Doctor and dentist offices have long required patients to pay insurance co-payments or make full payment when being treated. That billing philosophy has now found its way into hospital emergency departments, including Henry County Hospital. Other area hospitals are also operating under a similar procedure. “The leadership team at Henry County Hospital started planning for collecting co-payments and deposits about a year ago,” said Mary Clapp, Controller at Henry County Hospital. “We just rolled it out recently.”
Patients in the emergency department are now being asked to pay their co-payment after treatment has been rendered. “For a person who doesn’t have insurance, we are asking for a $25 deposit,” said Mary Wilson, Patient Financial Services Manager. The $25 deposit, or down payment, was selected because $25 is standard co-payment for most insurance plans. “If a patient can’t make the deposit, then we will refer them to Sue Barnes, Financial Counselor, or they can apply for assistance of various types.” There are two assistance programs, the Hospital Care Assurance Program from the state of Ohio and the Henry County Hospital financial assistance program. “We are always developing new plans to help our patients pay bills. “If a patient qualifies for the Hospital Care Assurance Program, which is a state-funded program, we are will return any out-of-pocket money paid by any patient,” said Wilson.
To qualify for HCAP, a patient’s gross income must fall within 100 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $22,050 for a family of four. Henry County Hospital’s assistance program helps those with or without insurance, whose income falls within 200 percent of the federal poverty level or $44,100.
“I think it helps the patient not to have to worry about getting a large bill later or getting phone calls if the bill is not paid,” Clapp said. “It is less expensive for Henry County Hospital to collect the bill up front.” Speaking with patients while they are still on the Henry County Hospital premises enables employees to gauge whether patients will be in need of financial assistance. “What it does allow us to do is to have that conversation up front and to identify if they need assistance with their bill,” said Wilson. “It is easier for us to start to counsel people up front. It takes that burden off of them from worrying about the bill and what options they might have.” In addition, the new procedure will help reduce the cost to the hospital.
“While we ask for co-payments or deposits; we take care of all patients, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Kim Bordenkircher, Chief Executive Officer.
Henry County Hospital also accepts payments at any point of registration throughout the hospital. Bills for Henry County Hospital can also be paid online at www.henrycountyhospital.org click on “Pay my bill.” If you have any questions please contact Sue Barnes, Financial Counselor at Henry County Hospital, 419-591-3813 or sueb@henrycountyhospital.org .
