Minnesota Sets Rates for Uninsured
In an agreement released on April 4th, the Minnesota Attorney General and the Minnesota Hospital Association established debt collection and healthcare billing standards which will benefit State residents who do not have health insurance. The agreement is an extension of a program originally drafted in 2005 for a two year trial period. The new agreement will be in place over the next five years. Minnesota is the first state to address this issue.
Debt for healthcare is the number one cause of bankruptcy in the US. This is particularly serious for individuals who lack health insurance coverage to assist addressing this source of debt.
The program includes guidelines for charging patients who have a household income under $125,000 based on the same reimbursement rates from an individual hospital’s largest third party payor. Hospitals will also engage in a stepped process to collect debts from patients prior to engaging legal action or garnishing wages.
Hospitals are also working directly with both lawyers and debt collectors to ensure compliance with hospitals goals.
Related stories:
- State Supreme Court Dismisses Suit
- Universal Coverage Hits House
- Partnership Identifies Uninsured
- Massachusetts Plans for Universal Healthcare
April 10, 2007 Related topics: Legal & legislative, Finance, Trends, Corporate Financials