The system has partnered with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt to provide relief for about 193,000 patients with unpaid bills for healthcare services, some of which date back nearly a decade, according to the report.
“Ochsner is proud to have worked with Undue Medical Debt to enable the organization to acquire and cancel past one-time debts for eligible residents,” the system said in a statement to The Times-Picayune. “In addition to our other longstanding practices that underscore our commitment to providing accessible healthcare — such as refraining from selling debt to secondary collectors – our partnership with Undue Medical Debt makes healthcare more equitable and affordable for our patients.”
The effort comes shortly after New Orleans city officials announced a deal with Oschner and the nonprofit to erase more than $59 million in medical debt for about 66,000 low-income patients, according to ACB affiliate WGNO. On Aug. 21, Ocshner confirmed it was expanding the debt relief program systemwide.
About 22% of Louisiana residents have medical debt, according to a report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
