The four-hospital system will convene a group of former patients to discuss a model bill format and standardized procedures. It will also name a permanent advisory group of former patients to advise on billing practices and create a department to explain bills to patients.
The move comes after the News-Press published a series of articles on people’s experiences with hospital bills.
The Healthcare Financial Management Association’s patient-friendly billing initiative calls for standardizing bills as much as possible, using plain language rather than medical jargon and clearly stating what the patient owes.
Read the Fort Myers News-Press‘ editorial on hospital bills.
