Chamberlin Edmonds Joins Emory Healthcare to Extend Eligibility Services Program

Emory Healthcare expands eligibility and enrollment support to help growing numbers of uninsured patients navigate complex application processes and obtain coverage for medical care

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chamberlin Edmonds and Associates, Inc., a leading provider of comprehensive patient eligibility and enrollment services to hospitals, today announced that it joined Emory Healthcare, the largest healthcare system in Georgia, to help obtain coverage for the growing self-pay patient population. Chamberlin Edmonds’ eligibility specialists will serve as advocates for patients to secure coverage from various federal, state and charity programs, including Medicare, Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDIB).

“Chamberlin Edmonds’ automated system continuously reviews outpatient accounts, searching for patients who may have acquired new Medicaid coverage. If it identifies that a patient has been enrolled, the system automatically generates a claim or bill for services.”

Chamberlin Edmonds has supported Emory University Hospital Midtown since 1998 and the success of this partnership led the healthcare system to extend the agreement to its eight other facilities: The Emory Clinic; Emory University Hospital; Emory University Orthopaedics and Spine Hospital; Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna; Emory-Children's Center; Wesley Woods Center; Emory Johns Creek Hospital; and Emory Eastside Medical Center.

“The elevated levels of uncompensated care we face make it challenging to provide the best care possible while maintaining financial viability,” says Jim Perry, Director of Patient Financial Services at Emory University Hospital. “It was important that we find a partner that offers expertise regarding federal programs, such as Medicare, but also possesses equal knowledge about state and local programs such as Medicaid and SSDIB. The firm’s guidance, from application through follow-up, is offered at no cost to our patients,” Perry continued.

Besides helping Emory obtain coverage for uninsured inpatients, Chamberlin Edmonds will extend its services to the high volumes of outpatients seen at the health system’s facilities. In addition, once a patient has been enrolled for benefits, Chamberlin Edmonds monitors the patient’s account status to ensure billing is handled properly, says Roxann Arnold, Director of Patient Accounts at Emory University Hospital Midtown. “Chamberlin Edmonds’ automated system continuously reviews outpatient accounts, searching for patients who may have acquired new Medicaid coverage. If it identifies that a patient has been enrolled, the system automatically generates a claim or bill for services.”

“Emory Healthcare is widely recognized as a pioneer in the healthcare industry and a clear leader for patient care in the state of Georgia,” says Kirk Reid, Executive Vice President at Chamberlin Edmonds. “The goal of our partnership is to help support Emory Healthcare in its continuing mission to provide the highest quality patient care. Chamberlin Edmonds will assist patients with navigating complex application processes and, ultimately, will help generate incremental revenue for Emory Healthcare.”

About Chamberlin Edmonds

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Chamberlin Edmonds serves as patient advocates and provides custom-tailored eligibility services to hospitals nationwide. Our comprehensive services examine the widest spectrum of uninsured and underinsured patients, including inpatient, outpatient and emergency department cases. The advanced technology of our proprietary Web-based system is built on the unique experience and expertise of the most qualified eligibility and enrollment professionals in the industry – our people. Chamberlin Edmonds has more than 24 years of experience in eligibility services, with six regional offices in the U.S. Please visit www.chamberlinedmonds.com to learn more.

About Emory Healthcare

Since 1905, Emory Healthcare has been at the forefront of medicine, putting cutting-edge interventional research and technology into lifesaving action. As the largest, most comprehensive health care system in Georgia, Emory Healthcare has 1,184 licensed patient beds, 9,000 employees and more than 20 health centers located throughout Metro Atlanta. For more information, visit www.emoryhealthcare.org.