title: Case study: an Internet answer.
abstract: Michigan-based Munson Healthcare provided patients with access to their billing information on the Internet. Focus groups helped the provider select a system that allows patients to view their account information, check on the status of insurance or a claim, and access educational materials. Munson is receiving payment up to 26 days sooner than with paper methods, and billing inquiries from consumers have declined from 12,000 phone calls a month to 6,000. Providers should research their markets needs and weigh resource constraints when considering development of a similar program.
authors.affiliation: Munson Healthcare, Traverse City, Michigan, USA. serge@sergemann.com
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Talaga
mesh_terms: D005377:Financial Management, Hospital / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007344:Insurance Claim Reporting; D020407:Internet; D006278:Medicare; D008824:Michigan; D009096:Multi-Institutional Systems / Q000191:economics; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D033283:Patient Access to Records; D010350:Patient Credit and Collection; D016730:Program Development; D014481:United States