Clinical worker talking with male patient

Paying for Your Stay

Pennsylvania hospitals believe that patients and their families should have as much information as they can get to make the best decisions about their care and to be protected from the financial burdens of unexpected medical bills.

Though insurers are in the best position to help patients understand what is considered in network or out of network, everyone providing health care services has a role to play in helping consumers navigate the complicated health care delivery system.

Hospitals are working to help patients understand their financial responsibility by:

  • Offering a special help-line number for billing/pricing questions
  • Having patient advocates and financial counselors on-hand to meet with families in person or via telephone call
  • Providing cost estimator tools to estimate out-of-pocket costs
  • Holding educational sessions about paying for hospital services

Patients also can use the price estimators and provider network information at health plan websites and talk to their provider about quality, value, and cost treatment options.



HAP News


October 30, 2026

Caring for the Commonwealth: WellSpan Addresses Food Insecurity

HAP’s Caring for the Commonwealth series showcases the innovative programs led by Pennsylvania hospitals and health systems—and, most importantly, the difference they make for communities. The series brings these stories to life, highlighting how our members are improving health and creating stronger, healthier communities.

For WellSpan, addressing food insecurity means looking beyond the walls of the health care system and into the communities it serves. The hospital partnered with an 11-acre local farm to improve access to nutritious food while supporting employees, educating children and helping address one of the most fundamental drivers of health: having enough healthy food to eat.

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