Metropolitan Atlanta Hospital Accountability Project

¿Qué es? El Fideicomiso para atención de indigentes (Indigent Care Trust Fund) es un programa gubernamental que paga a los hospitales la atención médica de personas con bajos ingresos. Mediante el ICTF, los pacientes elegibles pueden obtener la atención médica que necesitan. Los hospitales participantes reciben cierta cantidad de dinero al año para brindar esta atención.

Esta atención subsidiada está disponible para pacientes internados como para consultas, sin importar si se trata de una emergencia. Cubre toda la factura o sólo una parte, dependiendo de los ingresos. El hospital debe bridar un trato equitativo a estos pacientes. Read the rest of this entry →

• Get a yearly physical, which can alert you to any issues you may have that could lead to medical issues down the road. By knowing you may have a medical problem, you are able to take proactive steps towards your wellness. Be sure, though, to know the costs of each test before you have it so you are prepared for the bill once it comes.

• Get your teeth cleaned twice a year. Good oral hygiene is essential for good health, as issues with your teeth and gums can lead to more severe medical issues.

• Know your free or reduced clinics, and use these as your first stop for care. By utilizing neighborhood clinics, you can often avoid hospital visits, which are far more expensive than a clinic visit. Most clinics have waiting lists and limited hours of operations, so be sure to check with the individual clinic.

• Do not go to the emergency room unless it is a true emergency. As soon as you sign in at an emergency room, you have incurred a cost that ranges between $300 to $750, even before you see a nurse or doctor.

• If you do require hospital care and are not eligible for financial assistance, try negotiating with the hospital. Most will give you a discount on your care if you agree to pay the bill. You should, though, request an itemized bill that you scrutinize carefully so you don’t agree to pay for services, tests or medications you did not receive.

• Always ask for a detailed bill that has each charge itemized so you are able to double check for errors. Common errors include: Charges for medications that were not administered and charges for a private room when you shared your room.

• Know your rights as a health care consumer. Hospitals and other health care providers are obligated to give you clear and transparent financial information about your bill and any health care procedures.

• Ask questions. It’s your right to ask your doctor why he is ordering a certain medical test and for your doctor to explain why this is medically appropriate. If you do not have insurance, this is especially important so that you avoid unnecessary tests that will drive up your bill.

• If you are uninsured or have high deductibles, inquire about charges before seeing your doctor or a specialist.

• If you are insured, read each page of your insurance policy carefully. If you don’t understand a portion of your policy, call the insurer’s help line for clarification. Understanding what coverage you have could help you avoid costly bills.

Many hospitals use the same financial standards for determining whether a health care consumer is eligible for financial assistance with their hospital bill. Generally, patients who are considered “indigent” will have most – if not all – of their medical bill written off, as they will likely be unable to pay. Patients who are not eligible but still cannot afford their bill due to income restraints are often eligible for reduced cost care, which is termed “charity care.” The below information does not apply to Medicaid.

You are considered medically indigent if your income is at the poverty level or below. For a family of one, this is $10,830. For a family of two, this amount is $14,570. You can find additional amounts on our Web site.

You are eligible for charity care if you make twice the Federal Poverty Level or below.

Know, though, that some financial resources – such as child support or disability payments – can also be counted in the income requirements.

Anyone who needs financial assistance with their hospital bill can apply for help through the hospital’s financial aid office. Generally, only people who live below or just above the federal poverty level are eligible to receive assistance, though most hospitals will offer some sort of discount to a patient who does not live at the poverty level but still needs help.

Hospitals most often require information such as proof of income, proof of residency and tax information to process your application. Most hospitals require a patient to reapply for financial assistance each time they visit the hospital.

Your hospital will likely automatically screen you for Medicaid eligibility. Be sure to ask, though, as you may be eligible for financial assistance through that program.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: WellStar Health System has sent 14,000 letters to patients saying it may terminate its relationship with Aetna insurance company.

While the letters have alarmed patients who worry they’ll have to switch hospitals or insurance companies, an Atlanta health consultant said the letters could simply be a negotiating tactic and that people probably have little to worry about.

Michael Rovinsky of Integrity Consulting Group said such letters have become a commonplace tactic during hardball negotiations between insurers and hospitals, used by both sides. One side, for instance, might use the letter to alarm patients, who then could call and apply pressure to the other side to settle the negotiations, he said.

“It’s using patients as a pawn for negotiations,” said Rovinsky, a healthcare consultant for some 25 years.

Read the rest of the article here.

ATLANTA — More than three million people are living without health insurance in Georgia. One woman without insurance, 52-year-old Essie Powell – gave Channel 2 a vivid look into their world – saying that if she has to battle cancer, she wants to do it with dignity. But without health insurance, she feels her dignity is denied. Read the rest of this entry →

New York, NY, May 11, 2009—Women are more likely than men to feel the pinch of rising health costs and eroding health benefits, with about half (52%) of working-age women reporting problems accessing needed care because of costs, compared to 39 percent of men, a new Commonwealth Fund study finds. Women who are insured but have inadequate coverage are especially vulnerable: 69 percent of underinsured women have problems accessing care because of costs, compared to half (49%) of underinsured men. Read the rest of this entry →

From ABC News: …The country’s health care leaders pledged Monday to reduce the annual growth of health spending by 1.5 percentage points — which they say will save $2 trillion in 10 years — some health policy experts say that it is unlikely that Americans will see any of this money returning to their own pocketbooks, despite the crippling health care costs that some face. Read the rest of this entry →

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