The Oregon Association of Hospitals announced every health system in the state will now provide a cost estimate for any planned procedure.
The initiative is expected to reduce “sticker shock” for potential patients. They say it will help uninsured and out-of-network patients understand the potential costs for services.
Amber Felton is with PeaceHealth Medical Center. She describes how hospital charges are estimated.
Felton: “Let’s say one patient comes in and has a particular knee surgery and another patient comes in and has that same type surgery. And we’re taking an average over 50 patients-- maybe 200 patients. So that’s what allows us to get pretty close.”
Felton says hundreds have already called for estimates. There is also a little-known financial assistance program to help people when they can’t afford to pay for needed procedures
Free Estimate Line for PeaceHealth hospitals:
https://www.peacehealth.org/patient-financial-services
Click "Request an Estimate"
Or call: 844-212-1049
Copyright 2016 KLCC
