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January 4, 2006

Charity Care Policies and Collection Practices for the Uninsured

There continues to be local, state and federal attention on hospital charity care policies and collection practices. The Illinois Hospital Association and the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council created a joint Task Force in 2003 to hold meetings on charity care and collection practices for the uninsured. On September 11, 2003, the Illinois Board of Trustees considered the Task Force recommendations and adopted the attached Report of the Task Force on Charity Care Policies and Collection Practices for the Uninsured (click here). The Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council adopted the Report on September 8, 2003. The intent of this Report was to review charity care policies and collection practices and recommend steps Illinois hospitals could take to respond to the concerns that have been raised and to ensure that these policies and practices are as patient-friendly as possible.

We encourage Illinois hospitals to review their current charity care guidelines and collection practices and modify them, if necessary, so they are consistent with the guidelines contained in the attached report. Nothing in this report is designed to limit or discourage a hospital from offering a more liberal charity care policy or covering a broader group of patients. These are general guidelines and hospitals may need to modify them to meet local needs and circumstances.

We hope the attached recommended guidelines help Illinois hospitals continue their good work with disadvantaged patients and families through consistent charity care policies and collection practices.