Through the policy, which began last December, approximately half of patients pay up front based on an estimate from an electronic program. Patients are not denied care if they cannot pay upfront, but patients who do pay ahead of time receive a discount.
The payment program applies to non-emergency inpatient surgeries, outpatient surgeries, outpatient radiology services, labor and delivery and most recently, emergency room outpatient services. It is designed to increase transparency of healthcare costs and raise patients’ awareness of what they owe.
Read the West Central Tribune report on upfront payments.
Related Articles on Hospital Billing and Collections:
AMA Creates Web-Based Coding, Billing Solutions
CMS Clarifies Correct Coding Initiative Edits for Outpatient Payments
Leveling the Playing Field: 9 Tips to Receive Payment for Medical Claims Fairly and Quickly
