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Financial Assistance Program
Mercy's mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus by improving the health of our communities with an emphasis on people who are poor and underserved. We care for everyone who comes to us in need regardless of his or her ability to pay. Meeting the needs of people with limited resources has been at the heart of our mission for 150 years.
Mercy recognizes the difficulty unexpected medical problems can cause to your finances. We are here to help so that patients can obtain medical benefits from federal, state and hospital programs. We want to assist you in finding resources that may help pay your hospital bill. In fact, every patient who does not have insurance is eligible for discounts.
Hospital Eligibility Link Program (H.E.L.P.) - Financial Help for Patients and Their Families
We provide financial assistance to uninsured patients through our Hospital Eligibility Link Program (H.E.L.P.). HELP is a free referral service provided by Mercy Health Partners. We are here to assist patients in obtaining medical benefits through federal, state, and hospital programs. If you cannot afford to pay for some or all of your hospital bill today, Mercy will:
- Tell you where and how you may get assistance to pay your hospital bills.
- Assist you in finding programs that you qualify for.
- Sign you up for state and/or hospital programs that match your need.
Based on how much you earn, you may qualify for:
- Free care
- Discounts
- No-interest payment terms
Patients and their counselors look at what options are available. We understand that not everyone can pay for healthcare services. We are here to offer options and assistance for those who are uninsured or underinsured and to serve as patient advocates.
Federal Poverty Guidelines
If a patient does not meet the criteria for the federal assistance programs available, Mercy will provide a discount to the patient using a sliding scale based on 2009 Federal Poverty Guidelines below:
| Family Size |
100% FPG |
For families with more than 8 persons, add $3, 740 for each additional person.
More than 400% FPG Self-pay; eligible for discount
|
|
1
|
$10,830 |
| 2 |
$14,570 |
| 3 |
$18,310 |
| 4 |
$22,050 |
| 5 |
$25,790 |
| 6 |
$29,530 |
| 7 |
$33,270 |
| 8 |
$37,010 |
Published January 23, 2009. Federal Poverty guidelines go into effect each year on the date they were published in the Federal Register. Eligibility for any date of service on or after that date should be judged by the new guidelines. Dates of service prior to that date should be judged by the old guidelines. Click here to view previous years' guidelines as published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- We offer free care for any person who earns up to twice the Federal Poverty Guidelines (
- We offer substantially discounted care for any person who earns up to four times the Federal Poverty Guidelines
- We offer discounts like those we agree to with commercial payors for patients earning more than four times the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Mercy treats all patients with dignity and respect from the bedside to the billing office. It's the right thing to do. Federal law echoes our mission--we care for every person who asks to be treated. We do so regardless of race, sex, creed, citizenship or ability to pay.
To apply for financial assistance from Mercy, you may use our secure, online application form below. If you need assistance in completing the form, have questions, or would like to speak directly with a patient representative, please call 513/981-6500 or toll-free 1-866-808-0078. We're here to help. If you have questions about your ability to pay or about available programs, please call. We work with each patient to help meet their individual needs and circumstances.
Billing
Mercy's billing and collection policies are consistent with our mission and values. When you receive a bill from Mercy, it covers the services you received at one of our healthcare delivery facilities. You may receive separate bills from your personal physician, surgeon, pathologist or other healthcare professional.
To make a payment by telephone, please call 513/981-6500 or 1-866-808-0078 and do the following:
- Make a payment on your account using a check or credit card.
- Request an itemized statement.
- Provide insurance information.
- Update your address and telephone number.
- Obtain information on our financial assistance programs and more.
You can also make a payment online using our convenient and secure online bill pay system.
If you have specific questions about your account, our Customer Service Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We also offer a 24-hour automated customer service line and Spanish-speaking representatives.
We repeatedly offer patients access to financial help during their hospital stay and after, as well as with each billing notice. We send bills to collection as a last resort, only:
- When patients have the ability to pay some portion of their healthcare expenses but refuse to do so.
- When patients refuse to work with us to determine if they qualify for free or discounted care via federal, state, local or hospital assistance programs.
- When we are unable to locate the patient or the person responsible for the bill.
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