Guaranteeing OB rates to reduce bad debts.

In an effort to reduce its obstetrical department's "bad debt ratio", St. Margaret's Hospital, Spring Valley, IL, has instituted a program of guaranteed rates for maternity patients. Both patients and the hospital benefit--patients from knowing what they will have to pay and doing so in advance, and the hospital from greater security about payment. Therefore, St. Margaret's has high hopes for the plan's success.