title: Policies and practices for uninsured patients practical strategies.
abstract: Maintaining the healthcare organization's charitable mission to the community is best served by having formal policies in place. Must-haves include: A written charity care policy tailored to the organization. Financial assistance policies. Processes for identifying and communicating with patients who may need financial assistance. Formal discounting and collection policies and practices that take into account every patient's ability to pay.
authors.forename: Carole J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Bolster
mesh_terms: D005377:Financial Management, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D016134:Organizational Policy; D017664:Uncompensated Care; D014481:United States