Many low-income Texans who qualify for free or discounted hospital care may get a bill first. A Tradeoffs and KFF Health News investigation published Oct. 15 found that 44% of the state's nonprofit hospitals say they will bill patients before screening them for financial aid.
Reporters reviewed policies at 166 nonprofit general and children's hospitals in Texas. Nearly every one can screen patients and proactively reduce bills without an application, a process called presumptive eligibility. But only about 8% require that screening before a bill is sent.
