As healthcare costs continue to rise, accessing necessary medical services can be a significant concern for many. UNC Health Care recognizes this challenge and is committed to providing care to individuals in need. In fiscal year 2010-2011 alone, UNC Health Care delivered over $325 million in uncompensated care, with more than $117 million specifically as charity care. This commitment is upheld through the UNC Charity Care Program, designed to ensure that high-quality healthcare services are accessible to the people of North Carolina in a fair, consistent, and effective manner. This program is applicable across all UNC Health Care System hospitals, including Rex Healthcare and Chatham Hospital.
Understanding the UNC Charity Care Program
The UNC Charity Care Program aims to support patients who are unable to fully pay for their medical care. It offers several provisions to ease the financial burden of healthcare expenses. For uninsured patients, the program provides a significant benefit from the outset.
Key Provisions of the Charity Care Program
The program includes several key provisions to assist eligible patients:
- Discount for Uninsured: Uninsured patients automatically receive a 35 percent discount on both physician and hospital charges. This immediate reduction helps to make healthcare costs more manageable.
- No-Interest Payment Plans: To further assist with affordability, the program offers no-interest payment plans for both physician and hospital charges. These plans allow patients to manage their medical bills over time without incurring additional costs from interest.
- Reduced Costs for Lower-Income Patients: Patients with incomes below 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are only required to pay a copay. This provision significantly reduces the financial responsibility for lower-income individuals and families.
Beyond these standard provisions, UNC Health Care also provides a Catastrophic Care Program. This program is designed for patients who do not qualify for charity care but have still accumulated substantial medical debt. Under the Catastrophic Care Program, eligible patients can have their medical debt reduced to a more manageable level, capped at 20 percent of their annual income.
Application Requirements for the UNC Charity Care Program
To ensure the Charity Care Program effectively serves those in genuine need, there are certain requirements for patients seeking assistance. UNC Health Care requests that patients actively participate in the process by demonstrating a good faith effort.
This good faith effort includes:
- Financial Counseling Discussion: Patients are asked to discuss their financial situation with a UNC Health Care financial counselor. This discussion helps to identify the most appropriate form of assistance and understand the patient’s ability to pay.
- Payment Plan Arrangement: Where appropriate, patients are expected to set up a payment plan. This demonstrates a commitment to managing their medical expenses, even if they cannot pay the full amount upfront.
- Exploring Alternative Coverage Options: Patients are encouraged to explore any alternative methods of healthcare coverage that may be available to them. This could include looking into insurance options or other assistance programs.
- Completing the Financial Assistance Application: A key step in accessing the Charity Care Program is completing an application for financial assistance. As part of this application, patients will need to provide certain documentation to verify their financial situation. This typically includes prior year’s tax returns (to confirm family size), recent pay stubs, and bank statements.
For detailed information regarding all aspects of the Charity Care Program, you can visit the official UNC Health Care financial policy document available at http://unchealthcare.org/site/healthpatientcare/patient/other/financialpolicy.pdf.
Contact Information and Further Assistance
Navigating medical billing and financial assistance programs can be complex. UNC Health Care provides several resources to help patients with their questions and concerns.
Billing Inquiries: For questions specifically related to hospital bills, patients or former patients can call 919-966-1234. For UNC P&A billing inquiries, the contact number is 919-966-2211.
Charity Care Program Questions: For any questions about the UNC Charity Care Program and the application process, several avenues for support are available:
- During Clinic Visits: Financial Counselors are conveniently available at each UNC Health Care clinic. This allows for face-to-face discussions and immediate assistance during scheduled appointments.
- By Phone: A dedicated helpline is available for Charity Care Program inquiries. You can reach the UNC Health Care Charity Care Policy helpline at 919-966-3425 or toll-free at 866-704-5286.
- Cost Estimates for Potential Patients: Individuals who are not yet patients but are considering UNC Health Care services and are concerned about potential costs can also receive assistance. Financial Counselors within the clinics can provide cost estimates for planned services before a visit. They can also guide individuals through the Charity Care Program enrollment process if it seems applicable.
UNC Health Care is dedicated to ensuring financial barriers do not prevent individuals from receiving the healthcare they need. The Charity Care Program and its associated resources are vital components of this commitment, offering pathways to affordable care for eligible North Carolina residents.
