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A Member of Trinity Health – 11/2016
Financial Assistance and Charity Care Policy
In the spirit of our mission to serve together in the spirit of the Gospel as a compassionate
and transforming healing presence within our communities, Saint Alphonsus is committed to
providing healthcare services to all patients based on medical necessity; providing care for
all persons, regardless of their ability to pay for services.
For patients who require financial assistance or who are experiencing temporary financial
hardship, Saint Alphonsus offers several assistance and payment options, including charity
and discounted care, short term and long term payment plans and online patient portal
payment capabilities.
Uninsured Patients
Saint Alphonsus extends discounts to all uninsured patients who receive medically
necessary services. Patient statements will reflect the discount amount and the adjusted
balance due. Services such as cosmetic procedures, hearing aids and eye care that
normally are not covered by insurance are priced at package rates with no additional
discount. These services are expected to be paid at the time of service.
Short-Term and Long Term Payment Plans
Patients who cannot pay some or all of their financial responsibility may qualify for short
term or long term payment plans. Saint Alphonsus’ short term payment plan is interest free
and patient balances can be paid over the course of one year. Longer term interest bearing
payment plans are available for those patients who cannot pay their balances within twelve
months.
Financial Assistance / Charity Care Policy
A full discount for medically necessary services is available to patients who earn 200
percent or less of the Federal Poverty Level guidelines. Elective services such as cosmetic
surgery are not included in our charity program. Those who earn between 200 and 400
percent of the Federal Poverty Level guidelines may be eligible for a partial discount.
Patients who qualify for financial assistance will not be charged more than the Medicare
discount rate. Discounts are also available for those patients who are facing catastrophic
costs associated with their medical care. Catastrophic costs occur when a patient’s medical
expenses for an episode of care exceed 20% of their income.
Charity care discounts may be denied if patients are eligible for other funding sources such
as a Health Insurance Exchange plan, Medicaid eligibility, or other public assistance
programs and refuse or are unwilling to apply.
You may access an application and the complete Financial Assistance Policy at our
website: www.saintalphonsus.org/financial-services.
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A Member of Trinity Health – 11/2016
Patient Financial Services
Financial counselors are available to work with patients in completing financial assistance
applications in order to determine what assistance is available. This includes assessing
eligibility for Medicaid and Health Insurance Exchange plans.
Patients may contact a financial counselor at the hospital where they receive care to receive
assistance in determining qualifications for financial assistance. Financial counselors can
also provide free copies of the Financial Assistance Policy, Application, and Plain Language
Summary for your review. Please contact or visit our Patient Financial Service Department
for the following locations:
Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center – Boise 208-367-3770
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center - Nampa 208-463-5538
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center - Ontario 541-881-7035
Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Baker City 541-523-6461
Saint Alphonsus Medical Group 208-367-5170
The Financial Assistance Policy, Application and Plain Language Summary are also
translated into Spanish and are available for communication in other languages by
contacting the Patient Financial Services department at the numbers listed above.
The Health Insurance Marketplace
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires everyone legally living in the U.S. to have health
insurance beginning January 1, 2014. It also gives millions of individuals with too little or no
insurance, access to health plans at different cost levels. The law also provides financial
assistance to those who qualify based on family size and income. Beginning October 1,
2013, you will be able to shop at a new online Health Insurance Marketplace, also known as
a health insurance exchange, where you can one-stop-shop for a plan that fits your budget
and coverage needs. The next open enrollment for the health insurance exchange
marketplace is in November 2016.
