Temple University statement on hospital charges

Via email May 20, 2013

“Our listed “charges” do not relate to the payments we receive from commercial or government insurers … and “charges” are never used in relation to patients who have no insurance. For those patients, we disregard “charges” entirely … and, instead, use our Charity Care policy — that uses a sliding scale, based on federal poverty guidelines — that allows patients to pay only what they can afford.

Temple University Hospital’s Charity Care policy also applies to the growing number of people who are under-insured and find themselves burdened with high ‘patient due’ balances under their coverage.

As you know, Temple University Hospital serves one of the nation’s most economically challenged and diverse urban populations. In Fiscal 2012, Temple University Hospital provided nearly $70 million in charity and under-reimbursed care.”