The Health Council, with assistance from its members, created uniform guidelines for hospitals to use for their billing and collections for low income, uninsured patients. The guidelines emphasize the role hospitals have in assisting patients in understanding their payment options and working with them to pay their medical bills. In addition, it stresses the responsibility patients have to communicate their financial situations and take advantage of any programs that will allow them to meet their financial requirements. While Greater Cincinnati hospitals have programs in place that assist the low-income, uninsured in paying their bills, they also provide free charity care up to 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. In 2002, Greater Cincinnati hospitals provided $107 million in uncompensated care.

Click here to view the guidelines.

If you have questions, contact Rick Delewski at (513) 531-0200 or email him at rdelewski@gchc.org.