U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., seeks to make is easier for Medicare beneficiaries to cover their medical expenses.
To help accomplish this, the representative recently introduced H.R. 3920. Under the legislation, CMS would implement a three-year demonstration program across five states on the use of third-party interest-free payment arrangements, Ms. Walorski said via news release. She said the program would examine the affect of such payments on patient engagement, satisfaction, health outcomes and Medicare Part A bad debt claims.
"Healthcare providers in northern Indiana have led the way in finding innovative solutions to keep patients healthy, both physically and financially," she said. "I've seen firsthand how interest-free payment plans like those offered at Elkhart [Ind.] General Hospital and Memorial Hospital of South Bend [Ind.] can ease financial burdens for patients. My bill will build on the success of these programs by helping us better understand their impact on access to care, health outcomes, and Medicare bad debt claims."