Advancing Healthcare Access

Throughout the United States, hospitals and health systems continue to explore strategies to address and expand health access. Effective health access strategy is achieved by ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to achieve optimal health through standard business processes that are clear, accessible and inclusive. This approach fosters a healthcare environment where every member of the community can easily navigate, engage with and benefit from available care, ultimately improving health outcomes for all. Toward that end, this report provides guidance to hospitals and health systems that are assessing ways to strengthen institutional policies related to financial assistance, billing and collection. Those efforts will further support and promote health access and healthier communities going forward.