Christus announces policy to deal with uninsured patients

In honor of national 'Cover the Uninsured Week,' Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth, St. Mary and Jasper Memorial are announcing a new program which provides discounts to uninsured patients receiving medically necessary acute care services, who do not otherwise qualify for private or government-sponsored insurance. The program was instituted system-wide in January by Christus Health, parent company of Christus Hospital - St. Elizabeth, St. Mary and Jasper Memorial.

With the Southeast Texas region currently claiming one-of-the highest uninsured rates in the nation, at an astonishing 27 percent, compared to the national average of 15 percent; the new discount policy will address the plight of many of the area's uninsured. The Christus Southeast Texas region will provide uninsured patients with prices that are similar to those set for other groups, including government and private payers. The discounts will be offered across all 10 Christus U.S. regions, encompassing approximately 25 hospitals.

The new discount will result in significant savings for uninsured patients who will receive pricing discounts more aligned with average costs paid by the majority of insured patients in the area. Most of these patients will then be enrolled in managed care plans or governmentsponsored programs which entitle them to receive a discount on their hospital bill. Patients enrolled in managed care or government-sponsored plans benefit from lower costs for services negotiated through contracts made between the managed care companies and health care providers such as Christus Hospital - St. Elizabeth, St. Mary and Jasper Memorial.

Uninsured patients may also qualify for further discounts off the price list based on income levels indexed to the 2007 annual update of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) federal poverty guidelines.

Under the discount program, the entire fee for services will be waived for uninsured patients whose annual household income is less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, and discounted on a sliding scale for those whose annual household income is above 200 percent of federal poverty level.

For example, based on the current federal poverty levels, a family of four without insurance and with a total annual household income of $41,300 or less would qualify for free services as charity care. Uninsured patients could qualify for discounted care at a Christus Hospital - St. Elizabeth, St. Mary and Jasper Memorial as follows:

t With household income at 201 percent to 300 percent of poverty level - Patient is eligible for a 50 percent discount of the new price list in most cases.

t With household income at 301 percent to 400 percent of poverty level - Patient is eligible for a 30 percent discount of the price list in most cases.

t Uninsured patients, whose annual household income falls at 401 percent of the federal poverty level and above, are not entitled to discounts off the price of care.

The rate of uninsured Americans is at an all-time high, particularly in Texas, which ranks first among those states with the highest percentage of uninsured residents.

In implementing the discount policy, Christus Hospital - St. Elizabeth, St. Mary and Jasper Memorial, will first attempt to qualify uninsured patients for Medicaid, other federal or state assistance or charity care. If an uninsured patient does not qualify for these programs, the uninsured discount will be applied. Documentation will be provided to patients regarding the new policy, and signs will be placed at each hospital to inform patients about the policy.

The new policy expands a former policy held by Christus Hospital regarding its care for the uninsured, and allows the hospital to provide a more understandable and universal discount for uninsured patients.

"Fear of a hospital bill should never get in the way of essential health services," added Father Jerome Robinson, regional vice-president for Mission Integration at Christus Hospital - St. Elizabeth and St. Mary. "The new discount policy is just one way Christus is working to help our uninsured patients seek and receive the quality health care they deserve."