Providing Hand Surgery Care to Vulnerably Uninsured Patients.

Economically vulnerable US patients are at risk for undertreatment of hand-related conditions as well as poorer outcomes. The cost of indigent care can be substantial to both the patients and their communities. Caring for these patients in a system that depends on inconsistent coverage requires a network of safety-net hospitals. To ensure that patients have access to care, the protection of safety-net hospitals should be prioritized when discussing federal and state funding allocation. On an individual scale, surgeons can also make changes in their practices to help find sustainable ways to care for indigent patients.