RESOURCES

Financial Assistance

 

Hardin Medical Center Charity, Uninsured, and Indigent Policy

 

Hardin Medical Center (HMC) is committed to treating all patients equitably, with dignity, respect, and compassion. HMC provides services in anticipation of payment by the patient and/or guarantor for those services rendered. HMC determines eligibility for financial assistance and assists patients in qualifying for available payment sources. HMC offers patients who qualify for financial assistance a reasonable variety of payment options and terms, including partial payment. HMC will provide a self-pay discount in compliance with Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA)-68-11-262. The discount percentages will be evaluated annually and adjusted as necessary. This uninsured discount will be applied based on total charges before any other discounts for which the patient qualifies.

The benefits offered by this policy depend on the patient providing the information necessary to determine eligibility. Failure of the patient to provide requested information in a timely manner will result in the application of standard collection processes.

 

1. Identify whether the patient is able or partially able to pay for services, using a sliding scale to determine the patient's ability to pay based on the % of the current-year HHS Poverty Guidelines.​

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2. Identify whether the uninsured or medically underinsured patient is eligible for payment arrangements.​

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3. All self-pay non-charity/indigent patients are eligible for 25% prompt pay discount; if the balance is paid in full within 30 days of first statement, and the balance due is more than $100.00.

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4. All self-pay patients are required to pay up front or after care deposits for services rendered, regardless of their charity status. Insured patients are required to pay the lesser of $25 or their copay for the service.

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5. Additional discounts must be approved by the Hardin Medical Center Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer.

 

6. Uninsured or medically underinsured patients may be approved for charity/indigent care if the total amount owed to the hospital exceeds $100.00. However, if the balance is less than $100.00 balance is to be paid in full.

 

7. HMC Physician Service accounts will follow the same hospital guideline for charity/indigent care discounts,

 

8. Eligibility will be effective for 1 year without filling out a new application

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Non-Covered Services

Special promotion/package priced procedures that have been reduced, or special pricing arrangements associated with them.

Cosmetic surgery is performed to enhance one's appearance.

 

Definitions:

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Indigent Care — Care provided to patients whose gross income is at or below the Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines.

Uninsured — Patients for whom no third party is responsible for their medical claims

Medically Underinsured — Any patient who has incurred out-of-pocket liability exceeding $5,000 in a single encounter.

Charity Care — Provision of help or relief to that patient whose gross income is above the poverty guidelines but does not exceed two times the income amount for their category.

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Effective Date: 07/01/2024 Business Office Updated: 07/01/2024