+ Un-Compensated Care Definition            "Why we need your help!"

What is Uncompensated Care?  Uncompensated care is the total amount of health care services costs, based on full charges, provided to patients who are either unable or unwilling to pay.

Definition of Bad Debt:  Bad debt is the unpaid obligation for care for patient's who are unwilling to pay their bill. For uninsured patients, the amount of bad debt can pertain to all or any portion of the bill that is not paid. For patients with insurance, certain amounts that are the patient's responsibility such as deductibles that are expensed by QVMC as bad debt if not paid.

Definition of Charity Care:  The dollar amount of free care provided to patients who are determined by QVMC to be unable to pay.

Why is Uncompensated Care Important Us?  Uncompensated care is important because costs incurred by QVMC in providing this care eventually must be paid by someone. Many Hospitals are forced to shift these costs to other payers such as private insurance companies.

How Does Uncompensated Care Affect Us?   Uncompensated care and inadequate reimbursement by government insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid end up affecting everyone because they contribute to the increase in the overall cost of health care. Costs incurred while treating patients that are not reimbursed, end up getting shifted to private insurers. This is one of the contributing factors to continued increases in health care costs. As the health care costs continue to rise, businesses are forced to either reduce benefits to employees or require their employees to pay for a greater portion of their monthly premium.  This is a vicious circle and one that is spinning out of control.

We need your support....  to help cover the cost of un-compensated care at QVMC.  In 2006, QVMC provided 3/4 of a million dollars in uncompensated care to the families and businesses of our community and to the far-reaching surrounding areas. These were uncompensated dollars that were not reimbursed and/or had to be written off as bad debt.  We need your support to cover these costs and to continue the growth and compassionate, quality care our community depends on.  Please show your support. Together, we can make a difference!