This initiative was offered as a solution to help offset operating costs like rent, utilities, medical supplies and staff services. Under the plan, physicians will continue to provide their services for free. Patients will still be responsible for the remainder of their bill unless prior arrangements have been made with each clinic's financial services department. In order to qualify for discounts on their medical bills, patients must be evaluated by a financial counselor every six months.
Discounts are scalable and based upon family size and income.
In order for both of these things to work, you need available dollars. It's a move that follows other area health care clinics including Franklin C. Fetter and the Sea Island Clinic in John's Island. Today, hospitals and health care facilities everywhere are feeling the pinch caused by lower payments made from managed care companies and Medicare cuts from the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. The deposit plan will affect patients throughout MUSC's system. Although the deposit will be requested in the Children's Hospital, it will not be required.