Eligibility
What method do you use to assess patient eligibility?
The Sliding Fee Scale
Can you mention the types of income that can be used for the SFDP?
Wages, Retirement, Soc. Security, Alimony, Child Support, Unemployment, Workers Compensation, Disability Income, Rental Income, Veteran Benefits, and Welfare Cash payments.
Does SCH charges patients with income below 100%? What this charge is known as?
Yes, patients under 100% FPL are charge a nominal fee.
What other patients beside the self-pay should be screen for the Sliding Fee Discount Program?
Underinsured patients with high deductible, co-insurance, and high copays.
How many levels we have in our Sliding Fee Scale?
3 levels
How to do determine the eligibility of insured patients?
Using the sliding fee scale table and assessing insurance information, gathering the information from the patient or the response history in Epic.
Can you define refusal to pay based on our SFDP Policy?
Patient making no good effort to make a payment plan or addressing any other outstanding balance over 90 days.
Does the health center has more than one Sliding Fee Scale?
No, we have only one
Under what circumstances will you offer a Waiver to a patient?
Under extreme circumstances such as, natural disaster, homelessness, house fire, loss of income, recent disability, etc.
What income should not be used to determine gross annual income?
Non-cash benefits such as Medicare, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Scholarships, grants for tuition, and students loans.
Define Family Unit
The number contributing to and/or dependent upon the household income. This reflects the patient, family members, or significant others who are financially interdependent.
What is the process to extend a Waiver to a patient?
Waivers will need the approval of management before being offered to the patient.
What is the name of the government organization that supports Community Health Centers?
HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration)
How do our Sliding Fee Scale get updated and when?
Based on the income published by the US Federal Government on the first month of the year.