(Spirit Lake)– There was an increase in the past year in the amount of so-called “charity care” provided by Lakes Regional Healthcare. Gordon Larson, the hospital’s Chief Financial Officer, says it amounts to 150-thousand dollars the hospital won’t be able to collect since it isn’t covered by any agency or insurance.
Larson says charity care is provided to patients with a demonstrated inability to pay. He says charity care is a resource of last resort and is only available when all other payment sources and assets have been exhausted.
Larson says about 30 patients received free care at Lakes Regional last year. Most of them were from Dickinson county.
Larson says the amount of charity care LRH provided last year is up significantly from previous years. He attributes that in part to increased public awareness.
Larson says the amount of charity care provided to a patient is based on income, sliding fee schedules and federal government poverty guidelines.
Larson says the hospital assists patients in seeking reimbursement from local, state and federal programs when there are no other sources of payment.
Lakes Regional Healthcare has provided charity care since the hospital opened its doors in 1959.
