Some Ohio hospitals changing policies on co-pays

Some hospital systems in Ohio have begun requesting co-pays from patients, even in the emergency room, before treatment is given (Source: “Some hospitals asking for co-pays upfront,” Dayton Daily News, April 30, 2009).

The Kettering Health Network hospitals in the Dayton area began asking patients for up-front co-pays earlier this year. The network said co-pays accounted for about 20 percent of the $39.1 million in out-of-pocket expenses billed to patients. However, patients paid just 6.5 percent of the total co-pays owed, with the rest written off as bad debt or charity care.

“Wine and cheese improve with age, but accounts receivable do not,” said David Miller, chief financial officer of the Children’s Medical Center of Dayton, which also has begun asking for up-front co-pays.