MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - A health-related law firm in Madison has received a federal grant to help doctors determine if a patient is eligible for government programs.

ABC for Health is getting $1.2 million from the National Institutes of Health over the next 4 years, to create a computer program that hospitals and clinics can use.

Bobby Peterson says ABC addresses eligibility questions all the time – and it’s just a matter of translating it to computer language. He says the new software will help doctors and patients weave through the little details of government programs like BadgerCare.

ABC for Health was founded 16 years ago to help people enroll in state programs, apply for charity care, and challenge insurance rejections. The law firm has applied a patent on the software it will create. And because it will help patients join government programs, Peterson says it also means that doctors and hospitals will get more reimbursements to serve those patients.

He said his firm generated $15 million in 5 years for Saint Mary’s Hospital in Madison, by identifying patients eligible for state health programs. Officials say it can also reduce bad debts for a hospital.