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CMW News: Hospitals absorb costs of treating uninsured immigrants

Case Management Weekly, October 15, 2008

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Hospitals in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey are increasingly finding themselves providing uncompensated care to poor, uninsured, and sometimes illegal, immigrants.

These hospitals face a dilemma because they feel it is their ethical obligation to provide care to those who show up at their door, according to The New York Times, but some hospitals report losing up to $10 million a year caring for these types of patients.

Medicaid covers illegal immigrants in emergency situations, but other conditions, which may be debilitating but are not emergencies, are not covered.

Hospital officials say that providing care at the time the patient presents to the hospital, even if it’s not an emergency situation, can save the hospital money by dealing with the health issue before it becomes urgent. In addition, community education about available healthcare resources can prevent patients from coming to the hospital if they are aware of other options.

Sources: HealthLeaders Media, The New York Times

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