AG seeks refund for low-income Providence, Swedish patients
OLYMPIA — The state attorney general is suing 14 hospitals across Washington, including Swedish Edmonds and Providence Regional Medical Center Everett.
The lawsuit alleges hospitals sent more than 54,000 low-income patients’ bills to debt collectors — even though patients were eligible for free hospital care and discounts on their bills.
The Daily Herald compiled information to help readers determine if they’re eligible for financial help with hospital bills. In Washington, the state charity care law requires hospitals to have a financial assistance policy. Many low-income patients are legally entitled to free hospital care or discounts on their bills. More than 1.8 million people in the state are eligible.
If the state attorney general’s lawsuit is successful, hospitals could be required to fully write off more than 54,000 patients’ medical debts. The patients who already paid, but were eligible for free hospital care or help with their medical bills, would receive a refund plus interest.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/ag-seeks-refund-for-low-income-providence-swedish-patients/
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