From 2011 to 2012, the average amount patients paid in out-of-pocket costs on common procedures increased 22 percent, according to a report from TransUnion Healthcare.
TransUnion Healthcare defined "common procedures" as major joint replacements, Cesarean sections, natural birth deliveries and other major procedures performed in the hospital setting.
However, as patient out-of-pocket payments increased, patients' ability to cover all healthcare expenses decreased. For example, patients with the riskiest credit continued to struggle between 2011 and 2012 in making payments. Their available revolving credit for healthcare costs — or the amount they can devote to paying off healthcare — decreased, and the average revolving credit across all consumers also dropped.
"Uncompensated care is one of the biggest issues hospitals face in this new era of healthcare," said Milton Silva-Craig, president of TransUnion Healthcare. "With more and more people struggling to make payments, healthcare organizations must ensure they are doing all they can to engage their patients in an open and transparent manner in determining the best method in which to make payment or assist them in qualifying for some type of benefit."
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