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District of Columbia: Barriers to Medicaid Enrollment Contribute to Hospital Uncompensated Care

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Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date Dec. 29, 1992
Report No. HRD-93-28
Subject
Summary:

Uncompensated care costs are becoming a significant problem for many hospitals in the District of Columbia due to the rising number of uninsured patients and the soaring cost of health care. The cost of uncompensated care at hospitals in the District increased from $157 million in 1987 to $228 million in 1990. Against this growing burden of uncompensated care, Medicaid reimbursement has become an important revenue source for hospitals that serve a high percentage of poor and indigent patients. Even with Medicaid funds, however, many hospitals are becoming hard pressed to provide adequate health care to their communities. This report (1) determines the extent to which uncompensated care is a problem for hospitals in the District of Columbia, (2) examines the process for obtaining Medicaid enrollment and its relationship to Medicaid reimbursement and uncompensated care, and (3) reviews the process for obtaining Medicaid enrollment in the District and reviews potential barriers to enrollment.

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