Maine hospitals have voiced support for a legislative resolve that would allow providers to determine patient ability to pay before providing free or reduced care, according to the Sun Journal.
Hospitals would not be allowed to refuse care, but they could determine what portion of medical bills a patient's income or assets can cover, according to the report. The resolve is designed to align state and federal laws, which will otherwise come into conflict.
Current state rules require charity care to be provided for patients earning 150 percent of the federal poverty line, whereas the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires charity care for those making 133 percent of the poverty level.
More Articles on Coding, Billing and Collections:
Get Claims Out the Door Faster: 6 Tips for ASC Revenue Cycle Improvements
Dr. Marc Cohen: 4 Big Coverage Challenges for Spine Surgery
Report: Geographic Medicare Spending Gaps May Be Due to Waste, Overuse
Hospitals would not be allowed to refuse care, but they could determine what portion of medical bills a patient's income or assets can cover, according to the report. The resolve is designed to align state and federal laws, which will otherwise come into conflict.
Current state rules require charity care to be provided for patients earning 150 percent of the federal poverty line, whereas the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires charity care for those making 133 percent of the poverty level.
More Articles on Coding, Billing and Collections:
Get Claims Out the Door Faster: 6 Tips for ASC Revenue Cycle Improvements
Dr. Marc Cohen: 4 Big Coverage Challenges for Spine Surgery
Report: Geographic Medicare Spending Gaps May Be Due to Waste, Overuse