Heritage Foundation: Malpractice in Massachusetts Sep 13, 2008
The money along with anticipated reductions in uncompensated care would, instead, be redirected toward helping the low-income uninsured buy health insurance ... Uncompensated care costs and hospital supplemental Medicaid payments would decline, and the need for direct subsidies would disappear ... Despite the enrollment of 175,000 members in the new Commonwealth Care subsidized insurance program and a similarly healthy decline in hospital uncompensated care visits, Massachusetts politicians have... (Fox News)
Would-be senators differ on income tax rate, little else Sep 5, 2008
The commonwealth has raided the uncompensated care pool, a state program which pays for uninsured or underinsured people. $455 million has been raided by the commonwealth to pay for the connector. (Bolton Common, MA)
On the Third Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina; Trust for America's Health Questions State of National Emergency Preparedness Aug 30, 2008
The Act would put into place a framework to ensure hospitals are reimbursed for uncompensated care. Clearly designate who is in charge: There must be an official in charge of public health preparedness to specify how various departments, state and local officials, and first responders are to collaborate in the event of a public health disaster. (PR Newswire)
Urban medical schools feel weight of uninsured Aug 29, 2008
Uncompensated care means less money available for academic programs ... The uncompensated care means less money coming into the medical school to support programs and make infrastructure improvements necessary to attract top-notch physicians and highly qualified students ... He puts the total cost of uncompensated care by Wayne State medical school doctors at about $50 million each year. (MSNBC -- Health)
Uninsured Patients Receive Unpredictable, Rationed Access To Health Care Aug 28, 2008
27, 2008) A case study of three health care institutions -- public, for-profit and not-for-profit -- within one metropolitan area found that self-pay patients must navigate a system that provides no guarantees medical centers will follow their own policies for providing uncompensated care ... The study analyzed how three medical centers with different ownership models rationed uncompensated care to patients without insurance. (Science Daily)
Mass. releases state health insurance report Aug 13, 2008
The report, delivered to the Legislature by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, reflects employee use of MassHealth, Commonwealth Care and the Uncompensated Care Pool during Fiscal 2007, reflecting trends in the early months of health care reform implementation. The analysis, conducted by the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy, estimates that nearly $372 million in public funds were spent on health care services for employees of more than 1,450 companies with 50 or more... (Malden Observer, MA)
Struggling to stay healthy Aug 4, 2008
At St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam, officials have seen uncompensated care go up 18 percent since the beginning of 2008. "I think people are making choices now," said John Sagan, the hospital's CFO. " 'Am I going to pay for food and utilities, or the hospital bill?' ". (Albany Times Union)
Hospitals get financial chills Aug 1, 2008
Hospitals face an increasing level of uncompensated care as a result. Charity care and debt written off as uncollectible from patients who can t pay their bills was up 15. (Tampa Bay Business Journal, FL)
As hospital care rises so does cost of charity Jul 20, 2008
The group looked at uncompensated care costs, or costs for which hospitals were not paid, mostly charity care or bad debt. Nationwide, uncompensated care costs jumped from $12 ... As a percent of operating costs, uncompensated care fell to 5. (Pine Bluff Commercial, AR)
Trustees OK hospital budget, 9% rate hike Jul 19, 2008
Another chart appeared, tracking the rise of uncompensated care provided by the hospital. It started at 18 million in 2003, eventually spiking to a projected 49. (Gillette News-Record, WY)
McCain Veepstakes: Romney's Ready Jul 17, 2008
One is, they point out the expense of the plan, but they don t point out the savings, because our plan replaces over time our uncompensated care pool or the provision of free care by hospitals which is paid for by taxpayers and ratepayers. The reduction in the one is something they failed to acknowledge, so the net cost is a far more appropriate figure. (Human Events Online)
New commitments made for Med's reimbursement woes Jul 16, 2008
According to The Med, uninsured patients account for approximately 30 percent of its caseload, resulting in $80 million annually in uncompensated care costs. The statement said, "this issue has put a huge financial strain not only on The Med and Shelby County, but also on the entire safety net infrastructure throughout Tennessee.". (Memphis Business Journal, TN)
State delves into thorny issue of coverage Jul 14, 2008
7 billion a year in uncompensated care, most of which is borne by employers through taxes and surcharges. "It is not free care," said Ray Sweeney, executive vice president of the. (Albany Business Review, NY)
Health-care nonprofits feel pinch of unpaid services Jul 3, 2008
To fill gaps left by rising patient-care costs and growing numbers of uninsured citizens, many local health nonprofits are footing the bill for much more uncompensated care than they have in the past ... Patients receiving uncompensated care include people unable to pay their medical bills, the uninsured and underinsured, elderly citizens whose retirement funds have run out, and others ... Des Peres-based , which has 10 skilled nursing, assisted living and independent living facilities in the... (St. Louis Business Journal, MO)
Plymouth dentist's whiter smiles go the extra mile Jun 19, 2008
"We look forward to continuing this campaign for years to come..." CHOP spokesmen say fundraisers like Smiles for Autism "(help) sustain vital programs that are not reimbursed through insurance and funds patient care, research and clinical education." "Last year, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia provided more than $43 million in uncompensated care," they add. "It spent another $74.4 million subsidizing medical education programs, four primary care centers in low-income Philadelphia... (Springfield Sun, PA)
Require helmets for motorcyclists Jun 17, 2008
The public ends up paying these costs in a variety of manners, including through Medicaid or by paying higher insurance premiums to cover the uncompensated care provided by hospitals. The revised 2003 Pennsylvania law allows those at least 21 who have been licensed for two years or have completed a state-approved safety course to ride without a helmet. (Scranton Times, PA)
Health care plan no prescription Jun 14, 2008
And now, with the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council reporting substantial increases in uncompensated care being provided by hospitals amid a sour economy, hospitals and patients alike would be better served by broader provision of actual health care coverage. Other elements of the GOP proposal would fund medical and dental education loan forgiveness for doctors and dentists, subsidize health care savings accounts quasi-insurance instruments that are great if you re healthy and... (Scranton Times, PA)
WMC announces new charity care application Jun 14, 2008
Of about 30 million in uncompensated care each fiscal year, Brandt said, about 20 percent is from charity care patients and 80 percent is from "bad debt" patients. Charity care happens when a person applies and the hospital determines that the person is unable to pay his or her bill, while bad debt occurs when a person simply does not pay his or her bill for whatever reason. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
Hospitals in the pink Jun 13, 2008
PHC4 also pointed out that the amount of uncompensated care hospitals across the state provided was up 12 percent from last year, from $604 million to $678 million and to 2. 27 percent of all net patient revenue. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
Retired docs vital volunteers May 23, 2008
35 billion in uncompensated care costs, according to the. Community health services in Northeast Florida consist of a network of health providers and community organizations, many of which rely on the volunteer efforts of health-care providers in town. (Jacksonville Business Journal, FL)
Hospitals: Financial dilemma May 13, 2008
There are many reasons, but the biggest problem probably is uncompensated care - when patients cannot, or simply do not, pay ... That's why the cost of uncompensated care jumped 11 percent in 2006. (Florida Times-Union)
Trauma bill supporters preparing for push May 11, 2008
In the final days of the session, the Senate addressed the "entitlement" concern by declaring that no money from the tag fee could pay for uncompensated care at hospitals ... Uncompensated care serves poor and uninsured people who cannot pay their bills, and it is a major reason some hospitals are suffering financially ... "If you want popular support," he said, "people have to think it's going to make sure there is a trauma system for their child if they're in an auto accident. They don't want... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Pa. budget secretary says plan to cover uninsured 'sustainable' May 6, 2008
As more uninsured Pennsylvanians enroll in ABC, hospitals will be treating fewer uninsured patients and a portion of the current "uncompensated care" payments could be redirected to the ABC program. Rendell said the budget office analysis "demonstrates to the taxpayers of Pennsylvania and their elected leaders that this is a financially responsible plan. With the additional revenues from the proposed 10 cents-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax and the first-time-ever tax on smokeless and... (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)
Health giant McKesson acquires software maker HTP May 4, 2008
Uncompensated care amounted to $31 billion nationally in 2006, according to the. OSU Medical Center and are among local clients. (Columbus Business First, OH)
Moses Cone community benefit grows to $115 million May 3, 2008
Uncompensated care remains the largest item , growing to $96. 8 million for 2007 from $90. (Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area)
Health insurance plan revealed for NC May 3, 2008
Memorial President & CEO Joseph Ruffolo noted that more than 21,000 Niagara County residents lack even basic health insurance coverage, which contributed to Memorial providing nearly $7 million in uncompensated care last year. Related Industry News. (Buffalo Business First, NY)
$45 billion a year is spent by public on health costs for full-time workers and families May 2, 2008
This includes $33 billion in the cost of public coverage such as Medicaid and the State Childrens Health Insurance Program, and $12 billion in uncompensated care expenseswhich are paid by Federal, state and local governments and shifted to other payersprovided to uninsured workers and dependents ... 5 billion, and an increase in uncompensated care costs from $9 ... When private employer-sponsored coverage declines, public health insurance and uncompensated care only fill part of the gap. (EurekAlert!)
Report: Lack of health insurance kills 2 each week Apr 9, 2008
The lack of health insurance also affects those who are insured, because the cost of health insurance premiums rises to pay for uncompensated care for the uninsured, he said. . (Missoulian, MT)
Report places hospital economic impact at $1.9 trillion Apr 9, 2008
Hospitals nationwide provided $31 billion in uncompensated care to patients and communities in 2006, according to the hospital group. Latest News. (Atlanta Business Chronicle, GA)
Poor Get Recycled Drugs In Some States Apr 8, 2008
Every year, hospitals there provide about $120 million in uncompensated care, according to Susie Scott, executive director for the Wyoming Health Care Commission ... In Iowa, hospitals in 2005 provided $465 million in uncompensated care, according to the state's hospital association. (Click2Houston, TX)
Lost in the labyrinth Mar 30, 2008
Walczak says half of his patients were uninsured three years ago, but they were covered by the Massachusetts Uncompensated Care Pool, the old system that handled such people. The good news is that far fewer patients are still in the pool, now under a different name. (Boston Globe)
Both Parties Prescribe Bad Medicine In The Form Of Insurance Mandates Mar 29, 2008
As for the responsibility argument, uncompensated care costs federal and state governments roughly $40 billion a year in a health economy that tops more than $2 trillion annually. That's a very small percentage of the total expenditure, and certainly doesn't amount to a hidden tax of $900 per person. (Investors Business Daily)
Independent ideas Mar 24, 2008
Massachusetts reformers were so sure this would be the case they eliminated the state's uncompensated care plan in 2007, replacing it with the Health Safety Net Trust Fund ... So much for the Massachusetts promise that making people buy insurance leads to less uncompensated care and better reimbursement rates ... Reformers blame the uninsured for uncompensated care, willfully ignoring the fact that the majority of uncompensated care is generated by the government run Medicaid and Medicare... (Boulder Colorado Daily, CO)
Use fund surplus for uninsured Bill would expand access to medical treatment Mar 22, 2008
Coverage for uninsured workers would sharply reduce the amount of uncompensated care now provided by hospitals and other providers, thus improving their bottom lines. The Senate should approve the House bill. (Scranton Times, PA)
Health care alert Mar 17, 2008
At the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the cost of uncompensated care -- the combination of charity care and bad debt -- is expected to increase by $14 ... Shifting an increasing share of heath care costs to employees, which includes bigger co-pays and limited coverage plans, are among the reasons DeMichiei cited for the increase in uncompensated care. (Pittsburgh Business Times, PA)
Weak immigrant sent home after free treatment in Ariz. Mar 17, 2008
Weak immigrant sent home after free treatment in Ariz. Weak immigrant sent home after free treatment in Ariz. (AZCentral -- News)
Guest editorial: How to reduce cost of health care Mar 9, 2008
When they do not have the ability to pay, then hospitals and providers are faced with large amounts of uncompensated care. These costs are shifted to other payers and then add more to the total costs of health care. (Ames Daily Tribune, IA)
Should We Push Everyone Into The Health-insurance Pool? Feb 28, 2008
"Fifteen percent of uncompensated care goes to people in that income class," Nichols said. "The mandate makes them pay their fair share. For lower-income people you need to have subsidies, but you need sticks and carrots.". (FOXBusiness)
Crist's health plan a bad idea Feb 26, 2008
Public and not-for-profit hospitals rely on income from these procedures to help pay for more than $2 billion in uncompensated care that they provide each year, largely through emergency rooms that form a crucial safety net for all Florida residents. According to the Florida Hospital Association, 28 new hospitals have been approved over the last eight years, and existing hospitals have added thousands of beds. (Ocala.com)
In California, Insurers Take More Heat Feb 15, 2008
The state of NJ pays hospitals on a formula that is a political football in the NJ legislature, but that globally represents 20% of all uncompensated care, so, 80% of it is never paid for ... The pass thru to the general public occurs to the extent that insurers reimburse to hospitals that small component of uncompensated care ... If an error is made, and it is an honest error, than insurers are fully capable of absorbing that expense in the same manner that I absorb the cost of uncompensated... (Wall Street Journal)
Universal Detection Technology Launches Campaign to Market Anti MRSA Products Feb 13, 2008
Along with the Detroit Medical Center, WSU faculty physicians provide an average of $150 million in uncompensated care annually. For more information, please visit. (Primezone Releases)
Doctoring the Health System Jan 26, 2008
Hospitals dole out about $34 billion in uncompensated care a year, while another $37 billion is paid by people with coverage for those who are uninsured, according to the nonpartisan group National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC). Faced with out-of-control health-care costs and a growing number of employers cutting back on health benefits, state governments have decided that they can't wait for the next president to move into the White House and implement reform. (SmartMoney)
Adopt fair deal on insurance Jan 24, 2008
Doctors and other providers would be assured of payment and hospitals would have to provide less uncompensated care for uninsured patients. Other funds for the workers coverage, under Mr. Rendell s proposal, would come from a 10-cent-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax and the imposition of a new tax on other tobacco products. (Scranton Times, PA)
STATE BUDGET: Local health care officials praise Spitzer plan Jan 23, 2008
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center President and CEO Joseph Ruffolo thinks Spitzer s proposed expansion of the state s Child Health Plus program coupled with his interest in reducing the cost of inpatient services related to Medicaid would help health care facility s like Memorial address one of their most pressing concerns: the high cost of uncompensated care. I think the governor is right on the money, Ruffolo said. (Niagara Gazette)
Pennsylvania hospitals under siege Jan 20, 2008
All the while revenue is pushed downward by pressures from an increasing number of patients seeking uncompensated care. That total rose from $461 million across Pennsylvania in fiscal 2001 to $543 million in fiscal 2005, according to HAP. Plus, hospitals are undercompensated by ever-lower reimbursements for Medicare and Medicaid patients, who make up the bulk of Northeastern Pennsylvania hospitals patient loads. (Scranton Times, PA)
Report outlines hospitals' ‘charity care' Jan 17, 2008
When the cost of uncompensated care was compared with the hospitals' operating expenses, all were at or below the national average of 5. 7 percent. (Missoulian, MT)
Unstable patient Jan 12, 2008
Mercy faces general economic issues that include tenuous Medicare and Medicaid funding, declining rates of insured patients and increasing rates of uncompensated care, a nursing shortage exacerbated by those unstable Medicare and Medicaid rates, and pressure to maintain state-of-the-art capability in several specialties. It also faces the potential merger of Community Medical Center and Moses Taylor Hospital, which is being facilitated and partly driven by the region s largest health insurer,... (Scranton Times, PA)
ER patients tired of the wait Jan 5, 2008
Waits are the norm because hospitals don't have the staff or beds to accommodate the swelling demand -- or the money to provide growing amounts of uncompensated care in the hospital unit where treatment is most expensive. All hospitals scramble to treat the sickest first, but wait times and success at seeing everybody who shows up vary significantly across the region. (Sacramento Business Journal, CA)
Businesses warm to idea of universal health care Jan 5, 2008
7 billion a year in uncompensated care, most of which is borne by employers through taxes and surcharges. There are also other, less quantifiable costs, such as lost productivity when workers are ill and the ripple effects when people go bankrupt trying to pay hospital bills. (Albany Business Review, NY)
PCRMC OKs 12 percent price hike Dec 22, 2007
To compensate for the fact that Medicare, Medicaid and Charity reimbursements will not increase despite the hospital s price increases, and assuming this uncompensated care will exceed 20 million, the resulting effect will be to increase charges to insured customers to make up for the deficit, Paule said. In the industry, this is referred to as cost shifting, Paule said. (Rolla Daily News, MO)
Financial Burden of the Uninsured Growing in Washington Dec 16, 2007
In 2002, the statewide financial burden of uncompensated care was $457 million, according to the report ... But all regions experienced climbing uncompensated care costs. (Insurance Journal)
Uncompensated hospital care up 19% locally Dec 14, 2007
Greater Cincinnati hospitals provided nearly $202 million in uncompensated care in 2006, a 19 percent increase from the year before, according to a recent study ... The survey includes data from 26 area hospitals and reports uncompensated care at cost. (Cincinnati Business Courier, OH)
Hospital's financial news provides encouragement Nov 23, 2007
That offset the uncompensated care, which was about $122 million. Community expanded the orthopedic program, added a special unit for stroke patients and added a 50,000-square-foot imaging center at the downtown regional medical center. (Fresno Bee)
Surplus of $9 million cheers hospital Nov 21, 2007
Spokesman John Zelezny said Community spent about $122 million in charity and uncompensated care. This was down slightly from about $124 million a year ago. (Fresno Bee)
Dispute over who pays for medical services Nov 19, 2007
Evans added, "We know there is a problem with the cost shift, especially in emergency rooms. They're having to cover the cost for uncompensated care because of the uninsured or because Medi-Cal is not paying them enough. If that is the real problem, it should be addressed, but we shouldn't put it on the back of consumers.". Anthony Wright - executive director of Health Access of California, a consumer advocacy group - said it is difficult to unravel who bears the greater responsibility for... (Marin Independent-Journal)
11 of 18 in burn unit undocumented Nov 1, 2007
Last year, San Diego County hospitals provided $619 million in uncompensated care, and an estimated 10 percent to 17 percent of that paid for treatment for undocumented immigrants, according to the Hospital Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties. Burn care requires ventilators, multiple surgeries, round-the-clock intensive care and grafts from human cadaveric skin. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Partnership with government can provide health care for all Oct 29, 2007
The system would eliminate uncompensated care, which every private provider faces today and the rest of us pay for through higher rates. By providing a national risk pool, we bring enormous clout to the marketplace that benefits everyone. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
New report: private/public insurance mix is most practical way to achieve universal coverage Oct 18, 2007
Affordable, comprehensive health insurance coverage for all Americans is essential to achieving a high performance health system, say the report authors, because coverage helps to ensure access to essential preventive services; improve overall health; cut down on inefficiencies like duplicate medical tests; reduce administrative costs; and eliminate costly uncompensated care for uninsured and underinsured families. However, the way coverage reform plans are designed will be critical to their... (EurekAlert!)
More of this story Oct 15, 2007
Bad debt, uncompensated care and difficulty recruiting physicians, but it is the status of reimbursement in Rhode Island that is the single greatest problem for The Westerly Hospital, and all Rhode Island hospitals. Our reimbursement is one of the lowest in the state. (Westerly Sun, RI)
Grady expects record deficit this year Oct 13, 2007
The agency is working on a new formula for distributing federal money to hospitals for uncompensated care to indigent patients. Grady Memorial Hospital has the highest losses of any Georgia hospital from services to Medicaid patients and those without health insurance. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Bad Medicine for Health Care Oct 11, 2007
Individual mandate supporters typically justify the policy by citing the problem of uncompensated care ... It's that they simply get less care than most people (one reason uncompensated care is such a small fraction of health-care spending). (BusinessWeek)
TennCare garners federal approval for three more years Oct 10, 2007
"We were able to secure an agreement that allows TennCare to pay $115 million more to hospitals over the next three years to help offset uncompensated care than CMS' original proposal would have allowed," Goetz added ... The purpose of the payments is to assist with uncompensated care costs. (Nashville Business Journal, TN)
Report says Pa. health-care in 'critical condition' Oct 7, 2007
said the state's medical centers are struggling with Medicaid and Medicare payments that are below the cost of care and uncompensated care costs, which now top $500 million a year, for people with no insurance. "This report reinforces the need for increased hospital reimbursement, financial assistance for hospitals' investments in health information and clinical technology, and the implementation of health-care policies that provide hospitals with flexibility to meet these challenges," Scanlan... (Pittsburgh Business Times, PA)
Legislature OKs Return Of No-Fault Insurance Oct 6, 2007
"All hospitals would have been affected (if PIP hadn't returned) but trauma centers would have had a much greater increase in uncompensated care.". Over the summer and in special session this week, lawmakers devised a proposal to restore the system, but with new anti-fraud controls. (News4Jax.com, FL)
Insuring the uninsured ... Comprehensive plan input sought ... Carthage geared up for homecoming ... Carthage chamber official resigns ... Owner of Anderson Guest House arrested on fraud charge ... Emergency crews grateful for guard cables ... ';var marqueewidth="350px";var marqueeheight="25px";var marqueebgcolor="#FFFFFF";////NO NEED TO EDIT BELOW THIS LINE////////////var pauseit=1;var marqueespeed=1 //slow speed down by 1 for NSvar copyspeed=marqueespeedvar pausespeed=(pauseit==0)? copyspeed: 0var iedom=document.all||document.getElementByIdif (iedom)document.write(''+marqueecontent+'')var actualwidth=''var cross_marquee, ns_marqueefunction populate(){if (iedom){cross_marquee=document.getElementById? document.getElementById("iemarquee") : document.all.iemarqueecross_marquee.style.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8+"px"cross_marquee.innerHTML=marqueecontentactualwidth=document.all? temp.offsetWidth : document.getElementById("temp").offsetWidth}else if (document.layers){ns_marquee=document.ns_marquee.document.ns_marquee2ns_marquee.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8ns_marquee.document.write(marqueecontent)ns_marquee.document.close()actualwidth=ns_marquee.document.width}lefttime=setInterval("scrollmarquee()",20)}window.onload=populate;function scrollmarquee(){if (iedom){if (parseInt(cross_marquee.style.left)>(actualwidth*(-1)+8))cross_marquee.style.left=parseInt(cross_marquee.style.left)-copyspeed+"px"elsecross_marquee.style.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8+"px"}else if (document.layers){if (ns_marquee.left>(actualwidth*(-1)+8))ns_marquee.left-=copyspeedelsens_marquee.left=parseInt(marqueewidth)+8}}if (iedom||document.layers){with (document){document.write('')if (iedom){write('')write('')write('')write('')}else if (document.layers){write('')write('')write('')}document.write('')}}Wednesday, September 26, 2007 State Sen. Gary Nodler introduces Gov. Matt Blunt at a news conference Monday where Blunt told members of the media and staff at Freeman West Hospital about his new program to provide health insurance to about 200,000 Missourians who don't have insurance. John Hacker/Carthage Press Insuring the uninsured Sep 26, 2007
"Gary Duncan, president and CEO of Freeman Health Systems, said the plan means the governor acknowledges the impact of the uncompensated care hospitals provide on the cost of health care to those who have insurance. Duncan said uncompensated care makes up about 7 percent of Freeman's annual billings."I think what the governor is doing and acknowledging, is that we've got to stop the cost-shifting," Duncan said. "The more (the cost of uncompensated care) goes up, the more it falls over to those... (Carthage Press, MO)
