Hosptials Revisit Charity Programs Under ACA Regulations

By Coleen Elkins


Hospitals are revisiting their charity programs under ACA. Most hospitals offer discounts for those that are on a cash basis.

There are charitable organizations and foundations that offer assistance to those that can not afford to pay for their hospital stay. Applications for assistance must be submitted for consideration. The income qualification guidelines varied greatly from less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level to 400 percent of the federal poverty level.

Now under ACA it is mandated that hospitals make these programs public. The hospitals are now changing the applications requirements. If someone would qualify for a subsidy under ACA and they did not apply during open enrollment or at the time they became qualified they are disqualified for  financial assistance through the benevolence programs. The hospitals are hoping this will spark enrollments for the 2015 plan year. Some hospitals are considering eliminating the charity programs completely.