SAMPLE NARRATIVES:
Financial assistance information is provided in the registration areas by staff, brochures in the waiting areas, signs, admission booklets, and in financial
counseling appointments. The charity program is advertised in the local newspapers, on every statement and letter, on the outside of the envelopes in which
bills are sent to patients, on ads on local buses, at health fairs, included as inserts with monthly statements and radio ads. The charity application and
information is on the hospital's website.
The hospital's financial assistance policy is communicated in both English and Spanish in a variety of ways. Communications include: bilingual signage throughout
the hospital, including the emergency department and outpatient registration areas; distribution of brochures describing the policy and how to apply for assistance;
posting of the policy and application on the website, and a statement added to all publications indicating the availability of charity care. Interpretation services
are available for patients needing information in languages other than English and Spanish.
Patients are given a Financial Assistance handout at registration/admission with information to contact financial counselors if they may have difficulty paying their
hospital bill. All self-pay patients will be visited by a hospital financial counselor to discuss possible financial assistance. Patients scheduling outpatient
procedures are informed of the option to contact financial counselors to discuss financial assistance.
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