Experian to add work for hospitals

Credit-reporting bureau Experian PLC said it agreed to acquire SearchAmerica Inc., a company in the business of mining patients' financial data to help hospitals determine how likely patients are to pay their medical bills. SearchAmerica uses financial data collected by credit bureaus to help hospitals determine whether patients registering for treatment will qualify for financial-assistance programs such as Medicaid or charity care. The company also generates a healthcare credit score and helps hospitals figure out who has the means to pay and who should be pursued most actively for payment after patients receive care.