If you’re a low- or moderate-income patient in Colorado, the Hospital Discounted Care (HDC) law is designed to help you avoid overwhelming medical bills. Enacted in 2022, this law requires hospitals to provide financial assistance to qualifying patients. However, a recent report by the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI) reveals that many hospitals are not […]
AMA Calls for Stronger Hospital Charity Care Standards
Nonprofit hospitals are supposed to provide charity care to patients who struggle to afford medical bills. However, many nonprofit hospitals don’t meet clear standards for this care, and policies vary widely. To address this, the American Medical Association (AMA) recently announced its support for stronger, more consistent standards in charity care. Why the AMA Supports […]
How to Negotiate Your Medical Bills
Medical bills can feel overwhelming, but there are effective ways to lower them. Before paying your bill, explore other options such as applying for Charity Care, reviewing your bill for errors, or negotiating a payment plan. Here’s a helpful guide to walk you through negotiating your medical bills and reducing financial stress. 1. Apply for […]
New CFPB Opinion on Medical Debt Collection
Medical debt is a major burden for many Americans, but a new advisory opinion from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offers important clarifications to protect patients. The CFPB, which enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), has highlighted how debt collectors can violate the law when trying to collect medical debt. Understanding these […]
Insured Patients Face Unfair Exclusion from Hospital Charity Care
The Dollar For research team spends a lot of time reading charity care policies of hospitals across the country. They have found 129 policies that consider any insured patient automatically ineligible for charity care. Many more require patients to be “underinsured,” which is usually not defined in the policy. This is a problem because the […]
IRS Audits Reveal Gaps in Hospital Community Benefit Spending
A recent Lown Institute article shows that many nonprofit hospitals aren’t doing enough to invest in community health programs. These hospitals, which receive tax exemptions, are supposed to use their revenue to fund services like free care and health screenings. However, IRS audits found that hospitals often misuse these funds, directing them toward projects that […]
CEO Pay in Nonprofit Hospitals Rises
A recent CEOWORLD magazine article highlights the rising CEO pay in nonprofit hospitals. According to a study by Rice University, CEO compensation in nonprofit hospitals increased by 30% between 2012 and 2019. This sharp rise raises serious concerns about the priorities of these hospitals. Are they focusing on executive pay rather than their charitable missions? […]
Montana Evaluates Nonprofit Hospital Charity Care and Community Benefit
Montana is taking a bold step to ensure nonprofit hospital charity care and community benefit are provided as promised. The state aims to verify that hospitals truly serve their communities and earn their tax-exempt status. According to a recent report, this initiative reflects growing concerns that some nonprofit hospitals prioritize profits over their charitable missions. […]
Are Nonprofit Hospitals Justifying Their Tax-Exempt Status?
Nonprofit hospitals, traditionally seen as pillars of community health, are increasingly operating like for-profit enterprises, as highlighted in this KFF Health News article. These institutions leverage their tax-exempt status while generating substantial revenue through various ventures, including for-profit subsidiaries and investments. This raises the question: Are they truly serving their communities, or are they exploiting […]
North Carolina Medical Debt Elimination Initiative – APPROVED!
In a significant move, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved a proposal by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s administration. This North Carolina medical debt elimination initiative offers financial incentives to hospitals across the state. The goal is to eliminate patients’ medical debt and implement policies to prevent future liabilities. Read the […]
Communities Take Charge: Buying and Forgiving Medical Debt
In a remarkable move towards alleviating financial burdens, some communities are actively buying and forgiving millions in medical debt. As highlighted in a recent WFYI article, this strategy has become a lifeline for many struggling with overwhelming medical bills. However, this raises an important question: Is this enough to address the systemic issues behind medical […]
New Medical Debt Relief for Kentuckians
In a heartening development, medical debt has been relieved for 1,257 Kentuckians, offering significant financial relief to many families. This milestone underscores the ongoing need for stronger patient protections and systemic reforms to prevent medical debt from accumulating in the first place. Medical Debt Relief Initiative The recent debt relief was achieved through collaboration with […]