Metropolitan Atlanta Hospital Accountability Project

• 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.

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 →

HAP News: We’ve compiled a list of area clinics, though it is still somewhat incomplete. We would appreciate any insight or information you may have on accessing a more complete list. We’ll then provide that information on the site for everyone’s use, especially that of all consumers. Thanks in advance for your help!

While this didn’t happen in the metro Atlanta area, it is still something to note. The Chicago Tribune reported today that “a higher percentage of the poor and uninsured — one in three — are being redirected from the University of Chicago Medical Center to Mercy Hospital and Medical Center than the typical rate of admission of such patients to hospitals in Illinois. Read the rest of this entry →

Some people can’t buy health insurance because they have a pre-existing medical condition. But for most of the nation’s 47 million uninsured, cost is the big obstacle — especially if they don’t work for a company that pays part of the premium. Hear the broadcast here.

And even if they could find an affordable health plan, many are not used to building that cost into their monthly budget. Potential sticker shock is emerging as a key issue in the nation’s debate over whether everybody should be covered. Read the rest of this entry →

Georgia Congressman John Barrow (D-Savannah) addressed his peers on the House floor April 01, voicing his opinions on the subject of the uninsured. He also hailed the extension of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and pledged to work with both parties and the president for solutions to the health care crisis.

What is the Indigent Care Trust Fund? The Indigent Care Trust Fund (ICTF) is a state-sponsored program that subsidizes care for low-income individuals at participating hospitals. This subsidized care is available on both an inpatient and outpatient basis, regardless of whether there is an emergency. It can either cover an entire bill or just a portion, depending on income. The hospital must treat these patients the same as any other patient. The hospitals receive a certain amount of money each year to provide this care. Read the rest of this entry →