Statement from Regional Hospital on what it charges its patients
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JACKSON, Tenn. — Two West Tennessee hospitals find themselves on an unenviable list — the Washington Post’s Top 50 hospitals that gouge patients the most. The study said Regional Hospital in Jackson and Dyersburg Regional Medical Center have some of the highest markups over their actual costs. That means, according to the rankings, they are charging out-of-network patients and the uninsured, as well as auto and workers’ compensation insurers, more than 10 times the costs allowed by Medicare. While a spokesperson for the hospitals would not go on camera, they did release a statement: “Hospital reimbursement is a complex issue involving multiple players in a system that has evolved over many years. Charges vary from hospital to hospital because each has a unique mix of payers, patients and services. Hospital charges do not accurately portray what consumers pay for their healthcare. At our hospital, we provide substantial discounts for those who are uninsured and we offer charity care for those who qualify. Healthcare costs are complicated, and we know what really matters to patients is what they personally pay out of pocket. We have financial counselors who work with our patients to help them understand their financial responsibility, including co-pays, deductibles, and, in the case of the uninsured if they are eligible for discounts, financial assistance, Medicare, Medicaid or charity care. Regional Hospital of Jackson provides medically necessary emergency medical care for patients regardless of their ability to pay. In 2014, the hospital provided $6.9 million in charity and uncompensated care to the area‘s most in-need residents and paid $3.8 in taxes that support local civic resources and other state or federal purposes.” Lori Smith Vice-President of Marketing & Community Relations Regional Hospital Jackson, Tenn.
