CLEVELAND, Ohio — In an effort to control rapidly increasing charity care expenses for the uninsured, Cleveland’s MetroHealth System has implemented a new financial assistance policy that reduces free care for some residents while simultaneously pushing to enroll more patients in health insurance plans.
Here are five takeaways from the original article by health reporter Julie Washington:
1. Some Will No Longer Receive 100% Free Care
The individuals most affected by the new policy are Cuyahoga County residents earning between 251% and 300% of the federal poverty level, which translates to an income of $80,000 to $96,000 for a family of four. Previously, this group was eligible for 100% free care under MetroHealth’s charity program. Under the new “Healthcare Access and Assistance Plan,” they will now receive a 75% discount on their medical bills, ending the provision of fully free services for this income bracket.
Residents earning up to 250% of the federal poverty level will continue to receive 100% free care as long as they participate in financial counseling.
2. Financial Counseling is Now Required for Maximum Discounts
A central component of the new policy is the requirement for patients to engage with MetroHealth’s financial counselors to unlock the highest levels of assistance. Patients who do not meet with counselors will only receive a self-pay discount of 65% on their bills…