The folks who invented the credit score for lenders are hard at work developing a similar tool for hospitals and other health care providers.
The project, dubbed “MedFICO” in some early press reports, will aid hospitals in assessing a patient’s ability to pay their medical bills. But privacy advocates are worried that the notorious errors that have caused frequent criticism of the credit system will also cause trouble with any attempt to create a health-related risk score. They also fear that a low score might impact the quality of the health care that patients receive.
From personal experience, I do believe there are health care organizations who do check credit reports. My neurologist referred me to the Mayo Clinic for further evaluation of an ongoing problem. Her referral was simply a call, giving my name, insurance info and phone number and a brief description of my problem. No records were sent. I received a call from the clinic to get all of my demographic info (which of course includes SSN). They are not a "contracted" in-network member of my insurance company, however I had already received instructions from my carrier on getting pre-authorization and approval for in-network payment.
I advised the intake person of this and that I realized I would be responsible for payment of any out-of-network, non-contracted amounts and was prepared to pay this up front.
Less than 24 hours later, I received a call back to say that they "couldn't offer me any mroe services than my neurologist was providing" - and she referred me why?
I haven't had a chance to check my credit report, but I would be willing to bet that there is an inquiry from the Mayo on it. And - because of previous financial difficulties (serveral years ago) with my husband's business, our report, while improving, is still less than stellar. So, are they already checking? I'm just saying.............
My uninsured sister required a craniotomy 3 years ago. She was upfront with all involved and sat down with all prior to surgery to organize payment plans, her intention being that as she gradually paid off the lower balances (pathologist, anesthesiologist, etc), she would add that money to the payments she was already making to the neurosurgeon & the hospital. She made monthly payments, as promised.
After a few months, both the neurosurgeon & the hospital demanded higher monthly payments, despite the original agreements. Both continued to cash the checks she was sending monthly. Neurosurgeon's office refused her further treatment - abandoned her on Dilantin without guidance in tapering off. (I'm entirely sure the MD knew nothing of this decision, which was undoubtedly made by an office manager or billingservice) Hospital sued her. She ended up filing bankruptcy. She is now living with me.....
If you notice what doctor's offices really are, you will see they are just insurance processing centers.
:yeahthat:
And it's amazing just how quickly their attitudes change, as soon as they discover you are just ONE of the 43 million uninsured in this country...as I am.
And, the more I read about MedFICO, the more I am convinced that my credit history (which was trashed, due to my house being foreclosed on in 2006 :idntdt:), had EVERYTHING to do with me being turned away at a scheduled doctor's appointment last October.
While they may have had a legal right to turn me away because I didn't have the money to pay them up front due to established business practices (or whatever), there was absolutely no excuse for the humiliation I had to endure in the process. The fact of the matter is, I was treated like a deadbeat, when all I wanted to do was see a doctor.
I empathize with you CsMgr1. I've been treated like trash when I wanted to pay with cash because I was uninsured. When the costs became more than my bank account could bear, I stopped seeking care, and ended up being hauled in to the ER by ambulance from my job. I stay away from medical care as much as possible. This is just one of the reasons why.
Memejo
1 Post
From personal experience, I do believe there are health care organizations who do check credit reports. My neurologist referred me to the Mayo Clinic for further evaluation of an ongoing problem. Her referral was simply a call, giving my name, insurance info and phone number and a brief description of my problem. No records were sent. I received a call from the clinic to get all of my demographic info (which of course includes SSN). They are not a "contracted" in-network member of my insurance company, however I had already received instructions from my carrier on getting pre-authorization and approval for in-network payment.
I advised the intake person of this and that I realized I would be responsible for payment of any out-of-network, non-contracted amounts and was prepared to pay this up front.
Less than 24 hours later, I received a call back to say that they "couldn't offer me any mroe services than my neurologist was providing" - and she referred me why?
I haven't had a chance to check my credit report, but I would be willing to bet that there is an inquiry from the Mayo on it. And - because of previous financial difficulties (serveral years ago) with my husband's business, our report, while improving, is still less than stellar. So, are they already checking? I'm just saying.............