Following criticism from community organizations, Indianapolis-based Franciscan St. Francis Health is defending its charity care practice and financial assistance program, according to an Indianapolis Star report.
Earlier this week, Citizens Action Coalition Education Fund and Indiana Legal Services asked the Indiana Attorney General’s office to investigate the hospital system’s charity care practices, particularly at its Beech Grove location. A report issued by the group said the Beech Grove hospital steered patients into payment plans when they qualified for reduced or waived bills.
St. Francis has expressed confidence in its financial programs and said it hopes to meet with the authors of the report. “Franciscan St. Francis Hospital has a process to determine if a payment plan or charity care will be required,” the hospital said in a statement featured in the report. “Every year we work with thousands of patients on a case-by-case basis who have difficulty paying their bills.”
St. Francis also said the hospital makes information about financial assistance programs available on patients’ bills and its website, while also offering financial counselors who can help patients with questions.
Read the Indianapolis Star report on Franciscan St. Francis Health and its payment programs.
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