when Healthcare Bills Exceed Financial Means
As part of its not-for-profit mission of advancing the health and well-being of the communities it serves, Lancaster General cares for anyone, regardless of their financial means.
In addition to conducting wellness initiatives aimed at keeping our community healthy and avoiding hospital stays, Lancaster General helps uninsured families and those with little insurance through its Financial Assistance Program. Last year, more than 4,000 people received more than $9 million in discounts on their hospital bills through the program. Additionally, Lancaster General assisted 1,400 more people access Medical Assistance coverage.
Today, a growing number of people earn incomes above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) but are not insured. If someone cannot pay their bill, Lancaster General wants to help. Our staff counsels individuals on their options and offers a comprehensive Financial Assistance Program that can be tailored to the patient’s needs and budget.
Lancaster General’s Financial Assistance Program is available to anyone who earns less than 400 percent of the FPL. For example, a family of four could have an income up to $84,800 and still qualify for some level of financial assistance (see chart below). Anyone who earns less than 200 percent of the FPL can qualify for free medical care from Lancaster General.
“We’re trying to catch those people who fall between the cracks: The hardworking middle class person who doesn’t have insurance but also doesn’t qualify for complete medical assistance,” explained Denise Kennedy, Vice President of Financial Services for Lancaster General.
Some patients without insurance do not qualify for financial assistance from Lancaster General because of annual income or personal holdings. Even so, every uninsured patient receives a 25 percent discount on Lancaster General’s charges.
“In most cases, a 25 percent discount is better than insurance plans receive from Lancaster General,” she explained.
|
Persons in Household |
200% FPG* |
400% FPG* |
|
1 |
$20,800 |
$41,600 |
|
2 |
$28,000 |
$56,000 |
|
3 |
$35,200 |
$70,400 |
|
4 |
$42,400 |
$84,800 |
|
5 |
$49,600 |
$99,200 |
*Per the chart: A family of four earning less than $42,400 (200 percent of the Federal Poverty Line) may qualify for free medical care from Lancaster General. If the family earned less than $84,800 they could quality for a discount on medical charges of more than 25 percent. The lower the earnings, the higher the assistance from Lancaster General.
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