Allegheny Health Network is sending an email to patients letting them know that the health system will no longer be accepting cash or checks starting on Monday, July 7.
The email says only credit cards and debit cards, including those for HSAs and flex spending accounts, will be accepted at hospitals, doctors’ offices and urgent care centers.
You can still use cash at garages, gift shops, vending machines and cafeterias.
AHN tells KDKA Radio, in a statement:
Exceptions will be made for patients who do not own a credit card, and AHN will not turn away patients at the point of care. This policy change allows us to reduce administrative costs, strengthen the security of our payment processing, and improve record-keeping. Reducing physical contact with paper currency and checks also reduces the spread of germs, improving infection control.