Patient advocacy groups cut medical bills by tens of millions

[Image omitted] - (http://www.fiercehealthfinance.com/story/patient-advocacy-groups-cut-medical-bills-tens-millions/2014-06-09) Patient advocate organizations, whether state-run, not-for-profits or for-profits, can shave millions of dollars a year from hospital and medical bills, the Wall Street Journal reported (http://online.wsj.com/articles/where-to-turn-in-a-health-finance-crisis-1402188124).

One organization, the Patient Advocate Foundation, used some 200 caseworkers to reduce patient medical debt by $48 million, according to the Journal.

Moreover, the Affordable Care Act has furnished $58 million in grants to help states establish patient advocacy agencies. About two dozen states established such organizations. In Connecticut, the agency saved patients $9.6 million last year and $50 million since 2001, mainly by disputing medical bills and getting...