Every year, at least $60 billion in public benefits goes unused nationally. That means tax relief, health insurance, and help with food, housing, and transportation never reach people they are intended for. Public benefits are associated with better health, lower costs, and community growth, so hospitals want to connect patients with them.
Two studies by Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (LDI) fellows looked to emergency departments (EDs) to find people who were eligible for public benefits. By law, hospitals must provide , regardless of patients' health insurance status. This makes EDs an opportune place to find people who qualify for programs such as Medicaid but are not enrolled.
The studies were published in and . Penn medical student Ella Eisinger and LDI Senior Fellow Elinore Kaufman answered questions about a hospital program that connects people to who were admitted through the ED. In addition, LDI Senior Fellow Austin Kilaru discussed helping ED patients receive benefits such as tax credits, rent rebates, and assistance with utility payments.
Why use emergency care to help people get insurance and other benefits? Kaufman: When people are admitted to the hospital from the ED, it's a rare moment when the hospital's and patient's financial motivations align; both want the hospital to be paid for the services without the patient getting a huge bill. Physicians want to make the most of every health care encounter. Sometimes, we can do a little more, like reassur.
