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UNIVERSITY POLICY

SUBJECT:

FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

TITLE:

WRITE OFF: UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

CODING:

00-01-50-50:00

ADOPTED:

07/01/87

AMENDED:

07/01/87

I.      PURPOSE

To set policy to write off University Hospital patient accounts which in accordance with sound business practices are considered uncollectable in the regular course of business. This policy reflects compliance with the provisions of DRG Regulations.

Reference: Financial Elements and Reporting Regulation (8:31B-4.40) revised November 22, 1983.

Under the direction of the Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance, the Vice President for Financial Affairs and Treasurer is to ensure compliance with this policy. Controller's Office is to implement this policy.

A.    Pre-Admission

       1.    Prescheduled elective admissions will be contacted by telephone in advance of
              admission. Patients who do not have a telephone or cannot be reached by phone,
              will be seen on the day Pre-admission Testing P.A.T. is scheduled. Pre-admission
              process includes the following steps:

              a.    Obtain the patient demographic and insurance information.

              b.    Verify third party coverage and extent of benefits.

              c.     Determine the need for third party prior approval of precertification based on
                      the insurance coverage and the diagnosis/procedure. If not already submitted,
                      initiate action to obtain needed documents prior to scheduled admission date.

             d.     Where no third party coverage exists or if the insurance benefits will not cover
                     the full stay, determine the patients eligibility for medical assistance and charity
                     care. If eligible, advise the patient of documentation requirements and where
                     to go for the interviews.

             e.     Request a deposit for:

                     uninsured-amount equal to the estimated charges for the anticipated length of
                     stay minus the amount for which eligible under medical assistance or charity
                     care.

                     under insured-deposit equal to the deductible and coinsurance amount due.

        2.   Elective admissions will be postponed until:

              a.    third party prior approval or certification is submitted in writing to the
                    Admission Office.

              b.   if the admission can safely be postponed as per the attending physician, do so
                    until medical assistance interviews and deposit requests are met.
 

                  1.   Urgent or emergency admissions will have the interview for information conducted
                        on the day of admissions with steps b, c, d, and e of the pre-admission policy
                        performed on the first business day after the day of admission.

                  2.   Proper identification of the patient and signatures on documents will be obtained
                        on the day of admission.

                  3.   In addition to advising patients eligible for medical assistance of the document
                        requirements and location for application, a referral will be made to the
                        appropriate assistance agency to ensure retroactive determination.
 

By Direction of the President:

_________________________________________
Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance

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