UNC Health Care is deeply committed to ensuring that quality healthcare is accessible to everyone in North Carolina, regardless of their financial situation. Recognizing the increasing costs of medical care, UNC Health Care provides substantial uncompensated care, including significant charity care, to patients in need. The Charity Care Program is a cornerstone of this commitment, designed to offer financial assistance to eligible patients across the UNC Health Care System, including Rex Healthcare and Chatham Hospital. This program aims to deliver high-quality healthcare services in a fair, consistent, and effective manner to the community.
What is the UNC Health Care Charity Care Program?
The Charity Care Program at UNC Health Care is a financial assistance initiative dedicated to helping patients who have difficulty affording medical expenses. It acknowledges the growing need for support as healthcare costs rise and is structured to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent individuals from receiving necessary medical attention. This program is available across all UNC Health Care hospitals, reinforcing a unified approach to patient financial assistance throughout the system. It represents UNC Health Care’s responsibility to the community by offering a safety net for those who are uninsured or underinsured.
Key Provisions of the Charity Care Program
The UNC Health Care Charity Care Program offers several important provisions to ease the financial burden on patients:
- Discount for Uninsured Patients: Patients without health insurance receive a substantial 35 percent discount on both physician and hospital charges. This immediate reduction helps to make healthcare services more affordable for those who are paying directly out-of-pocket.
- No-Interest Payment Plans: To further assist with managing medical bills, UNC Health Care provides no-interest payment plans for both physician and hospital charges. These plans allow patients to pay off their balances over time without incurring additional interest charges, making payments more manageable within their budgets.
- Reduced Costs for Low-Income Patients: For patients with incomes below 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, the financial responsibility is significantly reduced to only a copay. This provision ensures that low-income individuals have access to healthcare with minimal financial barriers, focusing on affordability for the most vulnerable populations.
Catastrophic Care Program
Beyond the standard Charity Care Program, UNC Health Care also offers a Catastrophic Care Program. This is designed for patients who may not qualify for charity care but still face overwhelming medical debt due to significant hospital and physician charges. Under this program, eligible patients can have their medical debt reduced to a more manageable level, capped at 20 percent of their annual income, providing a crucial safety net against catastrophic medical expenses.
Patient Responsibilities for Charity Care Consideration
To ensure the Charity Care Program can effectively assist those in genuine need, UNC Health Care requests that patients actively participate in the process and demonstrate a good faith effort by:
- Discussing Financial Status with a Financial Counselor: Patients are encouraged to have an open conversation about their financial situation with UNC Health Care’s financial counselors. These counselors are available to provide guidance and assess eligibility for financial assistance programs.
- Setting Up a Payment Plan: When appropriate, patients are expected to work with financial counselors to establish a feasible payment plan. This demonstrates a commitment to managing their medical expenses responsibly.
- Seeking Alternative Coverage Options: Patients are asked to explore and pursue any alternative methods of healthcare coverage that may be available to them. This proactive approach helps in securing long-term healthcare solutions.
- Completing a Financial Assistance Application: To formally apply for financial assistance, patients need to complete an application for UNC Health Care’s financial assistance programs. As part of the application process, patients are typically asked to provide supporting documents such as prior year’s tax returns (for proof of family size), recent pay stubs, and bank statements to verify their financial status and household information.
How to Get More Information about Charity Care UNC Financial Assistance Program
UNC Health Care provides multiple avenues for patients to ask questions and get assistance regarding billing and the Charity Care Program:
- During a Clinic Visit: Financial Counselors are readily available at each clinic location. Patients can directly speak with them during their visit to discuss financial concerns and explore assistance options.
- By Phone for Charity Care Program Questions: For specific inquiries about the Charity Care Program, patients can contact the dedicated UNC Health Care Charity Care Policy helpline at 919-966-3425, or use the toll-free number 866-704-5286 for broader access.
- By Phone for Billing Questions: For questions related to hospital bills, patients can call 919-966-1234. For UNC P&A billing inquiries, the contact number is 919-966-2211.
- Cost Estimates for Potential Patients: Individuals who are not yet patients but are considering UNC Health Care services and are concerned about costs can also benefit from financial counseling. Financial Counselors in the clinics can provide cost estimates for planned services before a visit and assist with enrollment in the Charity Care Program if applicable, ensuring financial considerations are addressed proactively.
By offering the Charity Care Unc Financial Assistance Program, UNC Health Care reaffirms its dedication to the health and well-being of the North Carolina community, ensuring that financial limitations do not become barriers to receiving essential healthcare services. Patients are encouraged to reach out and utilize these resources to understand and access the financial support available to them.
