April 10, 2017 To: Chris Vanderveen, News Katie Wilcox, 9News ‘Our hospital systems have collaborated in an attempt to provide some clarity around the issue of hospital billing ‘and what patients should do to seek assistance. We respectfully request that 9News share this statement with their viewers. Colorado's hospitals understand that medical bills are complicated and that patients may feel confused, worried of upset about the bills they receive. Billing transparency and clarity are priorities for all of our hospitals and health systems, and we continue to make improvements and to learn from best practices. In addition, hospitals and health systems are staffed with billing experts who are available to patients to answer questions, to send itemized bills and to help explain the billing process. Health care is one of the most highly-regulated industries in the country, and the complex billing process isin large part a result of federal law, state regulations, industry standards and insurance regulations and contracting, In recent years, the insurance market has shifted to more high-deductible plans, which can offer lower premiums while placing far greater financial burdens on patients when they need care. Many patients are unaware of this shift and of the specifics surrounding their current coverage. We strongly encourage patients to contact their insurer before they seek care to understand what their financial responsibility will likely be. Its also important for patients to research and understand an insurance plan before signing up. Patients should, consider @ health savings account or flexible savings account to help plan for potential medical bills. We ask that 9News encourage its viewers to act as advocates for their health and to ask questions, They should contact their hospitals or providers regarding medical billing questions. Staff can help answer questions and guide patients toward an individual resolution, which may include recommending one of a number of assistance programs and discounts available to patients. These include government assistance programs and negotiations related to a patient’s personal financial status and ability to pay. Additional resources are also available on each of our websites, and attached isa list of contact information for each hospital system billing department for you to share with your viewers. We have consistently provided responses to your requests in the past. In regard to your demands for an on-air interview —we are submitting this statement in lieu of interviews at this time and request that you share it with ‘9News viewers. Further, we request that you ensure that every bill/statement that you have recelved is shared with each hospital so that they may have the opportunity to directly engage with patients to resolve their questions. As to your statement that you will “seek other means of getting our questions answered on-camera,” we would remind you that in order to protect patient, visitor and staff privacy in our hospitals, news media representatives are not allowed to film at our facilities unannounced, We appreciate your commitment to understanding this complex issue. a Health Centura yy aiesciveath = UChealth Health.Hospital Phone Numbers for Billing Questions Centura Health Avista Adventist Hospital: 303-486-5400; 1-800-953-0104 Castle Rock Adventist Hospital: 303-486-5400; 1-800-953-0104 Centura Health Emergency & Urgent Care Center: 1-888-373-6034 Littleton Adventist Hospital: 303-486-5400; 1-800-953-0204 Longmont United Hospital: 303-486-5400; 1-800-953-0104 Mercy Regional Medical Center: 303-486-5400; 1-800-953-0104 OrthoColorado Hospital: 303-486-5400; 1-800-953-0104 Parker Adventist Hospital: 303-486-5400; 1-800-953-0104 Penrose Hospital: 303-486-5400; 1-800-953-0104 Porter Adventist Hospital: 303-486-5400; 1-800-953-0104 St. Anthony Hospital: 303-486-5400; 1-800-953-0104 St. Anthony North Health Campus: 303-486-5400; 1-800-953-0104 St. Anthony Summit Medical Center: 303-486-5400; 1-800-953-0104 St. Francis Medical Center: 303-486-5400; 1-800-953-0104 St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center: 303-486-5400; 1-800-953-0104 ‘St. Thomas More Hospital: 303-486-5400; 1-800-953-0104 Healthone The Medical Center of Aurora: 1-866-475-8266 North Suburban Medical Center: 1-866-475-2403 Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center: 1-866-475-1037 Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children: 1-866-475-1037 Rose Medical Center: 1-866-475-7872 ‘Sky Ridge Medical Center: 1-866-475-7937 Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital: 1-865-475-8268, ‘Swedish Medical Center: 1-866-475-1385 SCL Health Good Samaritan Hospital: 866-665-2636 Lutheran Medical Center: 866-665-2636 Platte Valley Medical Center: 866-665-2636 Saint Joseph Hospital: 866-665-2636 SCL Health Community Hospitals: 866-665-2636 St. Mary's Medical Center: 866-665-2636 UcHealth ‘Medical Center of the Rockies: 877-711-7510 ‘Memorial Hospital North: 877-711-7420 ‘Memorial Hospital Central: 877-711-7420 Poudre Valley Hospital: 877-711-7510 University of Colorado Hospital: 866-429-6045 Broomfield Hospital: 877-711-7470 Grandview Hospital: 877-711-7470