Park Ridge Health Charity Care
Park Ridge Health extends the healing ministry of Christ to all regardless of their ability to pay. Patients unable to pay for services should consult Park Ridge Health financial counselors for assistance with identifying available resources to meet financial obligations.
The Park Ridge Health charity care policy provides guidelines for financial assistance based on financial need to self-pay patients receiving emergency and other non-elective services for medical conditions that would cause patients harm without immediate attention. These services apply to Emergency Department Outpatients, Emergency Department Admissions and follow-up care relating to previous emergency visits. Assistance may range from full write-off to discounted care and is in addition to other discounts offered by Park Ridge Health.
All or a portion of emergency and non-elective services may be considered for charity if certain conditions exist.
To see a list of conditions, click here.
Park Ridge Health's charity care policies are transparent and available to all in compliance with the Language Assistance Services Act. Hospital signage, charity care policies, financial assistance forms and contact information are available in English and Spanish.
Park Ridge Health provides financial counselors to those who are considered "self-pay." Billing statements also include instructions on how to obtain financial assistance.
Both Park Ridge Health and the patient are accountable for their role in the charity care process.
Park Ridge Health is responsible for evaluating patient eligibility for financial assistance based on the charity care policy as well as notifying the patient on payment options while honoring the patient's right to appeal decisions.
Correspondingly, patients are responsible for providing accurate information and all documentation necessary to apply for financial assistance. Below is a list of patient responsibilities in full.
To see a list of patient responsibilities, click here.
When determining patient eligibility for charity care, Park Ridge Health promises to be equitable, consistent and timely. Requests for financial assistance will be accepted up to six (6) months from the date the first statement is remitted to the patient.
Requests may be received from multiple sources. Requests received from a third party will be directed to a financial counselor who will secure proper clearance from the patient and then work with the third party on the patient's behalf.
Park Ridge Health financial counselors attempt to contact all registered, self-pay inpatients during their hospital stay in order to assess needs. In addition, Park Ridge Health may utilize internal staff or third party agents to assist patients in securing Medicaid coverage if eligible. Patient collections communications also inform patients of the availability of financial assistance. Liens attached to insurance (auto, liability, life and health) are permitted. No other personal judgments or liens will be filed against non-elective self-pay patients by a hospital for those with an annual family income of less than 400% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
All patients requesting financial assistance will be required to complete Park Ridge Health's Financial Assistance Application Form in order to establish eligibility. Patients may be eligible for charity care if they are uninsured and represented by specific circumstances. Below is a full list of these circumstances.
To see a list of circumstances, click here.
The completed Financial Assistance Application Form,will be submitted to the Park Ridge Health Patient Financial Services (PFS) department for processing. PFS requires proof of income including employer pay stubs, employer attestation and/or IRS tax return summary. In addition, Medicare beneficiaries are subject to an additional asset test in accordance with Federal Law. This review is completed to determine patient eligibility based on the patient's total resources (including but not limited to family income level, assets [as required for Medicare patients] and other pertinent information).
Charity care approvals will be made according to Park Ridge Health Charity Care Guidelines. To be eligible for a 100% reduction from charges, patients must have a household income at or below 200% of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines. Patients with a household income exceeding 200% but less than 400% will be eligible for a sliding scale discount. The minimum discount for self-pay payments of non-elective services will be 30% with an additional discount opportunity for prompt payment. An asset test is mandatory for Medicare patients. The Medicare patient is responsible for the greater of: 1) Seven percent (7%) of Available Assets (defined as cash, cash equivalent and non-retirement investments) or 2) Required payment per the Charity and Self-pay Discount Worksheet for Non-Elective services.
When determining the patient's income, the household size and income includes all immediate family members and other dependents in the household. This includes an adult (and spouse if applicable), natural or adopted minor children of adult or spouse, students over 18 years of age dependent on the family for over 50% support, and any other persons dependent on the family income for over 50% support. (A current tax return of the responsible adult is required.) Income may be verified by submitting a personal financial statement, copies of W-2, 1040 forms, bank statements or any other form of documentation that supports reported income.
Charity applications processed by PFS are reviewed by Park Ridge Health's Charity Care Committee monthly. The patient will be notified of eligibility for charity care generally within 60 days of receiving a completed application and all required supporting documentation. If the patient disagrees with the decision, he or she may request an appeal in writing within 45 days of the denial and include any additional relevant information that may assist in the appeal evaluation. For those patients who have applied for Medicaid, collection activity will be suspended during the consideration of a completed application. This practice is a courtesy and does not alleviate the financial obligation.
Payment plans for partial charity accounts will be individually developed with the patient. All collection activities will be conducted in conformance with the federal and state laws governing debt collection practices. If the patient does not make three consecutive monthly payments, Park Ridge Health may refer the patient to collections.
Careful records are kept of all charity care transactions.
The provision of charity care may now or in the future be subject to federal, state or local law. Such law governs to the extent it imposes more stringent requirements than this policy.
For further information, call (828) 687-5281.
