Many specialist doctors offices have a financial assistance policy. Look for it on their website or call them. Specialist offices that are affiliated with a health system follow the financial assistance policy of the parent hospital system. Hospital systems are now required by law to display their policy on their website. Non-profit hospitals may have generous financial assistance policies if you do the legwork upfront. Independent specialists may not provide a discount, but it won’t hurt to call and ask.
Examples of financial assistance policies may include: receiving a 50-100% discount off all services based on your family income. That is, free care for patients living below the federal poverty level, and discounted care for those earning between 100% and 500% of the federal poverty level.
You may have to go through a rigorous screening process that includes providing copies of your bank statement, tax returns, and latest pay stubs. There may also be additional criteria such as having legal residency in the state that you are seeking care. Once you are approved, you may be approved for one to three years.
Bottom line: talk to a financial counselor at a specialist’s office before you may actually need it.
