Epilepsy Talk
Hospitals Criticized For Keeping Quiet On Charity Care… | December 12, 2019
“Too many nonprofit hospitals fail to adequately publicize their charity-care programs, two advocacy groups say in a survey report.
While the vast majority of the 99 hospitals surveyed by the Access Project and Community Catalyst mentioned the availability of free or discounted care on their websites, or when contacted by phone, less than half provided application forms and only about one-quarter included information on requirements to qualify for such care…” according to Julie Appleby, from NPR. For further information click here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s…08&ft=1&f=1001
In addition, according to The Washington Post, more than half of nonprofit medical centers do not tell uninsured and under-insured patients that they could be eligible for free or discounted care before attempting to collect unpaid bills from them, citing a University of Michigan study.
Researchers at the school’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, reviewed the tax returns of 1,800 nonprofit hospitals to assess compliance with the Affordable Care Act. The requirements include having written policies on who can get discounted care and notifying such patients about their eligibility.
According to another study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, only 42 percent of hospitals tell patients about charity care options before seeking payment from them. One in five hospitals were reporting indebted patients to credit agencies, placing liens on their properties, or garnishing wages. https://www.philanthropy.com/article/Many-Hospitals-Keeping-Quiet/234213
To subscribe to Epilepsy Talk and get the latest articles by email, simply go to the bottom box of the right column and click on “Follow.”
Tags: charity care, criticized, free or discounted care, indebted patients, nonprofit hospitals, under-insured, unpaid bills
42 Comments »
Leave a comment
About the author
Epilepsy Talk 
Great story, Phylis. I really like your blog. I’m just reading your profile. I have a similar story. I would love to interview you for my blog if you’re up for it. It’s thisisepilepsy.com. Check it out when you get a chance. Let me know!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Beth Geraci — December 12, 2019 @ 9:49 AM
I’m kind of private, but let me know what you have in mind.
I like your blog and I have some personal stories on my website that I could share with you.
LikeLike
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — December 12, 2019 @ 10:06 AM
Reblogged this on This Is Epilepsy and commented:
This is such a great blog, always full of timely and useful information about epilepsy. It’s worth a follow!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Comment by Beth Geraci — December 12, 2019 @ 9:51 AM
Wow!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 12, 2019 @ 1:08 PM
What’s even more alarming is the close ties that hospitals and insurance are forging. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — December 12, 2019 @ 1:25 PM
Yes and PHARMACIES AS WELL!!!!!!! I’m still waiting for my medications from almost a week ago!!!!!!! Between the provincial, federal and insurance companies they leave us ALL HANGING AS WE ARE ALL BEING JEOPARDIZED TERMS OF OUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING!!!!!!! Maybe their hopeing the SPIDER BITE WILL DO ME IN!!!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 12, 2019 @ 1:36 PM
You can always offer them the venom of a spider bite! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — December 12, 2019 @ 3:03 PM
I tried too! But I do have to admit I had one heck of a sharp pain in the back and side of my head lastnight!!!!! Lol I still think I’m allergic to neurologists lol 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 12, 2019 @ 3:06 PM
Lol 😂 Phylis I think I’m too toxic for a venom spider bite right now 😉😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 12, 2019 @ 5:23 PM
Kathy, I better get my order in then! All I want for Xmas is my … haha.
Part of the problem causing a shortage of medication in Canada is because prices for a lot of our medications are much cheaper here than elsewhere, and the federal government has to figure out how much is needed to satisfy Canadians needs plus still letting those who can’t afford their meds south of the border get what they need. For instance, the inhaler I needed last spring was $130 CDN. In the US the exact same one was over $300 US. And they pay 10x the amount we do for the exact same insulin.
Crazy, huh?
I’m pretty sure my AED is much more expensive there too.
I hope your medications arrive quickly.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Comment by Marlyn — December 12, 2019 @ 4:49 PM
OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!! I hear that’s exactly where we here in Canada are headed as well!! Also that that’s the direction the insurance companies, federal and provincial provinces and governments have us here in Canada heading towards!! By having our insurance companies and governments changed from “genetic medications” to what they now call “biologics”. Right now all I want for Christmas IS THE PROPER MEDICATIONS LOL 😂 AND NO INFECTED SPIDER BITES!!!!!!! 🙏🏼🦅😇😘. P.S. I never realized how much an injection of antibiotics HURT THE HEAD, NECK AND STOMACH!!!!!!! Thank you SO MUCH FOR THE CLARIFICATION MARLYN!! And PLEASE TAKE CARE AND HAVE A VERY GOOD DAY TODAY!! 😊🙏🏼🦅😇😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 12, 2019 @ 5:20 PM
I know that some people in the US do mail order through Canada. The prices are great, and believe it or not, so is the service!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — December 12, 2019 @ 5:32 PM
Nice 😊 I’m happy to hear that 😃. I’ve never done mail order before and I wasn’t aware of that. Thank you for telling me 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 12, 2019 @ 5:38 PM
The funny part was I did mention I was allergic to latex and what did they put in my hand with an I.V.? Lol latex!! So I ended up with hives not only on my leg but in my finger and top of my hand as well. They had to pull it out. I opted for the straight injection!! EASY PEAZY!! Lol that’s the needle part, but the rest I’m trying to stay awake for!! Lol 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 12, 2019 @ 1:50 PM
Better you should know what they’re doing and stay awake. (Ya never know, do you?)
Why didn’t they give you the straight injection to begin with?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — December 12, 2019 @ 3:07 PM
In all honesty I don’t even remember how I got home when I finally did go to the hospital!!!!! Kind of made me wonder if this is going to happen to me everyday I have to go to the hospital (for my daily injection) and how long I have to keep going?! Lol of course me being me when I was told where I have to get this injection I said “well why did you wait so long? Just give me the shot, but don’t get jealous if you hit only muscle!!”. 🤣😂. My husband kicked the bed!! Lol 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 12, 2019 @ 3:12 PM
I apologize I was just upset that they just didn’t give me the shot from the get go!! But like i said “I don’t remember coming home from the hospital because of an allergy shot they gave me!!!!!!!”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 12, 2019 @ 3:45 PM
😦 😦 😦
LikeLike
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — December 12, 2019 @ 4:22 PM
Obviously, the “non-profit foundations” are disguised set of corporate empires, wearing different hats for tax-free business license & exemption for their profit making enterprises & business practices.
Therefore to avoid IRS’s deep screening & monitoring of their profit-driven business activity, they end up depriving “free access, information & applications” for medical care to low income poor patients, who may end up forced to seek expensive medical treatment to save their lives.
Sadly, there’s no legal consequences to pay for this criminal fraud.
Gerrie
LikeLiked by 2 people
Comment by BahreNegash Eritrea — December 13, 2019 @ 7:47 AM
OH THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU GERRIE!!!!!!! 🙏🏼🦅😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 14, 2019 @ 1:10 PM
Yes Kathy,,, Imagine the poor helpless patients desperately trying to save their lives, losing their lifetime assets & homes for reverse mortgage to the “non-profit foundations”?
I understand it’s hard to question the integrity of the “non-profit foundations”, who has been brainwashing & manipulating society to believe the “good intentions, devine mission & humane intervention of the non-profit foundations”, but in the end
somebody has got to say it, like it is.
And the more people find out the true colors of the “non-profit foundations”, the less expectations, disappointments & frustrations the patients & their families will come to experience in the painful frantic moments of their lives.
Thank you for your understanding.
Gerrie
LikeLiked by 2 people
Comment by BahreNegash Eritrea — December 15, 2019 @ 8:00 AM
I always donate to the non-profit organizations based on everything I have seen and people I love have been through. In fact my husband has questioned me in the past of course up until it came to up close home emergency. We never know when it’s going to be one of us, our family members, loved ones and friends. It’s part of being a human. 😊🙏🏼🦅😇😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 15, 2019 @ 9:21 AM
If you ARE considering contributing to a non-profit, you might try checking then out with Charity Navigator https://www.charitynavigator.org/ which basically evaluates and grades many charities in terms of efficacy and exactly where the money goes. To the CEO? Or to the bottom line? To giving? Or towards maintaining assets?
It’s a real eye-opener.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — December 15, 2019 @ 7:12 PM
In my case I like to to actually ask (the people or places) when I am able to what they actually need. I like helping that way then I can actually see for myself where everything goes 😘. I can’t do that often so if I can or when I can I like to do it right away. For example here in Alberta, Canada I always make it a point to save for our “STARS AND OTHER AIR AMBULANCES” 🙏🏼🦅❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼. As we have to purchase a lot of our own medications as well. We came to discover our insurance company’s don’t always cover what they say they will. So better to be safe than to be sorry 😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 15, 2019 @ 7:22 PM
I try to donate close to home, where I can SEE the actual impact my donation is making.
Example: I send $25 a month to my local food bank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — December 15, 2019 @ 7:39 PM
I like that 😘. IF I CAN I also like donating to people who need the most at that period in time!! Maybe for gas, food, lodging and medications 💞
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 15, 2019 @ 7:45 PM
It’s another case of follow the money. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — December 13, 2019 @ 10:05 AM
Oh ya Phylis “Topiramate” is part of the “QUDEXY” family I guess. I thought you should know. I’m just wondering if maybe the extended release version may have been better that’s all. Also I am starting to titrate on to it starting tomorrow. 🙏🏼🦅😇🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 13, 2019 @ 6:30 PM
From my personal understanding, with the extended release, you actually need LESS, because the drug releases over an extended period of time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — December 13, 2019 @ 7:30 PM
Goodmorning Phylis 😊. Well I started the titration today. They also put it to topiramate 25mg. So I take my regular medications and add 1 25mg tablet of topiramate looks like for a week. I’m thinking I’ll try it for a bit, but I must admit thismorning WAS NOW EASY AT ALL ON MY STOMACH!!!!!! Oh wow that hurt badly. I’m already thinking the extended release WILL BE EASIER!! But I’ll see 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 14, 2019 @ 1:08 PM
Your stomach needs some “user friendly” bacteria to fight off the “bad guys”. That’s where Probiotics come in.
Probiotics — Food for Thought https://epilepsytalk.com/2019/02/10/probiotics-food-for-thought/
They’ll help calm down your digestive system…and keep the key nutrients in your stomach.
Available easily at Amazon.com you can try these: https://smile.amazon.com/Probiotics-Formulated-Probiotic-Supplement-Acidophilus/dp/B079H53D2B/ref=sxin_4_ac_d_rm?ac_md=0-0-cHJvYmlvdGljcw%3D%3D-ac_d_rm&keywords=probiotics&pd_rd_i=B079H53D2B&pd_rd_r=30748995-2e9c-48d7-9ab7-99eb35e372b9&pd_rd_w=dcqra&pd_rd_wg=hK5BX&pf_rd_p=6d29ef56-fc35-411a-8a8e-7114f01518f7&pf_rd_r=YNZ9DX4VV2VM3M5ZQ0QN&psc=1&qid=1576454497
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — December 15, 2019 @ 7:04 PM
Thank you Phylis 🙏🏼🦅😇❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. I’m usually pretty tough on my family about NOT THROWING IN THE TOWEL!! But I have to admit “I’m pretty tempted too”!! Thank you so much I greatly appreciate you and all you do to help us 😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 15, 2019 @ 7:15 PM
This is a breakthrough on Earth.
LikeLike
Comment by Evette — December 13, 2019 @ 6:54 PM
What makes you think THAT?
LikeLike
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — December 13, 2019 @ 7:31 PM
OKAY THIS IS NOT EASY NOR FUN!!!!!!! Talk about ONE NASTY HEADACHE and half a day of sleep
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 14, 2019 @ 4:44 PM
Deep breaths and listen to your body.
It may be the med or it may be the sheer exhaustion of your body getting accustomed to a new addition in its chemical make-up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — December 15, 2019 @ 7:29 PM
Yes that could very well be!! Plus having an infection and one more week of oral antibiotics isn’t helping out either!! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅😇😇😇😇😇💗💗💗💗💗
LikeLike
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 15, 2019 @ 7:57 PM
Actually I pretty much slept for the whole day yesterday!! Granted I smoke but I sure the heck couldn’t figure why on earth people would want to ever take any drugs they don’t have too!! Maybe having and infection at the same time didn’t help, but I swear if I wasn’t already on so many medications I would have taken a gravol!!! I must admit I think I did ask if there was an easier way to do this?! Because I am not one to be so dizzy, nauseous, and sleep for a whole day!!!!! Apparently this is normal and will happen everytime I increase my medication until I am at the levels I’m supposed to be. Then they’ll start decreasing the tegretol and Dilantin after that. That is not fun at all and is VERY SCAREY!!!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 15, 2019 @ 8:54 AM
Unfortunately, this is the way the introduction to a new med goes.
Your body has to get used to the med and it’s tough sledding until you get to your proper therapeutic level.
Hang in there, Kathy. You CAN do this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — December 15, 2019 @ 7:34 PM
THANK YOU PHYLIS!!!!!!! That means MORE THAN WORDS CAN EVER SAY!!!!!!! ❤️🙏🏼🦅😇💗. Lol 😂 I’m a bit of a “rebel in disguise” 😎 and SOMETIMES IT FEELS REALLY NICE TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDS WHERE I’M COMING FROM IN MY SHOES!!!!!!! I have NEVER had a new medication before so this is HONESTLY A PANICKY FEELING!!!!!!! When I’m awake. I can’t believe they want to bring this up to 1000mgs!!!!!!!!!!! 😳😳😳😳😳 that almost feels like it enough to TRANQUILIZE A HORSE!!!!!!! Or maybe 11 of them!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by Kathy S.B — December 15, 2019 @ 7:55 PM
This is off-topic, but I’m not finding an answer online. All answers much appreciated. If you are driving and your passenger has a grand mal seizure and is wearing a seatbelt, besides pulling over, how do you proceed?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Comment by HoDo — December 16, 2019 @ 11:49 AM
I would pull over and remove the passenger from the car and administer the regular first aid. If they are not improved in 5 minutes, call an ambulance.
Does that help at all?
If you can’t remove the person from the car, call 911 immediately.
LikeLike
Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — December 16, 2019 @ 12:01 PM