Health Net Inc. and Prudential Financial Services

A class action lawsuit was filed by approximately 950,000 doctors against the health care companies for allegedly programming computers to systematically lower reimbursements. A U.S. District Court Judge has approved a $167 million class action settlement. $40 million will be paid back to doctors and $25 million will be spent on legal fees. The rest of the money will be spent on improving processing of doctors' bill submissions and improving managed care. (Sep-29-05) [COURIER JOURNAL]