Do hospital charity care programs take the place of health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid?
No. These programs are not a substitute for health insurance or for any government health assistance programs. Hospitals will usually accept insurance first (including Medicaid or Medicare) and provide care under this program only if you have no insurance and cannot afford to pay. How do I know if my local hospital has a charity care program? If your hospital is non-profit, information about the charity care program must be posted in the emergency room and general waiting areas, the business office, and other visible areas. If you are unsure whether a hospital offers charity care, ask an admissions clerk. If I did not know about charity care when I was admitted, can I still apply for it later? Yes. You can request financial assistance at any pointeven after being billed by the hospital or a collection agency.
