Patient supply charges: still a revenue source?
Patient supply charges, billed to patients for the consumption of medical/surgical supplies, have been in use since the first medical insurance programs were established. But, as healthcare costs have escalated, so have supply charges. In turn, initiatives to limit supply charges have been promulgated, and healthcare financial managers should be sensitive to the fact that the cost of a patient supply charge program can exceed the real contribution generated by such a program.
Kowalski-Dickow Associates, Milwaukee, WI.
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Hurwitz
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000191:economics*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005249:Fees and Charges; D007182:Income; D008421:Materials Management, Hospital / Q000191:economics*; D010350:Patient Credit and Collection / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States