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Lawsuit: Debt collector broke patient privacy laws

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Jan 25, 2012 at 3:02 pm

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Minnesota's attorney general is accusing a debt collection agency of failing to protect the confidentiality of thousands of patients' health care records.

Lori Swanson announced a lawsuit against Chicago-based Accretive Health Inc. Thursday. Accretive works with hospitals to maximize revenue.

The lawsuit alleges the agency gained access to patient data through contracts with hospitals, then scored their risk of becoming hospitalized. Swanson says the agency shares its activities with investors.

The lawsuit comes after an Accretive worker lost a laptop with data belonging to 23,500 Minnesotans.

Swanson wants Accretive to tell patients what information it has and where it sent the information.

Accretive spokeswoman Francesca Luthi, says the company will work with Minnesota to resolve the matter, and has already enhanced security procedures.