These five health systems changed their billing procedures to accommodate patients financially affected by the partial government shutdown:
Norton Healthcare to waive ER copays, deductibles for government workers
Louisville, Ky.-based Norton Healthcare will assist furloughed government workers needing emergency medical care by waiving their copays and deductibles. Effective Jan. 21, the billing change extends to 14 of Norton's immediate care centers and emergency rooms at six hospitals. It also applies to online and video visits.
CHI Franciscan waives copays, deductibles for federal employees affected by government shutdown
Tacoma, Wash.-based CHI Franciscan Health said it will waive copays and deductibles for federal workers and their family members affected by the partial government shutdown. This applies to people receiving care at the health system's 11 acute care hospitals and more than 200 primary clinics.
Hackensack Meridian drops ER copays, deductibles for government workers
Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health will waive copays for furloughed federal employees and their families who receive emergency care at its 17 hospitals and urgent care centers.
Michigan system will waive ER deductibles, copays for furloughed federal workers
Southfield, Mich.-based Beaumont Health revealed Jan. 22 that it is waiving emergency center and urgent care center copays and deductibles for federal workers who have been furloughed or are not being paid for work during the partial federal government shutdown.
Ohio health system offers financial help to government workers amid shutdown
Cincinnati-based TriHealth is pausing its billing for patients affected by the partial U.S. government shutdown. System spokesperson Mike Mattingly said federal workers who tell the medical office reception desk they are government employees are eligible for financial assistance under the system's charity care policy. TriHealth also won't bill affected federal workers for care until the shutdown is over.
Editor's note: This article was updated Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. CT.
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