Hospitals, docs asking patients with high-deductible plans to prepay
A 34-year-old is putting her needed hysterectomy on hold because her physician won’t perform the surgery unless she pays her $2,500 share of the cost upfront, and the hospital may demand the same before allowing the procedure.
“I’m so angry,” Tai Boxley said to Kaiser Health News. “If I need medical care I should be able to get it without having to afford it up front.”
Boxley’s situation isn’t unique. With ever higher deductibles and out-of-pocket limits in health plans, providers are more frequently asking for “point-of-service” payment. This may create a greater financial barrier to care, forcing patients to put off necessary procedures and putting hospitals in danger on violating Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).
“At the very least it’s poor form, and goes against the intent if not the actual wording of EMTALA,” said Vidor Friedman, MD, board member for the American College of Emergency Physicians.
For more on patients’ frustrations with the push for upfront payments, click on the link below:
John joined TriMed in 2016, focusing on healthcare policy and regulation. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, he worked at FM News Chicago and Rivet News Radio, and worked on the state government and politics beat for the Illinois Radio Network. Outside of work, you may find him adding to his never-ending graphic novel collection.