Government
Hospital charges to the uninsured to be investigated
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 12, 2004
The House recently held a series of hearings to assess whether reports regarding the overcharging of uninsured patients indicated that some nonprofit hospitals are not fulfilling their roles in providing charity care.
A congressional investigation showed that the uninsured are charged more than insured patients and that hospitals often had aggressive policies for collecting medical debt. Many poor and uninsured patients are eligible for aid programs, but hospitals often fail to inform them.
The House investigators said that many of these policies have been changed since these reports came out. Hospital executives said they are expected to take on too much free care and it is straining the ability to provide services to their communities.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/07/12/gvbf0712.htm.