Hospital Access Management – September 1, 2010
September 1, 2010
View Issues
-
Surge in self-pay, underinsured shows no sign of slowing down
If a patient requests financial assistance at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, he or she can expect to be asked for some very specific information about finances more specific than that previously requested. This makes it harder for patients to "game the system." -
In the ED, access' timing is everything
Even though the number of self-pay and underinsured patients continues to grow at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, IL, the patient access department set a goal of increasing emergency department (ED) collections by 50%. -
WakeMed fortifies its self-pay processes
WakeMed Health & Hospitals in Raleigh, NC, has a long history of caring for all who seek service regardless of the ability to pay, and is currently facing a marked increase in uninsured patients. -
'Dually employed' case managers growing trend
The mission of eight onsite Medicaid case managers at WakeMed Health & Hospitals in Raleigh, NC, is to "focus only on patients who have been patients at WakeMed," says Heidi McAfee, director of patient access/case management. -
Are payers giving you more hoops to jump?
As payer requirements become more numerous and stringent, any type of error can result in a needless claims denial. -
Are you totally certain contact info is correct?
"How hard can it be to get the right address and phone number?" is a question you might hear too often. In reality, of course, it's not as simple as it sounds. -
Fine-tuning ED registration processes
Obtaining accurate, detailed information about a patient's insurance coverage is the goal of any registrar, regardless of the patient's point of entry. Clearly, though, emergency department (ED) patients pose some unique challenges.