In Surveys Note Americans’ Medical Debt Grows as Economy Worsens,
Workforce.com
writes on how the economic downturn is leading to an increase in unpaid
medical bills. Large employers may end up subsidizing bills in the coming
months through premium increases and spikes in medical costs. The healthcare expert CFO of Fletcher Allen Health Care, Roger Deshaies, says charity care has increased 10 percent in the year ended September 30 because many patients with high-deductible plans are unable to pay the deductible. “If they have a deductible of $1,500, their chances of meeting that is limited at a time when heat and fuel are going up considerably,” he said.
The hospital system, which projects charity care costs will double next year if the economic downturn deepens, is already approaching health insurance companies seeking increases in the amount they are reimbursed for care provided to people with employer-sponsored health plans.
