FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) — Parkview Health has partnered with a national nonprofit to forgive more than $64 million in medical debt for tens of thousands of patients across the region. According to our partners in news at 21ALIVE, Undue Medical Debt announced that $64.13 million in medical debt for 35,694 Parkview Health patients has been eliminated. Patients who qualify for the debt forgiveness are expected to receive letters from the nonprofit this week. No further action is required once the notification is received. “Parkview Health remains deeply committed to lowering healthcare costs. We take great pride in all that we’ve done so far, such as renegotiating an agreement to further lower our hospital rates with our largest commercial payor and growing our lower-cost ambulatory care sites. Eliminating this debt — no strings attached — is another example of our commitment to bringing financial relief to patients.” Parkview Chief Financial Officer Jessica Lee-Hansen said. Undue Medical Debt works with health care providers and collection agencies nationwide to identify individuals who are unable to pay outstanding medical bills after collection efforts have been made. Using donations, the organization acquires large portfolios of medical debt and partners with providers to erase the balances. The nonprofit focuses on patients whose medical debt equals at least 5% of their annual household income or whose household income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. According to Undue, Parkview Health elected to donate the debt for forgiveness rather than sell it. While the donated debt affects patients nationwide, the majority of those impacted live in Indiana and Ohio. Undue said most of the patients receiving debt relief through Parkview have commercial insurance. The remaining patients are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, are self-pay, or — in approximately 330 cases — have military or veteran insurance coverage. “We are grateful to partner with Parkview Health on this transformative medical debt relief initiative that will bring much-needed financial and emotional relief to over 35,000 patients,” Undue Medical Debt President and CEO Allison Sesso said. “No one chooses to get sick, injured or have a chronic condition. This collaboration demonstrates Parkview’s belief that removing these unpayable debts of necessity helps their communities thrive and reengage with care. And since the qualifying accounts are being donated, Undue is able to leverage our donor support even more effectively to provide unexpected relief to Indiana residents and beyond.” The post Parkview Health Forgives More Than $64 Million In Medical Debt For Over 35,000 Patients appeared first on WOWO News/Talk 92.3 FM and 1190 AM. ...read more read less