Hilltop Analyses Lead to Increased Access to Care

Hilltop’s work for the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) analyzing Maryland hospitals’ financial assistance and debt collection policies informed the modification of a law enacted in 2009 that requires acute care hospitals to establish state-approved debt collection policies and provide medically necessary care to patients with family incomes below 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL). The legislation, taking effect October 1, 2010, applies the debt collection requirements to chronic care hospitals and requires hospitals to provide reduced-cost care to patients with family incomes below 500% of the FPL if they face financial hardship—medical debt incurred over a 12-month period that exceeds 25% of their income. This legislation will decrease the payment burden for those patients who are struggling financially, thus increasing access to care. Hilltop provided in-depth analyses of these policies and practices, provided consultation to the HSCRC work group that developed the recommendations for the Maryland legislature, and testified before the legislature to discuss its findings. To see the HSCRC report that includes Hilltop’s findings, click here.

April 1, 2010