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Southern Humboldt Community Healthcare District |
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SHCHD |
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Caring for the community we're privileged to serve |
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COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Policy: It is the policy of the Southern Humboldt Community Healthcare District (“SHCHD”) to process all patient accounts fairly and consistently. The discounts described in this policy will be extended to uninsured or underinsured patients receiving medically necessary services. Purpose: SHCHD is dedicated to serving the Northern Mendocino and Southern Humboldt region with a full range of health care from prevention through treatment to wellness. SHCHD is committed to providing financial assistance to those patients with limited or no health insurance to pay for medically necessary care. The purpose of this policy is to define the framework within which these community service discounts will be determined, evaluated and applied. Eligibility Criteria for Community Service Discounting: Any uninsured patient receiving medically necessary services. Any medically necessary services for underinsured patients which are deemed non-covered by their health insurance. Community service discounts are not intended to offset share of cost obligations, deductibles or coinsurance amounts under government or private health insurance programs. In the event the patient and/or their family unit is determined to have assets exceeding $50,000, excluding the primary residence and any retirement funds, the patient may not be eligible for community service discounting or may qualify for a reduced amount. Community service discounts are applied only in conjunction with full payment of the patient’s portion. Extended payment terms may be available at the discretion of SHCHD. Granting of such payment terms shall be free of interest but may result in a lower discount amount. If any patient feels they may qualify for greater discounting based on income guidelines, they may apply for SHCHD’s Financial Assistance and would thereby be governed by processes and documentation requirements outlined in that policy. Failure to qualify for Financial Assistance may still qualify the patient for the previously quoted community service discount amount. Patients whose outstanding balance is greater than 50% of their family unit’s gross annual income may also qualify for greater discounts under SHCHD’s catastrophic allowances detailed in its Financial Assistance Policy. Patient’s falling into this category should be validated through SHCHD’s Financial Assistance process. Patient’s wishing to dispute charges on an account may do so for up to 60 days from the date of service and/or discharge. Quoted community service discount amounts will be valid from the date of the patient’s inquiring for up to 45 days. SHCHD Inpatient and Outpatient Discounting Matrix: If the charges or estimate of charges exceeds $500 the following discounting tier is applicable. Please note that if there are late charges on an account or if the charges exceed the estimated amount, the original discount of 50% will remain effective if the balance is paid in full upon receipt of the itemized statement and prior to 30 days from date of service and/or date of discharge.
*Note: These percentages are subject to review and change each fiscal year. **If the combined balances of smaller accounts exceed $500 these patients will be considered eligible under the above discounting matrix. Note however the discount percentage will vary depending on the age of each individual account. If the charges or estimate of charges is less than $500 the following discounting tier is applicable. Please note that if there are late charges on an account or if the charges exceed the estimated amount, the discount of 10% will remain effective if the balance is paid upon receipt of the itemized statement and prior to 30 days from the date of service and/or date of discharge. Balance or Estimate of Acct: Age of Acct from Discharge: Discount Percentage:
*Note: These percentages are subject to review and change each fiscal year. ***Greater discount amounts may be available at SHCHD’s discretion. |