Some signs that the economy is straightening out is more homes being sold. Additionally, in the state of Kansas, new jobs have been opened. Another sign that things are a little bit better was with the development of a new Kansas credit card for a hospital in Wichita. St. Joseph Medical Center has devised a Kansas credit card unlike any other.
In this case, patients staying at the hospital can simply choose to charge expenses of their stay to the Kansas credit card but this is not a Visa or MasterCard, but a private label credit card. Known as MedCharge, this card is the first one to be by a facility in this city. In fact, experts believe the first and only private label Kansas credit card specifically for healthcare in the entire country.
This 600-bed hospital is busy and with this new private label, Kansas credit card, patients can charge every medical service while in the hospital. However, this card can be used for much more to include prescription medication, emergency room visits, continuing outpatient care, healthcare form the family practice center and its pharmacy, three smaller emergency centers in the same area, deductibles, and even co-insurance.
This program has been around for some time although most people have never heard of this Kansas credit card. The decision to create the MedCard came when the accounts receivable were reviewed and it became apparent that patients needed help, primarily those with a balance of $500 to $1,000. Without having the ability to let patients make extended payments, the leaders of the hospital began brainstorming.
Although loan programs through local banks were already available, the problem is that most required greater debt. That meant if loan requirement was based on owing $5,000 or more, patients would not qualify. However, patients on limited income with a balance of $1,000 or less were in a bad situation. The hospital had another Kansas credit card but it was national and it did not offer flexibility regarding decisions that were best for the patients of this hospital.
After putting their ideas together, a proposal for a different type of Kansas credit card was presented to three different banks. The hospital officials were unsure if anyone would be interested but of the three banks, two responded with a proposal. Looking over the different opportunities the Kansas credit card would offer, the bank chose the one that had the least number of restrictions. Today, this Kansas credit card is still used and the outcome has been amazing.