These signs are posted in appropriate areas of the facility such as the admissions area, the business office, outpatient clinic areas, and the emergency room. The sign informs patients of the availability of hospital assistance and reduced charge care, gives a brief description of the eligibility criteria, and directs the patient to the business office or admissions office of the hospital. Every patient should receive a written notice of the availability of hospital care payment assistance and medical assistance. All charity care applicants must be screened to determine the potential eligibility for any third party insurance benefits or medical assistance programs that might pay towards the hospital bill. Patients may not be eligible for the hospital care payment assistance program until they are determined to be ineligible for any other medical assistance programs.
Patients are responsible to obtain a financial screening from the hospital in a timely manner.
Usually, a patient must apply for Medicaid within 3 months from the date of hospital services. The patient should apply at the business office or admissions office of the hospital. The hospital will make a determination of whether the applicant is eligible as soon as possible, but no more than ten working days from the time a complete application is submitted. If the request does not include adequate documentation to make a determination, the request shall be denied. The applicant will then be allowed to present additional documentation to the hospital.