SO, what is it... 
Charity Care or Bad Debt?

I attend HFMA and AAHAM events ALL the time. One particular presentation I’ve seen quite a few times has stuck out to me because my company does both large and small self-pay receivable collections (patient responsibility after insurance) and bad debt collections. The woman who does the presentation is a friend of mine from a hospital in Philadelphia. She always does SO great at this presentation, I took notes and decided to make a spin-off to her presentation to share with those of you unable to get the chance to hear her speak.

It just ain't gettin' any easier is it?

Over the past few years, we’ve seen the Affordable Care Act receive much scrutiny and attention for its individual and employer mandate requirements. With the ACA presenting so many details and implications to understand and address, the Internal Revenue Service’s proposed 501(r) might have seemed buried under a heap of your other patient accounting and revenue cycle priorities.  But the new code addendum has the potential to significantly impact tax-exempt hospitals’ ability to bill and collect payment if not properly addressed.  In the midst of ICD-10’s certain implementation later this year and the insurance denial complexities it almost promises to deliver, you’re likely looking to avoid any additional delayed or forgone bill payments, right? Getting familiar with the new requirements and taking action to prepare is crucial to minimizing any negative consequences.