Tuesday, August 24, 2004

Nonprofit hospitals' billing practices examined.

There's a good article by Roger Yu in this morning's Dallas Morning News (requires free subscription) that gets into more of the details of hospitals' billing practices than the USA Today article does. The opening paragraphs tell the story pretty well:

Uninsured and diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, Elaine Sawyer entered the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla.

A month later, doctors determined a transplant wouldn't help. She and her husband, Dempsey Sawyer, returned home to McKinney in June with a terminal diagnosis and a hospital bill for $225,000.

Had Mrs. Sawyer, 63, had health coverage, her family might have been responsible for a modest co-payment, and an insurance company would have paid a discounted price – perhaps tens of thousands of dollars less.

"I've talked to some medical people, and they said some of those charges are ridiculous," said Mr. Sawyer, 69, a retired high-tech worker, who borrowed money to pay $190,000 of the bill.

It's not that hard to see how the hospitals got into this situation. First, they have their standard fees - often 3 to 4 times their actual costs. This is the amount that indemnity-type health insurance plans and the uninsured were usually charged. Hardly anyone has an indeminity plan any more: they've been priced beyond the reach of most Americans, for this very reason. Managed care plans exist for basically one reason: to negotiate discounted fees for their insureds. Their rates average about 13 percent above cost (though averages are a bit misleading) and Medicare has legislated itself a sweet deal of 1 percent (on average) above cost.

So who's left paying the full charges? The uninsured. "Paying" may be a misnomer. That's the amount they are billed. Very few pay the full bill and many pay nothing. But that doesn't stop the hospitals from sending bills and trying to collect. As well they should. I believe that, as good stewards of the public's tax subsidy for their operations, nonprofit hospitals have an obligation to take reasonable steps to bill and collect for the services they render.

Is there any relief for the truly indigent? Yes, some. As the article points out:

"It's important to understand that a hospital charges patients the same amount regardless of the type of insurance," said Carmela Coyle, policy analyst with American Hospital Association.

Hospitals in Texas say they can't lower charges for the uninsured because state law prohibits them from knowingly charging more to individuals who have insurance.

The Texas Department of Insurance says this law doesn't apply to Medicare and Medicaid patients or to the "medically indigent."

Patients who qualify for the label "medically indigent" can get a break. All others get the full billed charge, even though a lot of those charges get written off as bad debt after collection efforts have failed.

92 comments:

Ray said...

Interesting and highly useful information on your blog.

I like the slant you put on things.

I spend a lotta time on my debt consolidation finance resource site. If you have any ideas for making it more appealing, let me know.

Also, if your readers are interested, I’ve posted a link to the Red Cross at my site.

Thanks for helping out.

James

Anonymous said...

I'll have to keep that in mind exercise video

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to tell you that you have a great blog here! It's being bookmarked!

I have a investment advice
related site too. It covers a lot of finance and investment advice
associated topics.

You're most welcome to check it out :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi, just came across your fha home loan mortgagemavericksonline blog. What a great site. I also have a site relating to the fha home loan mortgagemavericksonline niche that I think your readers would be interested in. Would love you to stop by for your feedback

Roberto Iza Valdés said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

I am not sure I understand this mlm script stuff but I want to help people so I keep trying to understand more about mlm script

Anonymous said...

Informative blog you have here. Here is mine secret shopping

Anonymous said...

to all of the major RSS feed directories on the Internet.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes, these gambles pay off, but there are occasions when they fail miserably,

Anonymous said...

What is debt consolidation advice Debt Consolidation?

A strategy sometimes used by consumers to better manage their debt problems. Rather than paying off several separate bills each month, a consumer consolidates his or her debts with a financial institution that will arrange for one lower monthly payment extending over a period of time.
debt consolidation advice

Similar terms for debt consolidation advice Debt Consolidation are...

debt consolidation advice Debt, Debt Relief, Consolidate Debt, etc.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful thank you which was consulted very much

But in blog of my site, when that has been written about information business should drop in freely.

business card printing

San Diego real estate broker said...

Hi, Not what I was searching for, but none the less an interesting blog you have here. Thanks for putting it up. I've enjoyed reading a lot of the text here. I’ve got you bookmarked for the future, I'll be back. My sites are quite a bit different, some think it's odd. I guess it's a matter how you look at it. I have three legal directory sites that list local lawyers and also great legal advice articles.

Anonymous said...

Would The Thought Of Thousands Of Other Web Site's All Displaying Your Content,

Anonymous said...

So were you (Or anyone else for that matter) looking for for information on Free Settlement Info ? If so , please see the link about annuity provider settlement structured . Any questions, just ask!

Anonymous said...

Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you!

I have a mortgage rate calculator site/blog. It pretty much covers ##KEYWORD## related stuff.

Come and check it out if you have time :-)

Anonymous said...

uk property search

Leif Wheeler said...

Hey, Great Blog!
Your visitors may also enjoy visiting this site.
boat loan

Anonymous said...

I look forward to Your visit!

Anonymous said...

Check Out this Site About work from home company

Leif Wheeler said...

Hey, Great Blog!
Your visitors may also enjoy visiting this site.

business classbusiness class

Roberto Iza Valdés said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Our Blog network has 708 Pages and Growing at a Rapid Pace!

Roberto Iza Valdes said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

So you need a uk secured loan company

Get a uk secured loan company at Easy Loans UK

Anonymous said...

nice information

Anonymous said...

You have a great website here, and I'm going to tell all my friends about it.

Anonymous said...

where i get more info?

Anonymous said...

where i get more info?

Anonymous said...

Hi. Nice blog. I have very little to say, as I don't do this often.
based business home home opportunit work

Anonymous said...

I sure am grateful for the sense of community discussion around this topic.Adieu, Piper california christian debt consolidation

Anonymous said...

Sometimes its hard to know what to say or do.With Compliments, Somer cash advance san francisco

Anonymous said...

Heche una ojeada buen cu�l es el m�s importante para usted.Cheerio, Elliott faxless loan online payday right

Anonymous said...

Ich wei�, da� ich die bestm�glichen Wahlen treffe, da� ich zu in der LageBIN.Adios, Maritza california mortgage loan refinance and debt consolidation

Anonymous said...

Ik weet nooit of krijg ik skinny op cash advance payday loan, maar de meesten van wat ik op blogs als dit las schijnt te vertrekken.Respectfully, Porsha cash advance payday loan

Anonymous said...

how can i start a blog

Anonymous said...

Everyone needs a good loan at some point in time. If you are looking for home loan dallas make sure have all the resources at your fingertips.

The website http://www.homeloansnationwide.com/Directory has a great informational directory on home loan dallas so you can find exactly what you need.

Anonymous said...

With personal debt in the US at an unprecidented level, the good news is that help is at hand for those carrying the burden, in the form of the US Debt Help Manual, produced by the (PRWEB) October 2005__The US Debt Help Manual, produced by The Debt Counsellors. is a free, no_nonsense guide.
If your site is of similar interest contact me and link sites.
Debt Resources Services.

Anonymous said...

Christmas is just around the corner. No time to go to the mall...then do your shopping online. We sell everything that the mall sells. Shop today!

Anonymous said...

Tener una tapa del regazo significa todo el payday cash advance oregon que usted puede conseguir.So long, Demetra payday cash advance oregon

Anonymous said...

thanks for the info

Anonymous said...

thanks for the info

Anonymous said...

Everyone needs a good loan at some point in time. If you are looking for refinance home equity loan make sure have all the resources at your fingertips.

The website http://www.homeloansnationwide.com/Directory has a great informational directory on refinance home equity loan so you can find exactly what you need.

Anonymous said...

What an interesting blog you have. I often search the web for articles about love and dating and I found this one. As for totally free adult personals there�s a site for singles at http://top-personals.net, take a look.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I'm just a retiree from California; surfing around the 'net.
nd came across your blog.
I like your site. Keep on blogging!

Regards,
Bob

debt consolidation broker

Anonymous said...

Ich las ein anderes blog fr�h, und ich w�nsche, da� ich zuerst hergekommen war.Toodle-oo, Scott fannie mae college loan

Anonymous said...

Hi, I'm just a retiree from Nebraska cruising around the net and looking for
interesting blogs. Came across your blog and thought I 'd say hi. Nice work.

Regards,
Moe


debt consolidation agency

Anonymous said...

A real enlightening blog. Don't stop now. Here's a subject that may interest you; debt consolidation refinance http://thehomemortgageguide.com New Information revealed! debt consolidation refinance

Anonymous said...

Hello, I'm just a retiree from Kentucky cruising around the net and looking for
interesting blogs. Came across your blog and thought I 'd say hi. Nice job.
Keep on blogging.

Regards,
Jed


debt consolidation florida

Dale's Gmail said...

Hi there, you have a really useful blog. Can you believe it? When blog surfing for detailed info on mortgage refinancing I ended up on your page. Obviously your site is not exactly what I was searching for, but your site caught my interest...now to move on and continue my search for mortgage refinancing. Thanks for the post.

Anonymous said...

I was looking around and found baton rouge cash advance information on your site.Salaam, Shandi baton rouge cash advance

Anonymous said...

Met alle opties, hoe weet u of hebt u de juiste keus gemaakt?So long, Glendora student loan consolidation service

Anonymous said...

Haben Sie irgendwelche guten Nachrichten �ber cash advance qualifications, payday loan qualifications k�rzlich geh�rt?Genuinely, Milissa cash advance qualifications, payday loan qualifications

Anonymous said...

Je sais jamais vraiment il �tablira � la fin.Adieu, Bernardina student loan consolidation rates

Anonymous said...

Your 'MALL OF THE WORLD!' business home internet making money features a vast selection of the same products you'll find in some of the BIGGEST and most successful retail stores!

Anonymous said...

www.TheOnlinePromoters.com has everything a webmaster needs to succeed online

Anonymous said...

Meine Frage ist

Anonymous said...

It is interesting to see all you have to offer on the subject.Adieu, Susie clutter free and debt solutions free

Anonymous said...

La mia missione � di spargere il guaranteed debt consolidation loan di parola � la parola.Truly, Mike guaranteed debt consolidation loan

Anonymous said...

Man, I had to tell this guy today straight to his face, CHILL OUT DUDE. He was taken aback as he probably did not expect that type of response. So sometimes it truly works to freak people out and do something they do not expect at all. Like this one site I never expected to find on Mortgage insurance online uk, can you imagine that? I thought it would be easy to find, or so I expected, and this one day, I totally believe I spent like 4 hours or so and found nothing but crap sites. Geez, sometimes searching for hard topics can really SUCK.
Mortgage insurance online uk

Anonymous said...

Yesterday, I thought I really found a great site about Uk mortgage quote online, but that was just the teaser. This new one I JUST found is even better than the one before. No, really. I am totally serious here. Go check it out right now if you have the time. You will not be disappointed. That newer site just appeared like a UFO out of the sky into the blue. Amazing it was.
Uk mortgage quote online

Anonymous said...

How many times have you just been out wondering about the world wide web and thought how many possible different topics there are covered. Strange things, like even Uk mortgage online, that just pops into my mind from out of nowhere and then I had to go off and find out more about it. It is so vast this huge territory of space.
Uk mortgage online

Anonymous said...

Amazing how some people can just be so fearless, like that guy on television, Steve what is his face, from Australia who hands all the scary animals. How much courage does that take? I went researching about the guy and then came across a totally irrelevant topic like Mortgage refinance uk that somehow took my mind off that crocodile guy for good. Weird how you can be so tangled up in one thing and then move onto another. Sheesh.
Mortgage refinance uk

Anonymous said...

Did you know that you can find incredibly particular information about certain things right now and not even know? In fact, I truly believe I just found the best site when it comes to how to tell a good joke. No joke! Look, I do not usually come to blog to shout out about certain things, but this one site I found really had me going. If you are interested into this, you have got to come back and find out more on this when I divulge all about it.
Uk mortgage broker

Anonymous said...

Found this one site today about Offset mortgage uk and it made me think back upon my childhood. Yeah, who would think something like that could spark some childhood memories, but it did. And I keep searching for even more information about that, until I could not get enough. Man, I am spent!
Offset mortgage uk

Anonymous said...

distance learning education I love this blog! Won't you check my distance learning education blog out at distance learning education

Anonymous said...

How your habits control your small business sucess.
Link to this site: small business owner
http://small-businesses.info/

Anonymous said...

Distance learning is a term which encompasses all learning that takes place at locations remote from the point of instruction.
Link to this site: child learning difficulty
http://learningadvice.info

Anonymous said...

Once you come across a dedicated Daycare Provider you begin to understand that working in the Child Care field is a labor of love and certainly not a labor for monetsry gain. According to Madga Martinez, UNM Career Works, "Providers earn $12,058 per year on average, and seldom receive benifits or paid leave."
Link to my site: child care in san diego
http://www.childcare-advice.info

Anonymous said...

Hi,
I found reading your blog interesting and well done, I do like what you have done with your site but it is not really the information I was after about online casino review . Keep up the good work and hopefully I will visit again sometime and also find the information on online casino review that I was looking for in my travels.
Regards,

Anonymous said...

Valid point made, took mental note :0).Ok now back to looking up cost georgia health insurance low.Great time,cost georgia health insurance low.

Anonymous said...

I totally see your point.Great input, now back to working on quote debt consolidation advisor service.Thanks,quote debt consolidation advisor service.

Anonymous said...

I agree about 80% with you.Cashing out, just finished my report on term life insurance policy.Thank you very much,term life insurance policy.

Anonymous said...

I agree about 75% with the last comment.Couldn't agree any less, oh well need to finish up my thesis on non profit debt consolidation service.Very good stuff,non profit debt consolidation service.

Anonymous said...

finally some information i can use , most blogs don't have anything that interet me but thank you for the posts and keep blogging.

broker california health insurance

Anonymous said...

looks like I found another good blog thanks for the posts. keep blogging!

group health insurance quote florida

Anonymous said...

Hi, Just browsing around for ideas for my site. (While we're at the same topic), I'm just getting started if you want to visit:
usa dedicated server client list

Charles

Anonymous said...

Hey, just a quick hello from someone in Central America.
cheap web hosting sites
Charles

Anonymous said...

I have been following a site now for almost 2 years and I have found it to be both reliable and profitable. They post daily and their stock trades have been beating
the indexes easily.

Take a look at Wallstreetwinnersonline.com

RickJ

Anonymous said...

I am on the same page as the last comment.Have to get back to my studies on debt consolidation services.Very good stuff,debt consolidation services.

Anonymous said...

Some thought provoking and interesting comments I would say.

Anyways, if you like I have an interesting site to visit at http://www.surveyearn.biz/PaidSurveys/Work_at_home.html. All about work at home mom

Anonymous said...

Blogs and blogging are good for your self esteem!! - From http://www.surveyearn.biz/PaidSurveys/Work_at_home.html - work at home computer jobs

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the fine blog and read.

Feel free to visit mine at http://www.surveyearn.biz/PaidSurveys/Work_at_home.html
legitimate work from home It is very interesting. Hope you like it too.

Anonymous said...

He dribbles a lot of online phone sex and the opposition doesn�t like it. In fact you can
see it all over their faces. online phone sex

Anonymous said...

This is a great opportunity. Just push a button 4 times per day and make $1,000's per month within one year.

Anonymous said...

Blogs and blogging are good for your self esteem!! - From http://www.small-business-web-design.ssr.be - web design online

Anonymous said...

I thought your readers might be interested in the FREE information for dogs along with all the other great stuff you have here.

Thanks for the read and here is something I hope helps, great dog food recipes

Anonymous said...

Oh well not everyone needs to agree. But I do!.Need to finish my article on consolidation debt query service.Thanks for your time,consolidation debt query service.

Anonymous said...

Hey there,
I was just cruising the blogs today and I came across yours, it really entertained me.

Thanks,

free pet health care

Anonymous said...

I am here because of search results for blogs with a related topic to mine.
Please,accept my congratulations for your excellent work!
I have a auto insurance legal rights site.
Come and check it out if you get time :-)
Best regards!

Anonymous said...

This is an excellent blog. Keep it going.You are providing
a great resource on the Internet here!
If you have a moment, please take a look at my average homeowners insurance site.
Have a great week!

Anonymous said...

Nice blog. I love all the free adult movie preview. I will definately be back again... and again and again.

Anonymous said...

Great site. Close to what I was searching for about free black adult movie. keep up the good work and I will return again.