Minnesota hospitals are inappropriately billing sexual assault victims for medical exams, according to a new report from the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
The report summarizes a survey of 139 respondents, ranging from medical practitioners to advocates and law enforcement.
Here are three findings from the survey on billing and payment for sexual assault exams.
1. Most respondents — more than 80 — were unsure of the cost of exams in their area.
2. About 18 percent of respondents stated that victims will "sometimes" or "often" receive bills relating to aspects of the medical forensic exam. According to the report, victims should never receive these bills, per federal and state statute.
3. Nearly one-third of respondents do not feel comfortable telling victims that they will not be billed for their exam, suggesting that these respondents have reason to believe that victims might be billed for aspects of their exam, according to the report.
"Quotes from this question demonstrate not only the extra effort needed to explain the billing process in order to be fully transparent with victims, but also how little is known and understood about the billing process, " the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault wrote in the report.