US-based large-scale rural health system Sanford Health has partnered with Cedar to enhance the patient financial experience across its extensive network.
Sanford Health aims to deliver a transparent payment experience, using Cedar’s platform to streamline billing and improve patient engagement.
The collaboration involves the implementation of Cedar Pay, which integrates essential information into medical bills, including real-time health savings account data.
The integration provides a consumer-grade financial experience, fostering patient trust and loyalty while enhancing provider financial performance.
Key features of Cedar Pay include rapid experimentation for personalisation, empathetic messaging to reduce patient stress, and incorporation of health savings account information.
In addition, personalised payment plan recommendations offer flexible options tailored to each patient’s financial situation.
Cedar CEO and co-founder Florian Otto said: “Rural health systems like Sanford Health have shown remarkable ingenuity in serving the unique needs of their populations.
“This partnership demonstrates a commitment to addressing the comprehensive needs of rural populations, recognising that financial health is an integral part of overall patient care.
“We’re thrilled to complement Sanford Health’s robust Epic infrastructure with our latest innovation in financial engagement to empower patients and strengthen the health of rural communities.
“With rural hospitals under increasing pressure, innovative solutions are no longer optional – they’re imperative for sustainability. Our partnership with Sanford Health isn’t just about modernising billing; it’s about securing the future of healthcare for entire communities.”
The partnership aims to strengthen provider margins and empower patients to manage their bills effectively.
By improving the patient financial experience, Sanford Health and Cedar seek to reduce barriers to care and support the sustainability of rural healthcare providers.
Cedar’s AI-powered technology and human-centred design have served over 50 million patients nationwide, processing more than $10bn in payments.
The platform enhances collections, maximises reimbursement, and improves efficiency, all while increasing patient satisfaction.
Sanford Health operates 56 hospitals and over 270 clinics across South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The nonprofit health system also includes 144 senior care communities, 4,500 physicians and advanced practice providers, and nearly 1,000 active clinical trials.
Sanford Health president and CEO Bill Gassen said: “For nearly 150 years, millions of patients across America’s heartland have depended on Sanford Health to provide exceptional care.
“As the nation’s largest rural health care system, we’ve built a reputation for pioneering and adopting innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of our communities.
“By implementing Cedar’s financial engagement platform, we’re empowering our patients with the modern, seamless billing experience they deserve.”
