Allina Health, a large nonprofit health system based in Minnesota, announced Friday that it will stop withholding care for patients with outstanding medical debt as it continues its policy of cutting services for those who earn at least $4,500 in outstanding balances. Let’s “re-check”. Bill.
The health system will now temporarily stop the practice but will not restore care for indebted patients who have already lost access.
Although hospitals in Allina treated anyone in emergency rooms, other services were cut off for indebted patients, including children and those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and depression, The New York Times reported last week. Patients were not allowed to return until they had repaid their debt in full.
Alina’s chief executive Lisa Shannon called the move a “thoughtful pause” while the company re-examines the policy.
Dr. Anlina primary care physician in Wadden Heights, Minn. Matt Hoffman said he was encouraged by the change and hoped that Alina would eventually make more significant improvements in how it treats indebted patients.
“I hope this is not just a temporary pause until the summer is off,” Dr Hoffman said. “I hope they do the right thing, and reinstate patients who were already terminated.”
Minnesota Public Radio informed earlier on policy change.
Allina Health has 13 hospitals and more than 90 clinics in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Thanks to its nonprofit status, Alina saved nearly $266 million in state, local and federal taxes in 2020, according to the Loan Institute, a think tank that studies health care.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has asked patients to contact his office if they have been affected by Elena’s policies.
“I read the New York Times article with great concern and am reviewing it closely,” Mr Ellison said a statement A local television station, KARE 11. “Alina Hospital is bound by agreement to refrain from aggressive billing practices and to provide charity care when patients need it and qualify for it, as are all Minnesota hospitals.”
