In January, Jason Friend, Director of the Patient Billing Office at PeaceHealth, spoke to the Healthcare Issues Team about PeaceHealth’s charity care program. He indicated that all patients are made aware of PeaceHealth’s financial assistance programs and described several programs that patients might qualify for.
He added that in fiscal year 2024 more than 90,000 patients were helped and billed charges were reduced by more than $211 million. For more details and to hear members’ questions and his responses, watch the recording of the presentation.
The next meeting of the Healthcare Issues Team will be February 17 from 10:00 - 11:30 am. Beverly Porter, Executive Director of ARC of Whatcom County, will join the Healthcare Issues Team to tell the group about resources available in Whatcom County for individuals with developmental disabilities and, importantly, what is lacking. Come join us!
More interesting topics are planned for the coming months. Donna Inglis and Amber Asbjornsen, who spoke with us last Spring about the PeaceHealth Palliative Care program, will be back with an update on palliative care. As always, I welcome your suggestions for topics and/or speakers.
