Medical Debt Associated With Worse Population Health, Higher Mortality
- Medical debt was associated with worse population health, including poor physical and mental health and higher mortality rates, a study published in JAMA Network Open indicated. Medical debt can force patients to delay or forgo care, hinder medication adherence, and exacerbate existing health disparities. Certain populations are particularly...
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Patient Collection Rate Falls to Nearly 48%
Healthcare organizations are finding it harder to collect patient financial responsibility, a new analysis from Kodiak Solutions indicates. The analysis of patient financial transactions from over...Financial Woes, Care Delays More Common Among Adults with Medical Debt
Adults with medical debt are more likely to delay care and experience additional financial challenges compared to those without debt, according to a KFF analysis. The analysis used data from the 2021...NYC Partners with Non-Profit to Relieve $2B in Medical Debt for Residents
New York City will invest $18 million in a program to relieve over $2 billion in medical debt for up to 500,000 New Yorkers. New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and...Medical Billing Quality Lacking According to Leapfrog Measures
Most hospitals do not have high medical billing quality, including patient access to a qualified billing representative and timely itemized billing statements. A recent study published in JAMA...Fewer Than 1 in 3 Consumers Pay Medical Bills Immediately
Healthcare revenue cycle leaders may need to readjust their patient collection strategy to help consumers understand and pay their medical bills, a new survey suggests. The survey of over 1,000...WA Non-Profit Health System Will Reimburse Patients in Charity Care Agreement
PeaceHealth, a Washington-based non-profit health system, has agreed to pay $4 million to 4,000 patients after it failed to disclose charity care policies before collecting payments. The agreement...27% of Adults Face At Least One Healthcare Affordability Challenge
Healthcare affordability is significantly impacting low- and middle-income families, but healthcare financial strain is becoming a more widespread issue for US families, a new study published in Health...Consumer Credit Scores Improve After Medical Debt is Wiped from Reports
After major credit bureaus stopped reporting medical debt collections less than a year old and less than $500, consumers saw improvements in their credit scores, according to data from the Urban...Generative AI’s Potential Shines on Revenue Cycle Management
Healthcare has its eyes on generative artificial intelligence (AI). The technology, including the popular ChatGPT tool, has passed medical exams, diagnosed complex cases, and designed new ways to combat COVID-19. However, its most...Non-Profit Hospitals Up Community Benefits to $130B
A new analysis released by the American Hospital Association (AHA) shows increasing levels of community benefits provided by non-profit hospitals. Non-profit hospitals delivered nearly $130 billion in...Sponsored by CareCredit
