Charity Care and Discount Policies

Our Charity Care and Discount Policies

In keeping with our tradition and mission of caring for all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, Blue Ridge HealthCare (BRHC) provides relief, within our financial capability, for medical expenses incurred by people who do not have the financial resources to pay for their healthcare.  Our Charity Care, Bad Debt and Discount Programs will be applied in a fair and defined manner that evaluates and determines, without bias, a patient’s ability to pay for services we have already provided or are prepared to provide.  If you believe you qualify for assistance under any of these programs, we will determine your financial status, so that both the you and BRHC will know whether your personal situation involves an inability to pay, an unwillingness to pay or a qualified discount. Family size and the Federal Income Poverty guidelines published annually by the Department of Health and Human Services will be key elements used to determine your eligibility for any of our programs.  BRHC will exhaust every other payment option before considering an application for Charity Care Service, including, but not limited to, Medicaid and other programs. The portion designated as patient or guarantor responsibility on a discounted charity account balance requires prompt and complete payment. Complete and accurate documentation of such (charity care).  determinations shall be maintained and reported upon as required. 

Our Charity Care Policy

Charity Care applications may be accepted and considered for inpatient and outpatient services.  Elective and cosmetic services are not eligible.  Your assets, unusual expenses, and the dollar amount of the medical bill will also be taken into consideration.  Applications for Charity Care on inpatient admissions and outpatient balances of $1,000.00 and greater will be complete and accurate and include verifiable proof of income and/or assets (i.e., W-2 forms, tax return, payroll check stubs, statements from employer, deeds, tax record, etc.).  All other avenues to obtain financial assistance and third party payment must be exhausted prior to receiving Charity Care adjustments.  Charity Care will only apply to the remaining balance after all third party payments are applied.  Applications for Charity Care for outpatient visits less than $1,000.00 will be processed based on a sliding scale using the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (i.e., W-2 forms, tax return, payroll check stubs, statements from employer, deeds, tax record, etc.).  Financial arrangements will be made with the patient or guarantor in a timely and thorough manner.  When the patient and guarantor cannot make payment at time of service, or within 60 working days after insurance responsibility has been resolved, charity consideration is available.  Patient accounting information will be reviewed to identify all of the guarantor’s accounts needing charity consideration.  This information will be documented completely and accurately.

Income

The following sliding scale will be used in determining eligibility for Charity Care:

Sliding Scale	120%	160%	200%	225%	250%
# in Family	Maximum Income for 100% Write-off	Maximum Income for 80% Write-off	Maximum Income for 60% Write-off	Maximum Income for 40% Write-off	Maximum Income for 20% Write-off
1	$ 9,310	$11,172	$13,034	$14,896	$16,758
2	12,490	14,988	17,486	19,984	22,482
3	15,670	18,804	21,938	25,072	28,206
4	18,850	22,620	26,390	30,160	33,390
5	22,030	26,436	30,842	35,248	39,654
6	25,210	30,252	35,294	40,336	45,378
7	28,390	34,068	39,746	45,424	51,102
8	31,570	37,884	44,198	50,512	56,826
For each additional person add	3,180	3,816	4,452	5,088	5,724

Patients are expected to pay the amount of their account that is not eligible for write-off according to charity guidelines.  Patients who fail to pay their calculated balance after deducting the charity adjustment will become delinquent and follow normal collection procedures.  This portion of the account will become a bad debt if it is not paid after exhausting all collection efforts.

Once an application is approved for Charity Care, all accounts with the hospital, within the prior three months, may be included in the Charity Care determination.  Accounts with litigation pending will not be included in the Charity Care adjustment.  Patients approved for Charity Care requiring future services will be re-evaluated for eligibility at the time services are rendered.  Charity Care applications and documentation will be kept on file for 90 days after Charity Care approval.

Assets

A charity care applicant’s home site (including house and one acre up to $50,000 in equity) will be exempt from inclusion of assets.  Any additional real and personal property may be used in the evaluation in determining Charity Care.  The amount of cash in savings and checking accounts will also be used in determining Charity Care.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide, upon request, adequate documentation of checking/savings accounts, CD’s, Certificates, Stocks and Bonds.  Acceptable documentation will consist of current bankbooks or statements.  Patients who do not cooperate fully with applying for other third party coverage and those who own property valued at $50,000 or more will not be eligible for charity care adjustments.

Medically Indigent

 The amount of the hospital bill may be considered in relation to all other factors outlines above.  While eligibility related to meeting criteria at the time service is rendered, the history of service and the need for future service may also be considered.  Patients with catastrophic hospitalization costs, including verifiable debts with other medical providers and above average net worth may be considered for Charity Care. BRHC will provide adjustments to self-pay patients who have catastrophic illnesses.  Adjustments will be evaluated for the uninsured and underinsured including patients with large co-pay / deductible and non-covered amounts.

Truth and Accuracy on the Charity Care Application

BRHC reserves the right to reverse uncompensated services provided by the Charity Care policy if the information provided on the application is determined to be falsified or if proof that the applicant has received compensation for services from another source is obtained.  If the charity care adjustment is reversed, BRHC will pursue all collection efforts to obtain payment.

Criteria to qualify for charity care change every year, so if you believe you may qualify, please call one of our financial counselors at 580-5090 or 879-7576.   

Our Discount Program for Uninsured and Underinsured Patients

Blue Ridge HealthCare makes numerous options available to assist patients in meeting their financial obligations for services received at our facilities.  The options include assisting patients  in qualifying for government assistance, Charity Care and direct financing.  For those individuals who do not qualify for charity care, Medicaid or other assistance, BRHC offers prompt payment discounts.  Discounts are based on account balance and timeliness of payment.  Discounts will only be applied to the account once payment of the balance (less the discount) is received.  If an individual fails to meet agreed upon time frame for the prompt payment discount, the discount becomes void.  BRHC offers the following discount arrangements:

Account Balance	Payment on Date of Service with Credit Card (Access One)	1 – 10 Days From Discharge Date	11 – 30 Days From Discharge Date	31 - 60 Days From Discharge Date
Less than $1,000	10%	10%	10%	0%
$1,001 - $5,000	15%	10%	10%	0%
$5,001 - $20,000	25%	20%	10%	0%
$20,001 - $50,000	30%	25%	20%	10%
Over $50,001	35%	30%	30%	20%