COVID-19 has resulted in an increasing number of patients losing health coverage and hospitals losing revenue associated with uninsured patients. At the same time, more patient encounters qualify for reimbursement than ever before due to the passage of the Affordable Care Act and its impact on Medicaid availability. In addition to Medicaid, there are dozens of federal, state and private programs that cover the uninsured that are not being utilized effectively.

Price transparency is a critical element for ensuring not only a healthy revenue cycle, but also patient engagement and overall organizational success. With the spread of consumerism in healthcare, more patients are expecting pre-service estimates and a seamless billing and payment process. However there is one primary factor in that process that can be less than clear: insurance coverage.