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Patients who had spine surgery performed by Dr. Jason Dreyer under general anesthesia at MultiCare Deaconess Hospital or MultiCare Valley Hospital in Spokane County between July 23, 2019, and March 10, 2021, may be eligible to submit a claim to receive a cash payment from a class action settlement.
MultiCare Health System Inc. agreed to pay $55.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged MultiCare and Dr. Dreyer were responsible for a pattern of medically unnecessary or improper spine surgeries at their Spokane County hospitals. Medical records indicate the settlement class includes approximately 475 patients.
Who can file a claim?
Class members must meet the following criteria:
- Dr. Jason Dreyer performed one or more spine surgeries on them under general anesthesia.
- Their procedure took place at MultiCare Deaconess Hospital or MultiCare Valley Hospital in Spokane County.
- Their surgery occurred between July 23, 2019, and March 10, 2021.
The class also includes authorized representatives of incapacitated class members and estates of deceased class member.
How much are settlement payments?
Class members have the following benefit options
- Tier 1: Class members can submit a claim to receive a $2,000 flat cash payment with no documentation required.
- Tier 2: Class members who contend their surgery was unnecessary or negligently performed can request a review by a panel of spine surgery experts who will have access to class member records. Approved Tier 2 claimants will receive a pro rata cash payment according to the plan of allocation. Class members who submit for a Tier 2 review will give up their Tier 1 $2,000 cash payment to fund the review cost.
- Tier 3: Class members who qualify for a Tier 2 payment and contend they suffered extreme and egregious harm resulting from their surgery can submit a claim to receive a cash payment up to $750,000. Tier 3 payments will be in additional to Tier 2 payments. The settlement administrator will deduct the cost of the Tier 3 review, estimated at $5,000 to $10,000, from the Tier 2 payment.
The estate of a deceased class member is eligible for Tier 1 or Tier 2 only.
How to claim compensation
To receive a settlement payment, class members must file a claim online. The claim deadline is Jan. 4. 2027.
Required proof and claim information
- To submit a claim online, class members must provide the unique ID and PIN from the settlement notice they received.
- All class members must provide their Social Security number when submitting their claim.
- Tier 1 claimants do not need to provide any supporting documentation.
- Tier 2 claimants do not need to supporting documentation, but the experts will review medical records on file with the hospital.
- Tier 3 claimants must provide supporting documentation showing extreme harm, such as paralysis, permanent disability, severe chronic pain, multiple revision surgeries and emotional trauma. This may include medical records or imaging studies from non-MultiCare providers.
If the experts deny a Tier 2 or Tier 3 claim, the class member can submit an appeal to the settlement administrator, according to the appeal process detailed in the plan of allocation.
Payout options
- Zelle
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Paper check
- ACH (direct deposit)
The settlement administrator may reduce class member payments due to liens, reimbursement claims, court-ordered garnishments, judgments or other legal obligations, including claims by health care insurers for reimbursement of medical expenses the insurer paid, including, but not limited to, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid or other government-sponsored plans.
Settlement fund breakdown
The $55,500,000 settlement fund will include:
- Settlement administration costs: To be determined
- Attorneys’ fees: Up to $18,315,000 plus reimbursement for expenses
- Service award to class representatives: $25,000 each
- Payments to approved claimants: Remaining settlement funds
Important dates
- Deadline to file a claim: Jan. 4, 2027
- Deadline to opt out: Jan. 4, 2027
- Final approval/fairness hearing: Feb. 2, 2027
When is the MultiCare spine surgery settlement payout date?
The settlement administrator will issue payments to approved claimants after it and the experts complete all claim determinations and the court grants final approval of the settlement.
Why did this class action settlement happen?
The class action lawsuit alleged MultiCare Health System and Dr. Jason Dreyer engaged in a pattern of medically unnecessary or improper spine surgeries, allegedly motivated by an uncapped compensation program. The plaintiffs claimed these actions resulted in damages to patients.
The defendants deny the allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the expense and risk of further litigation and a possible trial.
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