Cleveland Clinic reverses change to copay policy
CLEVELAND (WJW) — The Cleveland Clinic is reversing a proposed policy that would have required patients to pay their insurance copays upfront before receiving outpatient care or risk having their appointments canceled.
The reversal follows weeks of growing backlash from patients, healthcare advocates and public officials, including former state senator Nina Turner. Critics said the policy threatened to create unnecessary financial barriers to care, particularly for low-income or vulnerable patients.
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The policy, originally set to take effect June 1, would have impacted insured patients who hadn't paid their copays in advance. At the time, Clinic officials framed the move as a way to streamline billing and reduce outstanding balances. But the announcement quickly sparked outrage and raised concerns that the nation's second-ranked hospital system was putting profits over patients.
In a public statement released Thursday, Cleveland Clinic leadership walked back the plan entirely, saying 'no appointments will be canceled or rescheduled due to an inability to pay a copay at the time of service.' The hospital also reaffirmed its commitment to patient care, highlighting existing options for financial assistance and zero-interest payment plans.
Turner, who was among the most vocal critics, said the policy reversal is a testament to public pressure — not just goodwill.
'The Cleveland Clinic didn't reverse course because it was the right thing to do,' Turner said. 'They reversed course because of the pressure we applied on them.'
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Still, Turner acknowledged the change was meaningful and applauded the Clinic for ultimately listening to community concerns.
'What really brought people together was the feeling that patients were being done wrong,' she said. 'The Clinic did the right thing in this case.'
The Cleveland Clinic declined a request for an on-camera interview. In its written statement, the hospital emphasized that its mission is to provide care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
Financial assistance information for Cleveland Clinic patients can be found on the hospital's website.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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