Financial Triage

Innovative ways that hospitals are looking at patient finances

PARKLAND HEALTH & HOSPITAL SYSTEM, DALLAS

Assigns those being scheduled for surgery and other services a risk "score" based on income, debt, available credit, and other factors. Low-scoring patients who don't qualify for charity care sometimes may be turned away.

PIEDMONT HEALTHCARE, ATLANTA

Screens some emergency room patients for eligibility for public assistance or charity care and predicts the likelihood of their paying medical bills. Hospital says doctors assess patients' medical needs before profiling is done.

RESURRECTION HEALTH CARE, CHICAGO

Charges uninsured emergency room patients $200 at discharge if a software program determines they have a high or medium propensity to pay health-care bills. Hospital says scores aren't shared with doctors and nurses.

Source: The hospitals