Zollinger T W, Saywell R M, Chu D K, Ziegert A, Woods J R, LaBov D
School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Indianapolis 46202.
Hosp Health Serv Adm. 1991 Summer;36(2):243-56.
For this study, a sample of 985 patients classified as "charity" and "bad debt" cases in 1986 were identified from 28 Indiana hospitals. In a multiple regression model, insurance coverage, total hospital charge, pregnancy-related diagnoses, marital status, employment status, discharge status, urban location, and total hospital revenue were significant factors in predicting unpaid hospital bills, when controlling other demographic characteristics. Sixty percent had some form of insurance and were responsible for 40 percent of the uncompensated amount, justifying the need to examine the adequacy of patient insurance coverage. However, providing insurance coverage will not entirely eliminate the problem of uncompensated care; hospitals also need to increase collection efforts for all unpaid bills.
