Charity Care and Financial Assistance

January 2009

No one is denied necessary medical care due to inability to pay.

McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center provides charity care and financial assistance to eligible patients. Many scheduled procedures do not meet the definition of immediate necessary medical care and may be postponed until payment can be made.

All uninsured patients are eligible for a discount on total charges, regardless of income.  Patients are responsible for the first $500 for non-emergency outpatient services and then a 10% discount is applied to the balance.  All other services are discounted 10% if the patient is uninsured.  The minimum deposit for non-emergency and scheduled services is 30% of the estimated bill.

In addition to the self-pay discount to the uninsured, McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center offers Charity Care for eligible patients.  Our Financial Counselors help scheduled patients complete the paperwork to apply for a charity discount and receive notification from the Hospital’s Business Office of the level of charity discount they are eligible for before the procedure is performed. This enables the patient to have a clearer understanding of the amount they may owe.

Scheduled patients who qualify for some level of charity discount are asked for a deposit prior to scheduling a procedure. The minimum deposit requested is 10% of the estimated bill. If the patient cannot make the deposit, deferral of the procedure may be considered until payment can be made. Scheduled patients who do not qualify for any level of charity discount will be asked for a deposit prior to scheduling a procedure.

Other financial assistance available to patients at McKenzie-Willamette:
The Hospital offers a loan service to patients requiring financial assistance or who wish to carry their payments over a longer term. However, the patient must be able to meet loan qualifications, such as having the financial resources or ability to actually repay the loan.

Charity Care Q&A

What patients are eligible for charity care?

Patients having no insurance coverage whatever. Charity is not available for deductibles and coinsurance or for non-covered services.

When can a Patient complete a charity application?

Our goal is to have this completed and approved prior to a scheduled procedure, unless the patient is admitted through the E.D. If the visit is unscheduled, the patient has 30 days following discharge to provide all documentation to determine eligibility.

What is the discount for self-pay patients?

Every uninsured patient receives a 10% discount regardless of eligibility for charity care.  Patients who are not eligible for charity care receive a 10% discount on all emergency outpatient and inpatient services.  They also receive a 10% discount after the first $500 for non-emergency outpatient services.  Uninsured patients may also qualify for some level of charity care.

What is the range of charity discount that could be applied to a patient’s bill?

Eligibility is based on income and annual medical expenses.  Discounts are applied on a sliding scale, ranging from 40% to a maximum of 90% if eligible for the highest level of discount.

What is the highest level of charity discount applied to patient's bill?

90%

If not eligible for charity, what initial payment is required of patients for non-emergency outpatient services?

Initial patient deductible is $500.00

If eligible for some level of charity discount, what’s the minimum total payment required?

• Inpatients & Emergency Outpatients - 10% payment is due if eligible for maximum charity. Scheduled inpatients are required to make a down payment of 10% of the estimated bill before a procedure is scheduled.
• Emergency patients are asked for payment after the medical screening exam is completed.
• All non-emergency outpatients - 10% of the estimated bill is the minimum required down payment before a non-emergency procedure is scheduled.

If not eligible for some level of charity discount, what’s the minimum payment required for services?

• Inpatients & Emergency Outpatients - 90% payment is due if a patient is not eligible for any level of charity. Scheduled inpatients are asked to pay a down payment of 30% of the estimated bill before a procedure is scheduled. Emergency patients are asked for payment after the medical screening exam is completed.
• All non-emergency outpatients - All non-emergency outpatients pay a $500.00 deductible plus a down payment of 30% of the estimated bill before a procedure is scheduled.

We try to ensure no patient is surprised by an unanticipated bill at the end of a stay or after an outpatient procedure. Most patients are shocked at the costs of hospital care or specific allowable devices.  As a result, we need to apply our financial assistance and charity care resources to those having no other options or coverage, and who arrive at our emergency room because they can receive care no other place.

We do anticipate that this policy may evolve over time as situations and needs change. We do our best to keep patients informed.

Questions?  Please contact our Financial Counselors at 744-6171.