Too many people are forgetting to renew their health cards.
If your heading to the Hanover Emergency Room — you better make sure your health card is current or it could cost you.
The hospital is cracking down on those who haven’t renewed their cards.
Chief of Staff Doctor Robert Basilij says anyone with invalid or expired health cards will receive a bill for their E-R visit.
He says penalties for expired and invalid cards will cost in excess of 100 dollars.
Even though the number of patients without valid health cards is low, Basilij says it makes a big impact on the health care system.
He says it’s usually these same people that attend the ER the most, amplifying the the problem for the hospital.
Doctor Basilij says health cards are used to help fund the ER department and cover the cost of the physicians.
Physicians are paid based on the number of ER visits to the hospital, making a valid health card a medical necessity for patients.
Doctor Basilij notes renewing health cards is more convenient than ever since the public can now update their cards locally in Hanover at the Driver’s License Bureau.
