IRS issues new regulations on patient finances, collections: Fierce Health Finance

Summary: “The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Monday released new regulations on how non-profit hospitals collect sums owed by patients. The intent of the regulations is to prod hospitals to behave in a more transparent manner with patients and give them an opportunity to apply for financial assistance. The rules bar hospitals from seeking payments from patients in their treatment rooms, or selling their debt to collections agencies without making a “reasonable effort” to offer financial assistance first. Hospitals will also be limited from billing patients without insurance who are eligible for financial assistance any more than what they charge insured patients. They must also widely publicize their financial eligibility guidelines and clearly communicate them to patients.” Ron Shinkman, Dec. 30, 2014, via IRS issues new regulations on patient finances, collections, – FierceHealthFinance.