California Hospitals Collect More From Uninsured Patients Than From Medicare, Study Finds
Researchers concluded that the net prices paid by uninsured patients to hospitals increased from 2001 to 2005 because the uninsured paid the same or more than Medicare, and during that period, Medicare increased payments to hospitals by 13%. Glenn Melnick, a USC professor and RAND economist, said, "Hospitals have started to adjust prices to the uninsured somewhat, but not substantially," adding, "The study shows they continue to raise prices to the uninsured during this period."
However, hospital officials "criticized the study for failing to reflect recent changes the industry has implemented to provide some relief for the uninsured," according to the Chronicle. In addition, consumer advocates said that because the study relied on averages, it does not reflect that some individuals "diligently pay large bills while others don't pay at all" and that some can pay two to four times the rate paid by Medicare, according to Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California.
The study was funded by the USC Center for Health Financing, Policy and Management and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (Colliver, San Francisco Chronicle, 2/5).
An abstract of the study is available online.
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California obtine mai multe spitale de la neasigurate pacienþi decât de la Medicare, studiu constatã - California Hospitals Collect More From Uninsured Patients Than From Medicare, Study Finds - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate