Denver Health Faces $155 Million in Unpaid Healthcare Costs Due to Rising Uninsured Patients

Tuesday, 17 September 2024, 18:21

Denver Health faces a staggering $155 million in unpaid healthcare costs, primarily driven by an increase in uninsured patients. As the state's largest safety net hospital, Denver Health is urging for additional funding to manage this financial burden, which has seen a 10% rise from the previous year. The urgent need for increased Denver health care funding highlights the challenges posed by the growing number of uninsured residents seeking care.
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Denver Health Faces $155 Million in Unpaid Healthcare Costs Due to Rising Uninsured Patients

Denver Health's Financial Challenges

Denver Health has announced that it will experience an alarming $155.5 million loss from uncompensated costs this year. This represents a 10% increase from last year. With the rising number of uninsured patients, which increased from 61,000 in 2022 to 75,000 in 2023, Denver Health is feeling the pressure.

Impact of Uncompensated Care

  • Uncompensated costs have escalated dramatically, along with the number of uninsured patients.
  • Denver Health CEO Donna Lynne emphasized that the hospital provides care to all, irrespective of their ability to pay.
  • Additional services, including housing through 34 apartments for patients, are also part of their commitment to care.

Funding Solutions

Denver Health is pushing for greater funding to offset around $118 million due to treating uninsured patients. However, the city’s reimbursement has remained a mere $30 million annually. The proposed Denver Health sales tax initiative aims to increase the city’s sales tax by 0.34%, potentially generating $70 million each year to assist healthcare costs.


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This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.


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