SACRAMENTO, CA – The Sacramento Sierra Region of Sutter Health has selected MedAssets’ patient bill estimation solution, CarePricer, to provide its patients with Patient Friendly Estimates at the point-of-access. Using the solution, Sutter Health’s seven hospitals in the region expects to better educate its patients on their responsibilities upfront to improve collections. MedAssets will also help the organization improve its revenue cycle operations and reduce bad debt related to an increasing number of uninsured and underinsured patients by helping them understand their out-of-pocket costs.

“In MedAssets, we have an established relationship with year-over-year results and a partner that helps Sutter Health improve our revenue cycle effectiveness,” said Margie Souza, administrative director of patient access and financial services for Sutter Health Sac-Sierra Region. “Knowing that a hospital reduces the likelihood of reimbursement by 40 percent post-service, we must take proactive steps to create awareness regarding patients’ responsibilities. The resulting revenue improvement will allow Sutter Health to provide additional services to our community.”

Sutter Health has been a MedAssets customer since 2005¸ and utilizes reimbursement integrity solutions for effective receivables management. Its consistent results over multiple years include improved cash collections and reduced A/R days, resulting in a multi-million positive financial impact for the seven hospitals in the Sacramento Sierra Region. Sutter Health also utilizes MedAssets spend management solutions including supply chain optimization and consulting services.

“Sutter Health is in a unique market where well-informed patients require cost transparency and the organization feels strongly about its responsibility to provide this important information,” said Neil Hunn, Chief Financial Officer and President – Revenue Cycle Technology, for MedAssets. “MedAssets will help Sutter Health calculate the true cost of the patient’s portion of Sutter Health’s services. As a result of collecting more of the patient’s portion prior to service, this will increase receivables and improve the provider’s overall financial health.”