title: What's it worth?
abstract: Patients without effective coverage frequently must pay charges for medical services that are higher than the hospital's contracted rates. A national survey of hospitals shows great variation in how charges are set and accommodations made for patients with low income. The government is taking a more active role in examining charging practices. Hospitals can take several steps to help stave off government intervention.
authors.affiliation: Northeastern Hospital, Philadelphia, USA. leftonrb@te.temple.edu
authors.forename: Ray B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Lefton
mesh_terms: D003361:Cost Allocation; D005377:Financial Management, Hospital / Q000379:methods*; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000592:standards*; D017722:Hospital Charges / Q000592:standards*; D007350:Insurance, Hospitalization; D010350:Patient Credit and Collection; D014481:United States