In a study of 151 tax-exempt hospitals reported yesterday in JAMA Network Open, 84% updated their charity care policies between 2019 and 2021. Among the 77 hospitals that made substantive changes, most made their policies more generous, such as expanding charity care and expand eligibility criteria. Income cutoffs for free and discounted care were the criteria most frequently changed. Sixteen policies expanded presumptive eligibility, which uses certain patient characteristics such as homelessness or lack of employment to shorten the application process. Researchers also noted that hospitals made generous revisions to asset tests, residency requirements and the duration of charity care eligibility. Many of these changes are targeted toward the needs of underinsured individuals.

Related News Articles

Headline
The Senate Finance Committee Feb. 4 voted 14-13 to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. A…
Headline
Respiratory illness activity remains high across the country, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal flu…
Headline
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Jan. 13 announced that it terminated efforts to establish a final COVID-19 safety standard to protect workers…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services Dec. 10 amended the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act declaration for COVID-19, extending liability…
Headline
AHA's latest social media toolkit for encouraging vaccination against the flu and COVID-19 provides fall-themed social media posts and graphics. Download the…
Headline
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week endorsed a recommendation for people aged 65 and older and for immunocompromised individuals to…