On Tuesday, hospitals across the country will post their charges for medical services online. Staffers at Newman Regional Health caution that step may not accurately reflect a patient’s out-of-pocket cost.
As part of KVOE’s 8:05 am newscast Monday, Connie Geiger and Danica Case went through what people can expect to see as well as the difference between medical charges and actual patient bills. Case says the “chargemaster,” as it’s called, will show how much each service costs. However, due to variables like the length of a hospital stay, it won’t reflect a patient’s out-of-pocket total.
The chargemaster also won’t reflect other variables like insurance status — or lack thereof. Newman Regional Health gives all uninsured payments a 20 percent discount, which will not be on the chargemaster.
Geiger is anticipating a lot of questions, and she says her staff is ready.
Case says a patient’s deductible and co-insurance will be a more accurate reflection of those out-of-pocket costs instead of the chargemaster.
For more information, go online to www.newmanrh.org and click on the “About Us” link on the home page. You can also call 343-6800 ext. 1153.
