Report: Uncompensated Hospital Care Costs Drop 17 Percent

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A new report shows the cost of uncompensated care at Minnesota hospitals has dropped nearly 17 percent since the federal Affordable Care Act was implemented.

The report is from the Minnesota Department of Health. Commissioner Ed Ehlinger says the drop is a positive sign that there's been progress in reducing the number of Minnesotans who don't have health coverage.

The report shows uncompensated care costs fell from $305 million to $268 million in 2015. It was the second consecutive annual decline.

Uncompensated care includes charity care, which is when hospitals provide care without expecting to be paid. It also includes "bad debt," when hospitals expect payment but don't get it.