Navigating hospital bills can be stressful, especially when facing financial hardship. At UCI Health, we are committed to providing high-quality patient care while also supporting our community’s needs. Our mission to Discover, Teach, Heal extends to ensuring that eligible low-income, uninsured, and underinsured patients can access necessary medical services through our financial assistance and Charity Care programs in California.
It’s important to be aware of the recent changes within UCI Health. As of March 27, 2024, we welcomed the Pacific Coast Network, formerly under Tenet Healthcare. This expansion includes medical centers now known as UCI Health — Fountain Valley, UCI Health — Lakewood, UCI Health — Los Alamitos, and UCI Health — Placentia Linda, along with their associated outpatient facilities. Because of this recent integration, it is crucial to understand that UCI Health’s Financial Assistance Policy may differ based on the specific location where you receive care. We encourage you to learn more about the policies specific to each location: Financial Assistance at UCI Health — Fountain Valley, UCI Health — Los Alamitos, UCI Health — Lakewood, UCI Health — Placentia Linda and related locations.
California also provides a vital resource through the Hospital Bill Complaint Program. This state program acts as a review board for hospital decisions regarding financial assistance eligibility. If you believe your application for financial aid was unfairly denied, you have the right to file a complaint with the Hospital Bill Complaint Program. For detailed information and to file a complaint, please visit hospitalbillcomplaint.hcai.ca.gov.
Charity Care at UCI Medical Center and Associated UCI Health Locations
Our Financial Assistance Program, often referred to as Charity Care, is designed to provide emergency and medically necessary services at reduced or no cost for eligible patients. Eligibility for this program at UCI Medical Center and related locations is determined by a thorough review of a completed financial screening form and the submission of essential documents, including proof of income.
Generally, patients with a family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level may qualify for a 100% discount on their medical bills. For patients with family incomes between 201% and 400% of the federal poverty level, a partial discount may be available, scaled according to income level. Importantly, if you are approved for financial assistance under our Charity Care program, you will not be charged more for emergency or medically necessary care than the standard amount billed to patients with Medicare coverage. This ensures fair and equitable access to healthcare regardless of your financial situation.
Accessing Our Financial Assistance Policy Details
We believe in transparency and make our Financial Assistance Policy and application readily accessible to you in several convenient ways:
- Download Online: You can easily download a digital copy of our policy in English here: Financial Assistance Policy ›
- Physical Copies On-site: Paper copies are available for pickup at the Emergency Department, the Patient Financial Services Department, and any UCI Health location where patient registration takes place.
- Apply via MyChart: For added convenience, you can initiate your application for Financial Assistance directly through MyChart, our online patient portal.
Getting Help and Information
If you require further information or assistance regarding our Charity Care or Financial Assistance Program, our dedicated Shared Business Office is available to help. Please contact them at 833-353-7700, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Language Accessibility
To ensure access for everyone in our diverse community, the Financial Assistance Policy, Financial Screening Form, and a Plain Language Summary are available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Important Note on Participating Practitioners
Please be aware that some physicians providing care at UCI Health facilities may not participate in UCI Health’s Financial Assistance Program. This primarily includes physicians who are not contracted with the UCI Health Medical Group. It is advisable to inquire about physician participation when seeking care.
Submitting Your Application
Once you have completed your application, please return it to the following address:
1500 S. Douglass Road, Suite 200 Anaheim, CA 92806
Financial Assistance Programs at UCI Health — Fountain Valley, UCI Health — Los Alamitos, UCI Health — Lakewood, UCI Health — Placentia Linda, and Affiliated Locations
For patients receiving care at our recently acquired locations (Fountain Valley, Los Alamitos, Lakewood, and Placentia Linda), the financial processes are slightly different, particularly for outpatient and emergency department services. Payment for services is typically requested at the time of discharge. Patient Access staff will inform you of your financial responsibility, including insurance co-payments or self-pay amounts, which will be collected during the discharge process. If you need assistance understanding the billing and payment process, resources like the Health Consumer Alliance are available. You can also find pricing information for various services on our price transparency page.
For uninsured patients at these locations, several alternative funding and payment plan options exist. Our Patient Access team will work with you to identify the most suitable option based on applicable regulations and hospital policies. The following programs are available to support patients:
Policy: Financial Assistance for Uninsured Patients
Eligibility and Enrollment Services (EES) Program
The Eligibility and Enrollment Services (EES) Program is a free service offered by the hospital to help you explore potential financial assistance avenues. Through EES, you may discover eligibility for government programs or coverage through Covered California, the state health exchange. These programs can significantly reduce or even fully cover your hospital and medical expenses. Our dedicated Patient Advocates within the EES program can provide application forms and personalized assistance throughout the application process.
Charity Care Program — Financial Assistance at Acquired Locations
A Charity Care Program is also available at these locations for patients who lack the financial resources to pay for their hospital expenses and do not qualify for other medical eligibility programs. You may be eligible if your household income is below 400% of the federal poverty limit and you are either uninsured or have medical expenses exceeding 10% of your annual household income. To determine eligibility for financial assistance, you will need to complete a confidential Financial Application and provide documentation to verify your financial situation. For more information and assistance with the application process, please contact EES at (844) 320-0965, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT.
Uninsured Discount Program
All uninsured patients at these locations are eligible for discounts on their medical bills through our Uninsured Discount Program. These discounts are structured to be comparable to the rates typically paid by commercial insurance providers. Additionally, non-profit credit counseling services may be available in your area to provide further financial guidance.
Additional Outside Assistance Programs
Beyond UCI Health’s programs, numerous external assistance programs can provide support, including:
- Medicaid/Medi-Cal
- Supplemental Security Income
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- County Indigent Programs
- Social Security Disability
- Victims of a Violent Crime Fund
- Medical Low-Income Adults programs
Furthermore, you might qualify for programs like the Healthy Families Program, California Children’s Services, or coverage through Covered California. In certain situations, retroactive coverage through Covered California or Medi-Cal may be possible for care received prior to your application. Your EES representative can offer detailed information about these external programs. Reach out to EES at 844-320-0965 during business hours for personalized assistance.
We at UCI Health are dedicated to ensuring you receive the care you need. If you have concerns about your ability to pay for medical services, please do not hesitate to contact us to explore your options under our Charity Care and financial assistance programs.
