Hospitals are now requiring patients to pay upfront before receiving care, a trend that is becoming more common. This shift is causing financial strain on patients, who are already struggling with rising deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.

Financial Burden on Patients

Thomas Zordani, a patient from Denver, experienced this firsthand when he was asked to make a $5,000 preservice deposit at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Despite having insurance, Zordani was told that the clinic did not accept his plan and was automatically designated as a self-pay patient.

Experts say that this trend is a result of hospitals trying to collect more payments upfront, as patients are increasingly unable to pay their deductibles. Richard Gundling, a senior vice president at the Healthcare Financial Management Association, notes that patients are being asked to essentially self-insure, which is leading to a bigger issue of access to care.

Consumer Protections

While there are some consumer protections in place, such as the requirement that hospitals cannot demand upfront payment in emergency situations, other protections are less clear. Patients who receive in-network care may have some recourse in their contracts with their insurers, but those who receive out-of-network care may not have the same protections.

Experts advise patients to check their insurance contracts and to be aware of their financial responsibilities before receiving care. With the rising costs of healthcare, it is essential for patients to be informed and prepared to navigate the complex healthcare system.

Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.