Financial Barriers to Medical Care: Helping Uninsured and Underinsured Patients Pay for Their Treatment

TIME: 2.5HRS

Financial Barriers to Medical Care

Helping Uninsured and Underinsured Patients Pay for Their Treatment

Increasingly more patients have trouble paying for their medical care, either because they have no insurance; too little insurance, or a very high deductible. Physicians can learn about ways to help patients afford the treatment and medications they need; how to have conversations with patients about money issues and medical costs, and also how physicians can get paid for their own services. This course will cover:

Who are the uninsured and underinsured patients?
Challenges that uninsured and underinsured patients face.
How to get paid by patients with financial difficulties.
Having difficult conversations about costs of various treatments and medications.
Helping patients who can't afford their medications.

5 CHAPTERS

Who Are the Uninsured and Underinsured?

Paying for medical treatment has become more difficult for many patients, even those who have insurance. Here's why you're now more likely to have patients who can't pay.

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The Challenges of Uninsured and Underinsured Patients

Uninsured patients are more likely to forgo medical care, to be sicker, to be nonadherent, and to receive abbreviated treatment. What can be done?

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Billing Uninsured and Underinsured Patients

Many uninsured and underinsured patients can't afford the full cost of care. Here's how to best deal with that situation.

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How to Talk With Patients About Payment Issues

Conversations about paying for tests, procedures, consultations, and other medical necessities are often difficult for doctors and patients. Here's how to start that conversation and provide advice.

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How to Help Patients Who Can't Afford Medications

Steep out-of-pocket costs can result in uninsured and underinsured patients not filling prescriptions, putting their health - and your treatment plan - at risk.

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AUTHORS

John Dickens, MD/MBA Student

University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky

In K. Kim, MD, MBA

Executive Vice Chair and Professor of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky

Beth A. Spurlin, MD, PhD, MBA

Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky

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PHYSICIAN BUSINESS ACADEMY

Medscape Physician Business Academy is designed to help all physicians, employed and self-employed as well as new and more established practicing physicians, become successful in their medical practice and career by providing the essential business information that most medical schools and residency programs don't teach.

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BY COMPLETING 8 COURSES YOU WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION. AFTER COMPLETING EACH COURSE, YOU’LL RECEIVE A LETTER OF COMPLETION.

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PHYSICIAN BUSINESS ACADEMY CERTIFICATE

Medscape Physicians Business Academy course content is provided for educational and information purposes only. If you have particular questions or concerns relating to your practice you should consult the appropriate legal, financial or other expert.

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