Newsworthy

Stormont Vail Health and Kansas Legal Services announce that they have worked collaboratively to reach an agreement to resolve 11 medical debt lawsuits filed by Stormont Vail in the Kansas district courts.  

The collection cases were filed by Stormont Vail in five Kansas counties to recoup payment for outstanding medical bills from individuals who received care at Stormont Vail facilities. Kansas Legal Services represents the individuals named in the lawsuits.

As a part of the collaborative agreement, the individuals applied to have the bills waived pursuant to Stormont Vail’s Financial Assistance Policy. All 11 of the parties have been determined to have qualified for financial assistance, including discounted care, following the provision of information required for Stormont Vail to evaluate their financial need. Those patients whose paychecks were garnished will have those funds returned, and the lawsuits will be dismissed with prejudice.

“Kansas Legal Services appreciates the willingness of Stormont Vail Health to work with our clients and provide them greater understanding of their financial assistance program,” said Matthew D. Keenan, Executive Director, Kansas Legal Services. “Medical debt is a real issue for many people and we appreciate Stormont Vail’s financial assistance program that they have in place to help those in need. Our clients were unaware of the opportunity to apply for financial assistance, including discounted care.”

Timothy Shultz, Vice President and Stormont Vail’s Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, said providing high quality and safe healthcare is top priority for the organization, and helping individuals with their financial health is part of that equation. The organization not only has a comprehensive financial assistance program; it also has placed financial navigators across the system to help patients and families understand billing matters, insurance and financial assistance options. Stormont Vail’s Financial Assistance Policy is available to all patients who are financially unable to pay for emergency or medically necessary care.

Shultz added that Stormont Vail will provide financial assistance for those in need when Stormont Vail is aware of the need. The organization has had a strong financial assistance program for many years, through which it provides tens of millions of dollars every year for financial assistance.

The program does ask patients to communicate with Stormont Vail regarding their financial condition and needs. Stormont Vail makes patients aware of its financial assistance program through a variety of sources, including information at registration points in clinics and hospitals, on its website, and in patient statements.

The healthcare organization’s goal is to provide transparent and helpful financial information to make the billing process as clear as possible, and to help patients with financial concerns navigate payment options.

Customer service representatives are available to share information about Stormont Vail’s Financial Assistance Program, at (785) 354-1150 or (800) 637-4716 or email [email protected]. Those who speak Spanish may call (833) 692-3054.