The policies available on the Obamacare exchanges are hastening this trend. Many enrollees are opting for the bronze and silver plans, which often carry deductibles upwards of $5,000 and $2,000, respectively.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bronze plans are scaring a lot of administrators because the patient liability is so large,\u201d\u009d said Debra Lowe, administrative director of revenue cycle at Ohio State University\u2019s Wexner Medical Center. \u201cPatients are unaware they have this high deductible.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
Upfront payments aren\u2019t usually required, but more hospitals are asking patients to settle the bill in advance. If patients can\u2019t afford the charges, some hospitals place them into financial assistance programs, such as payment plans or low-interest loans. Others help them sign up for Medicaid or individual coverage on the Obamacare exchanges. Patients can still opt to wait until after the bill goes through their insurance.<\/p>\n