The south Georgia hospital says patients whose bills are past due at least 90 days as of Feb. 28 will be given a 50 percent discount if they pay by March 31.

Kim Savage, the hospital's comptroller, says the hospital is owed more than $6 million in past due accounts.

She says the hospital has contacted overdue customers by telephone, fliers and through local media to make them aware of the offer.

Charlton County Manager Steve Nance says the hospital sent overdue notices for medical treatment of jail inmates, and the county is paying those bills at the discounted rate.