Financial Assistance for Hospital Bills. Many people need help with hospital bills, and the assistance program in your hospital can be a great benefit. No one wants unpaid medical bills that can destroy credit, and hospital bills can quickly mount up when you do not have insurance. Assistance programs help low-income patients with “medically necessary” inpatient and outpatient hospital services.
Contact Patient Accounts or the billing department to determine if your hospital provides financial aid services. You can also call the local Department of Health & Human Services to find out what medical assistance programs are available in your city.
6 Organizations that Help with Hospital Bills
1. National Jewish Health Financial Assistance
National Jewish Health helps low-income patients with medical bills, regardless of religion or ability to pay. They also have their medical financial assistance program, NJFAP. Their policy is to assist low-income and disadvantaged patients. If approved, you can receive full or partial assistance.
2. The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFCC)
The NAFCC is a non-profit organization that helps patients locate affordable healthcare. If you do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid or have insurance, the NAFCC can help you find the care you deserve. Their referral program directs those who need help to over 1,200 free community clinics.
3. The Access Project
Founded in 1998, The Access Project (TAP) is a nonprofit organization committed to helping families struggling with medical debt. Their goal is to support communities improve healthcare and increase options for needy families needing medical care.
The Access Project provides Medical Debt Resolution, working with insurance and medical care providers. It and the government offer financial help to pay medical bills and other debts associated with medical care. The Access Project also works with other assistance programs that give aid.
The Access Project
30 Winter Street,
7th Floor Boston, MA 02108
617- 654-9911
4. UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation
You may be eligible for a grant of up to $5,000 or more or a medical grant to families with children needing medical care. These grants help to offset non-medical family expenditures not paid by health insurance. 9700 Health Care Ln, Minnetonka, MN 55343. Phone: 855-698-4223.
5. Hospital Sliding Fee Scale
You may be eligible for charity assistance or hospital financial aid programs to pay hospital bills. If you are uninsured and your gross family income is at or below the Federal Poverty Guideline.
Many major hospitals have charity programs like the Sliding Fee Scale Program for disadvantaged patients. Surprisingly, many people are unaware that this help is available for medical bills.
6. Hospital Bill Charity Assistance
You do not automatically qualify for billing assistance because you do not have the money to pay the bill. Financial guidelines must be met to qualify for help paying medical bills. The hospital financial aid or charity program is for very low-income patients.
To qualify for 100% coverage, your annual income must not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level. If your family income exceeds the limit, you may be eligible for some financial aid. If your medical bill exceeds the medical debt-to-income ratio by 30%, the hospital may cover a portion of your bill.
The Affordable Care Act
The Affordable Care Act is helping those once unable to get medical insurance because of pre-existing conditions. Obamacare is still expensive and out of reach for those who make too much for a subsidy.
Some people make too much money to qualify for the Affordable Care subsidy but cannot afford to pay for medical care. The cost of healthcare is out of reach for many, sometimes living a life without insurance. One medical emergency can result in devastating financial hardship.
How do I Qualify for Help with Hospital Bills?
To be considered for assistance, you must provide documentation of your financial situation. Be prepared to present proof of your annual income to everyone in the household. If you are not working, you must prove you are receiving assistance.
This would include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Women, Infant and Children Assistance (WIC), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Social Security Assistance), etc.
The hospital sliding fee scale will pay from 10 to 100% of the patient’s care. Charity care will pay based on the client’s gross family income. The lower the payment, the more significant the bill is covered. Many hospitals have a variation of this discount program. The program is not highly advertised, so it is up to you to ask about it.
Patients pay according to their family income and ability to pay. Medical bills are one of the most common issues that can destroy your credit and affect your financial stability. Every hospital determines how its financial program works and what procedures it covers.
What Steps do I need to take?
Some facilities want you to use any available resources, such as savings, cash on hand, investments, etc., to be considered for assistance with hospital bills. In extreme medical hardship resulting from treatment for cancer, etc., primary and secondary insurance must have been used first.
Applying for Charity Assistance
- Make an appointment
- Bring proof of identity.
- Present proof of income
- Sign consent for pulling your w-6
Hospital Social Services will also screen the patient or patient’s guardians to see if they qualify for assistance from federal and state aid programs and help clients apply for Medicaid. If all avenues have been used and you can not pay the remainder of your medical bills, contact the hospital bill department for other remedies.
Negotiating Your Hospital Bills
Many do not have medical insurance and do not qualify for the sliding-scale program. The worst thing you can do is not communicate when you have outstanding hospital bills. The good news is that hospitals will work with you concerning your account when you negotiate!
The hospital will also give you up to a 50% discount when you pay your total balance in cash. They can arrange a payment plan if you cannot pay the bill. This is good because as long as you pay your account as agreed, it will continue to collections.
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