Hospital Facility Fees = 24/7 Access
Patients that belong to integrated hospital outpatient departments receive 24/7, year-round access to the healthcare services they need. Facility fees cover the direct and indirect costs that allow hospitals to continue to provide comprehensive care to patients and serve the needs of their communities.
Hospitals Maintain Access to Care
Freestanding Rural Health Clinics (RHC) face severe rates of closure, nearly three times the rate of those owned by hospitals. Hospitals have been able to maintain more access to care in rural areas due to the financial security of funding mechanisms like facility fees.
Hospital Outpatient Departments Serve Patients with Greater Needs
- 61% more likely to be dual Medicare/Medicaid eligible.
- 60% more likely to live in a rural county.
- 54% more likely to be under 65 and disabled.
- More likely to come from lower income areas.
- More likely to have more severe chronic conditions and higher prior hospital emergency department use.
*Source: KNG Health Consulting LLC Comparison of Care in Hospital Outpatient Departments and Independent Physician Offices: Updated Findings for 2019-2024 report