Hospitals such as MCG Health System have programs to help those unable to afford health care.
The rising cost of health care makes receiving and paying for medical procedures and services difficult for those who do not have access to medical care coverage. One federal program that helps patients pay for care is the Hill-Burton Act. Medical facilities that receive funding from the government must provide a certain amount of charity care to patients in return for such funding. MCG Health System is one such Hill-Burton facility that has available funds to use for providing financial assistance to qualified patients.
Income
Income limitation to qualify for charity care through the federally funded Hill-Burton program supported by MCG Health Systems is outlined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As of October 2010, the maximum annual income for a family of two is $14,570 and a family size of four must have income under $22,050. Falling under those thresholds can equate to complete charity coverage of all medical bills incurred through services at MCG Health Center. Additional funding opportunities are available for those with incomes above the poverty levels outlined and individuals and families can have total income as much as two times the stated amount and still receive some form of charity care to reduce total outstanding amounts due to the facility.
Medical Care Program Participation
MCG Health, along with other Hill-Burton facilities, may request individuals to apply for additional government medical care funding programs such as Medicare or Medicaid prior to allowing the individual to receive charity care directly through MCG. This means that one qualification for receiving charity care is to show proof to the facility that you have exhausted all other forms of government assistance for medical bill help. You must show a copy of your completed application and subsequent denial letter to MCG to qualify for charity care. One additional qualification for charity care is proof to show that you do not have access to private medical coverage.
Hill-Burton Individual Notice
To receive and thus qualify for charity care, you must contact the business office at MCG Health and request a copy of the Hill-Burton Individual Notice. This form must be filled out in its entirety and submitted to the authorized agency or department within the medical facility to begin the process of receiving charity care. This form is part of the qualification process. The form will require you to submit information regarding your family size, income and asset holdings. From this form you will be required to submit documentation to support your request for charity care on the basis that you do not have enough income or assets to pay for the medical care on your own.
