Banner teams up to connect uninsured patients with healthcare coverage

Banner Health announced that it has teamed with Integrated Health Management Services (IHMS) and MedData, to help connect uninsured patients with health care coverage opportunities. Both organizations have committed to help Banner Health patients obtain the health care benefits they may need for themselves and their family.

“Our mission at Banner Health is making healthcare easier, so life can be better,” said Lonny Aldinger, Western Region patient financial services director at Banner Health. “We want all our patients to feel that they are not only getting the best medical treatment they need and deserve but have the peace of mind that they are also receiving the best medical coverage. By teaming with IHMS and MedData, we’re committed to helping our uninsured patient population find solutions and resources that best meet their medical and financial needs.”  

An uninsured patient often may not have a primary care doctor. If they become sick or injured, they may end up going to an emergency room at a hospital as their primary source of care. This can be costly for the patient, leaving them strapped with a medical bill that they may not be able to afford. Currently in the United States, there are a variety of Medicaid or third-party health care insurance coverage services available for uninsured individuals and families. Patients often qualify for some type of health insurance, but not know they may also qualify for up to 18 additional benefits.

IHMS will help these uninsured patients who seek care at select Banner Health facilities in the six states it serves by connecting with appropriate health care coverage opportunities. In addition, IHMS Enrollment Specialists will advise patients on a variety of other benefits that may be available to them and their families including assistance with housing, utilities and other social services. Banner Health hospitals where IHMS services will be offered include:

• Banner – University Medical Center South – Tucson, AZ

• Banner – University Medical Center Tucson – Tucson, AZ

• Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix – Phoenix, AZ

• Banner Casa Grande Medical Center – Casa Grande, AZ

• Banner Heart Hospital – Mesa, AZ

• Banner Baywood Medical Center – Mesa, AZ

• Banner Ironwood Medical Center – Queen Creek, AZ

• Banner Goldfield Medical Center – Apache Junction, AZ

• Banner Page Hospital – Page, AZ

• Banner Payson Medical Center – Payson, AZ

• North Colorado Medical Center – Greeley, CO

• McKee Medical Center – Loveland, CO

• Sterling Regional MedCenter – Sterling, CO

• East Morgan County Hospital – Brush, CO

• Banner Fort Collins Medical Center – Fort Collins, CO

• Ogallala Community Hospital – Ogallala, NE

• Banner Lassen Medical Center – Susanville, CA

• Banner Churchill Community Hospital – Fallon, NV

• Washakie Medical Center – Worland, WY

• Torrington Community Hospital – Torrington, WY

• Platte County Memorial Hospital – Wheatland, WY

MedData will use its innovative screening technology to help uninsured patients who seek care at select Banner Health hospitals in Arizona only, by connecting them with appropriate health care coverage opportunities from among hundreds of available programs. In addition, MedData’s experienced patient advocates will personally advise patients on a variety of other benefits that may be available to them and their families. MedData is working with uninsured patients at the following Banner Health facilities:

• Banner Behavioral Health Hospital – Scottsdale, AZ

• Banner Gateway Medical Center/Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center – Gilbert, AZ

• Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center – Sun City West, AZ

• Banner Estrella Medical Center – Phoenix, AZ

• Banner Boswell Medical Center – Sun City, AZ

• Banner Desert Medical Center/Cardon Children’s Medical Center – Mesa, AZ

• Banner Thunderbird Medical Center – Glendale, AZ

“Our companies align in many ways, especially our shared focus on taking great care of patients,” said MedData President and COO Emily Fisher. “We look forward to making a difference in the lives of Banner’s patients by ensuring they get the coverage they need and treating them with the respect they deserve.”