Moran

BACKGROUND

On three occasions in October 2013, plaintiff, “a self-pay patient,” went to the emergency room of a hospital owned and operated by defendants Prime Healthcare Management, Inc., Prime Healthcare Services, Inc., Prime Healthcare Foundation, Inc., and Prime Healthcare Huntington Beach, LLC. Each time, he signed a preprinted Conditions of Admission agreement (Contract) and received medical treatment. Subsequently, plaintiff received bills from the hospital for the treatment provided during the three visits that exceeded $10,000.1 In November 2013, plaintiff filed this putative class action against defendants. The initial complaint stated causes of action for breach of contract, breach of

The hospital continued to send bills to plaintiff even after he filed this action. But in July 2014, plaintiff received a letter from the hospital stating that after “‘administrative review’ of [his] account,” the account balance had been reduced to “‘zero.’” The letter also informed plaintiff the hospital would send him a check to refund his previous payment of $50. At oral argument, defendants made clear they contend plaintiff lacks standing because he never suffered…