As people that have insurance are responsible for a bigger portion of their medical bills, hospitals are more concerned about collecting. Now 41% of Americans have deductibles of $1,000 or more, which is up from 10% in 2006. Add to those covered by their employers with the newly covered 7 million or so, almost all of whom chose high deductible health plans. Hospitals total cost of uncompensated care reached $46 billion in 2012, which is equal to 6% of their expenses. So now many hospitals try to get patients to pay up front 30 to 50% of what they will owe and some offer discounts for paying early.
Hospitals want to do a Wallet ectomy – new rules on paying bills up front
November 7, 2014
