River Region Health System increased collections lawsuits 670 percent in the first five months of this year, a surge the largest local health care network attributed to internal staff shuffling and not a change in strategy.

There were 763 suits filed from Jan. 1 through June 1 compared to 114 in the same months of 2009.

The total sought is more than $1 million, up more than 31 percent. Amounts per person, however, are smaller by nearly $5,000 on average, meaning more patients are being pursued in court for smaller balances, some less than $300. County courts in Mississippi have jurisdiction up to $200,000.