USA: Number of health systems allegedly denying care to indebted patients grows
Recently Minneapolis-based Allina Health was highlighted by The New York Times for pulling back from its policy of denying nonemergency care to some indebted patients. However, a recent investigation showed it is not the only health system to allegedly have engaged in the practice.
According to KFF Health News, about 20% of US nationwide hospitals in a random sample pursued similar policies of care denial.
The Lown Institute went further, naming major health systems including Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic, St. Louis-based Ascension, Indianapolis-based Indiana University Health, Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health and Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai as operating facilities where the practice is followed.
IU Health, Ascension, Trinity Health and Cedars-Sinai denied they have such practices.
"We do not restrict medically necessary non-emergency care for patients with unpaid bills," an Ascension spokesperson said.
Source: Becker Hospital Review, 26 June 2023