight: Health & Welfare

When and why should patients get a coronary stent?

May 2, 2012, 12:05 AM
Doctors advise patients to weigh risks and benefits when considering a stent procedure for a blocked artery. Other treatment options may be effective. + read more
Spotlight: Health & Welfare

Prime hospital’s stent placements violated state regulations

May 2, 2012, 12:05 AM
For years Desert Valley Hospital in San Bernardino County has performed numerous stent procedures without a full license to do so. State inspectors have cited the hospital repeatedly. + read more
Daily Report: Health & Welfare

Lawmakers move to curb hospitals from 'capturing' patients

April 23, 2012, 12:05 AM
The emergency room practices of a major California hospital chain have prompted new legislation to reduce what critics describe as a pattern of "capturing" insured patients in order to boost bills. Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, chairman of the state... + read more
Daily Report: Health & Welfare

Lawmakers alarmed by hospital chain's practices

February 24, 2012, 8:43 PM
LOS ANGELES – If a Kaiser Permanente customer ends up in the emergency room of another hospital, Dr. John Shohfi and his team of Kaiser doctors and nurses expect to be informed. They're on call 24 hours a day, coordinating care when Kaiser patients are treated elsewhere. But... + read more
Daily Report: Health & Welfare

Prime Healthcare CEO abruptly steps down

February 23, 2012, 8:16 PM
The president and chief executive officer of Prime Healthcare Services resigned yesterday, leaving as FBI agents are questioning former employees about the firm's billing practices and state legislators prepare to question the company's attorney in a Los Angeles hearing tomorrow regarding... + read more
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California Watch 'Decoding Prime' series honored with Polk award

February 19, 2012, 9:56 PM
I am privileged and honored to write today that the Center for Investigative Reporting’s California Watch has won the George Polk Award for our multi-platform series on aggressive billing practices at a Southern California hospital chain, Prime Healthcare Services. Our reporting team of... + read more
Daily Report: Health & Welfare

Prime Healthcare drops bid for N.J. hospital

February 7, 2012, 12:05 AM
Prime Healthcare Services pulled its bid to buy a New Jersey hospital last week, saying it was deferring to the wishes of local elected officials who wanted to see the hospital remain a locally operated nonprofit. The proposed deal met strong resistance from a health workers union and a... + read more
Daily Report: Health & Welfare

Prime-managed hospital draws potential buyer

January 13, 2012, 12:05 AM
A San Bernardino County hospital managed by Prime Healthcare Services is considering a purchase offer from a nonprofit Catholic health system, possibly signaling an end to a long and rocky bankruptcy. Orange County-based St. Joseph Health System has offered $35 million to buy Victor Valley... + read more
Daily Report: Health & Welfare

FBI interviews Prime hospital patient as inquiry widens

January 9, 2012, 12:05 AM
FBI agents interviewed a former Shasta County hospital patient Friday amid indications of a widening federal inquiry into Medicare billing practices at the Prime Healthcare Services hospital chain. Darlene Courtois, 64, who was featured in a California Watch report last month about unusual... + read more
Spotlight: Health & Welfare

Video: Tapping into Medicare's gold mine?

December 19, 2011, 3:01 PM
Darlene Courtois describes herself as overweight, not emaciated, so she was surprised to learn that her hospital billed Medicare for treating her for kwashiorkor, a dangerous form of malnutrition. + read more
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