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POLICY: To provide guidelines for a structured procedure so as not to exclude anyone from seeking medical services on the grounds that such a person may not have adequate resources to pay for those services rendered at the Hospital and/or clinic.
PROCEDURE: The definition for recognizing the difference between charity care and bad debt is cited as the "inability" (charity) to pay, versus an "unwillingness" (bad debt) to pay the entire account or the balance of an account not paid by insurance. The purpose of this policy, the inability to pay is determined by formulas based on the U .S: Federal Poverty Guidelines as published and updated periodically in the Federal Register.
1. It is the policy of Field Memorial Community Hospital and Clinics that no patient seeking medical services can be provided by our Hospital and/or Clinics shall be denied access to those services based solely on an inability to pay for those services.
2. This policy refers to medical services rendered to patients who claim they are not able to pay all or any of the cost when service is rendered.
3. Although designated as charity at the time of service, when Field Memorial Community Hospital and Clinics believes a patient who claims charity has assets usable for payment, Field Memorial Community Hospital and Clinics' policy is to make every reasonable attempt to collect payment for medical services rendered.
4. Field Memorial Community Hospital and Clinics may make available services, without charge or at a reduced charge, based on the patient's ability to pay as determined by Field Memorial Community Hospital and Clinics
5. Field Memorial Community Hospital and Clinics reserve the right to investigate and inquire as to the available assets, income and other factors which would assist Field Memorial Community Hospital and Clinics in making the determination of ability to pay. This determination should be set for a defined period (one year) at which time a re-certification of Charity status should be made.
6. Although no charges or a reduced charge is made for medical services rendered a particular patient which are designated as charity care, Field Memorial Community Hospital and Clinics reserve the right to pursue all possible remedies to collect all, or as much, of the charges for those services as is possible.
7. In the event that the patient dies, Field Memorial Community Hospital and Clinics reserves the right to pursue all possible claims against the decedent's estate or against any other person or entity having a legal obligation to pay for the decedent's medical service to recover all, or as much as possible, amounts owing to Field Memorial Community Hospital and Clinics by the decedent for services rendered which were unpaid at the time of the decedent's death. Field Memorial Community Hospital and Clinics may determine upon investigation that the decedent, at the time of death, is eligible for charity classification.
Approved, Board of Trustees, July 22, 2004
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