Hospitals' Self-Pay Receivables Increasing

A recent study conducted by Healthcare Financial Pulse reports an increase in self-pay receivables compared to the prior fiscal year.
The study reports more than one-third of hospitals who noted that they had seen an increase stated the increase was 10% or greater over the prior fiscal year. The study notes that small hospitals were the most likely to have the greatest percentage of increases.

To combat the changing payment environment, 72% of respondents report devoting moderate or substantial efforts toward point-of-service collections.

According to the report, respondents indicate the difficulty in estimating the cost of services to be received is the most significant barrier to more extensive point-of-service collections.

Source: 2009 study conducted by Healthcare Financial Pulse