In an ambulatory hospital setting How much charity care shou

In an ambulatory hospital setting, How much charity care should be provided and can be afforded?

Solution

An ambulatory hospital setting is one in which patients are treated and medical care is provided mostly on outpatient basis. In such hospitals, patients are not hospitalized for more than 24 hours and services provided includes consultation, diagnosis, and treatment.

The amount of charity being provided in such a setting should be directly proportional to the number of patients coming in the hospital in a month or in a year. While providing charity, due considerations should be made for the number of patients who are uninsured or are underinsured. Moreover, oupatient surgery is more expensive and the proportion of outpatients coming for outpatient surgery should also be considered when determining the quantum of charity.