Charity Financial Assistance (Medical Debt Mitigation) Policy

Politica de Ayuda Financiera en Espanol

Financial relief and payment plans may be available to patients whose income falls between 0 - 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) under the Charity Financial Assistance components of our Medical Debt Mitigation Policy. For patients whose income is up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, a full charity discount may be available. For patients whose income is in-between 200 and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, we have an expanded financial assistance policy that may reduce the amount a patient owes.

If a patient is determined to be eligible for charity financial assistance under our medical debt mitigation policy, the patient has the option to enter into an appropriate payment plan (such plans may have capped duration and monthly payments for patients below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level). A patient who agrees to a payment plan may request and have an opportunity to renegotiate such payment plan, which will include opportunity for a new financial assessment of the patient's financial status.

To determine eligibility for either full or partial financial assistance, patients should contact the hospital for details on how to apply for assistance.

All Self-Pay patients, excluding elective cosmetic procedures and facility designated self-pay flat rate procedures, will receive a discount similar to managed care, referred to as an "uninsured discount". The uninsured discount is limited to patients who have no third-party payer source of payment or do not qualify for Medicaid, Charity or any other discount program the facility offers. The amount of the discount offered may vary by location based on state requirements, patient income levels, and local rates.

Patients confirmed to be uninsured (or their responsible party) will be presented with an Uninsured Patient Information document that provides an overview of the Uninsured Discount Policy and other available discounts and payment options. This document will outline the process for uninsured discounts and inform the patient of additional account resolution options (i.e. interest-free monthly payments). At the time of service, patients will be asked to make payment in full or establish monthly payment arrangements on the patient liability amount. The patient/responsible party will be asked to sign and date the document at the time of service.

Learn more about HCA Healthcare's Patient Financial Support policies and programs.

Patient Financial Information

The PLP program provides protection for patients with household incomes between 400 and 1,000% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The discounts under this program help patients who may find themselves with limited coverage, a high deductible plan or who may be out of network. Similar to the policies above, these discounts are need-based and calculated on a sliding scale based on the patient’s annual household income. The PLP further limits patient balances and may be combined with the charity or uninsured discount.

At our Mission Health Rural Health Centers, no one will be denied access to care due to an inability to pay. There is a discounted/sliding fee schedule available based on family size and income. Please see the following practices fit into an RHC category below:

• Mission Health Center – McDowell
  • Mission My Care Now McDowell
  • Mission Surgery McDowell
  • Asheville Cardiology Associates – Marion
  • Mission Women’s Care McDowell
• Mission Community Medicine – Sugar Hill
  • Asheville Orthopedic Associates - Marion
  • Mission Health Center Sugar Hill
• Mission Health Center Franklin
  • Angel Primary Care
  • General Surgery Franklin
  • Angel Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Mission My Care Now- Franklin
• Mission Health Mauzy - Phillips Center
  • Mission Community Medicine Spruce Pine
  • Mission My Care Now Spruce Pine
  • Mission Women’s Care Spruce Pine
  • Mission Community Surgery Spruce Pine
  • Mission Community Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Blue Ridge
• Mission Community Primary Care Cashiers
• Mission Community Primary Care-Haywood
• Mission Community Medicine – Nebo
• Mission Health Center - Highway 70
• Blue Ridge Medical Center - Yancey Campus
• Mission Health Center - Rutherford

Mission Health is committed to responsible billing and collections. Our financial counselors work with patients to establish interest-free payment arrangements. Patients who make payments at the time of service for their estimated financial liability receive a 20% discount of the amount owed. These policies and resources reflect our desire to mitigate personal financial issues arising from our patients’ medical bills. But we can only act when we are aware, and thus encourage our patients to take responsibility for seeking assistance as soon as issues or questions arise.

Mission Health is committed to responsible billing and collections. Our financial counselors work with patients to establish interest-free payment arrangements. Patients who make payments at the time of service for their estimated financial liability receive a 20% discount off of the amount owed. In addition, we do not report to credit bureaus, and we do not pursue litigation activity that involves suing patients or filing liens on patient bad debt accounts.

These policies and resources reflect our desire to mitigate personal financial issues arising from our patients’ medical bills. However, we can only act when we are aware and thus encourage our patients to take responsibility for seeking assistance as soon as issues or questions arise.