Atlantic Health System is dedicated to providing essential healthcare services to all patients, regardless of their financial situation. Recognizing that not everyone can afford the full cost of medical care, Atlantic Health System offers financial assistance through various programs, most notably the Nj Charity Care Program. This program is designed to help low-income, uninsured, and underinsured New Jersey residents access necessary hospital services.
If you are concerned about your ability to pay your hospital bills, Atlantic Health System encourages you to explore the available financial assistance options. Applying for these programs can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket medical expenses. To begin the process, you should contact the financial counseling department at Atlantic Health System. Their expert counselors will guide you through the requirements of each program and help determine your eligibility for the NJ Charity Care Program or other forms of assistance.
It’s important to understand that financial assistance and discounts are typically applicable to essential hospital care. Services provided by external physicians, such as anesthesiologists, radiologists (for interpretation), and outpatient prescriptions, may be billed separately from the hospital and might not be covered under Atlantic Health System’s financial assistance policies. Always clarify which services are included when discussing your financial aid options.
For immediate assistance or to start your application for the NJ Charity Care Program, please call Atlantic Health System’s dedicated line at 1-800-619-4024.
Applying for Charity Care in NJ: Required Documentation
To successfully apply for financial assistance, specifically the NJ Charity Care Program, you will need to gather certain essential documents. These documents help Atlantic Health System assess your eligibility and process your application efficiently. Ensure you have the following readily available:
- Identification Documents: You will need to provide proper identification for both the patient and family members. Acceptable documents include a driver’s license, Social Security card, alien registration card, birth certificate, paycheck stub, passport, or visa. Any of these forms of ID can help verify your identity.
- Proof of New Jersey Residency: As the NJ Charity Care Program is for New Jersey residents, you must prove your residency as of the date you received medical services. Accepted documents for residency verification are a driver’s license, a recent utility bill, a federal or state income tax return, or a lease agreement. Note that emergency care may be an exception to the residency requirement under specific circumstances.
- Proof of Gross Income: To determine eligibility based on income, you need to provide proof of your gross income. Atlantic Health System requires detailed income information, and you can typically provide one of the following:
- Actual gross income for the 12 months immediately before your service date.
- Actual gross income for the three months immediately before your service date.
- Actual gross income for the single month immediately before your service date.
- Proof of Assets: You will also need to provide proof of your assets as of the date of service. Assets refer to items that can be quickly converted to cash, such as stocks, bonds, IRAs, Certificates of Deposit (CDs), checking and savings accounts, or equity in a non-primary residence.
Once you have compiled these documents, you will need to send your application to the correct mailing address based on the Atlantic Health System medical center where you received care. Please use the appropriate address from the list below:
For Chilton Medical Center:
97 West Parkway
Attn: Financial Counseling
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
For Hackettstown Medical Center:
651 Willow Grove Street
Attn: Financial Counseling
Hackettstown, NJ 07840
For Morristown Medical Center:
100 Madison Avenue, Interoffice Box 111
Morristown, NJ 07960
For Newton Medical Center:
175 High Street
Newton, NJ 07860
For Overlook Medical Center:
99 Beauvoir Avenue, Interoffice Box 237
Summit, NJ 07902
Discounted Care Eligibility
In addition to the NJ Charity Care Program, Atlantic Health System also offers discounted care. Uninsured New Jersey residents whose family gross income is below 500 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for discounted care. The documentation requirements for discounted care are similar to those for charity care. However, it’s important to note that the individual and family asset thresholds are not considered for discounted care eligibility. This makes discounted care an accessible option for many New Jersey families.
By understanding the NJ Charity Care Program and other financial assistance options at Atlantic Health System, you can take proactive steps to manage your healthcare costs and ensure you receive the necessary medical care without undue financial burden. Contact their financial counseling department today to learn more and begin your application process.
