Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Bronson Healthcare has seen financial assistance applications increase by 40% and Medicaid applications jump by 25% this year, according to a March 11 report from the Michigan Health and Hospital Association.
Bronson Healthcare Director of Patient Accounting David Cavataio leads a team of 15 financial counselors strategically placed across four locations, according to the report. The team proactively uses admissions data to anticipate and identify patients who may qualify for financial assistance or Medicaid coverage.
A dedicated team then handles upfront estimates and call center staff connect patients to resources and support to help them navigate the billing process, according to the report.
One challenge facing hospitals is that patients are often skeptical when they are first approached by counselors. Mr. Cavataio said that once patients see how hard his team works to assist and how they’ll “drop everything to get the information they need, help them fill out the forms,” they start to see the counselors as a partner.
Read the full report here.
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