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Hill-Burton Free and Reduced-Cost Health Care

Uncategorized March 21, 2018

Hill-Burton Free and Reduced-Cost Health Care

In 1946, Congress passed a law that gave hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities grants and loans for construction and modernization. In return, they agreed to provide a reasonable volume of services to persons unable to pay and to make their services available to all persons residing in the facility’s area. The program stopped providing funds in 1997, but about 140 health care facilities nationwide are still obligated to provide free or reduced-cost care.
Since 1980, more than $6 billion in uncompensated services have been provided to eligible patients through Hill-Burton.
More about Hill-Burton Free or Reduced-Cost Care
You are eligible to apply for Hill-Burton free care if your income is at or below the current Federal Poverty Guidelines. You may be eligible for Hill-Burton reduced-cost care if your income is as much as two times (triple for nursing home care) the HHS Poverty Guidelines. Facilities may require you to provide documentation that verifies your eligibility, such as proof of income.
Care at Hill-Burton obligated facilities is not automatically free or reduced-cost. You must apply at the admissions or business office at an obligated facility and be found eligible to receive free or reduced-cost care. You may apply before or after you receive care — you may even apply after a bill has been sent to a collection agency.
Only facility costs are covered, not your private doctors’ bills.
Some facilities may use different eligibility standards and procedures. They are identified on the Hill-Burton list of obligated facilities as PFCA, CFCA, UACA and 515. Their programs may be called either a free care, charity care, discounted services, indigent care, etc.
Hill-Burton facilities must post a sign in their admissions and business offices and emergency room that notifies the public that free and reduced-cost care is available. When you apply for Hill-Burton care, the obligated facility must provide you with a written statement that tells you what free or reduced-cost care services you will get or why you have been denied.
You may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if you believe you have been unfairly denied Hill-Burton free or reduced-cost care. Send complaints to:
Director, Division of Poison Control and Healthcare Facilities
5600 Fishers Lane
Room 8W
Rockville, MD 20857
Email: DFCRCOMM@hrsa.gov
Our brochure entitled “Free Hospital Care” provides additional information about the Hill-Burton program and instructions for filing an application. It also explains circumstances under which a facility may refuse a request and what is needed to file a complaint, if you feel that you have been unfairly denied free or reduced-cost care.

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  • Frequently Asked Questions about Free Clinics

    by on March 21, 2018 - 0 Comments

    What services are covered under the Hill-Burton program? Each facility chooses which services it will provide at no or reduced cost. The covered services are specified in a notice which is published by the facility and also in a notice provided to all persons seeking services in the facility. Services fully covered by a third-party […]

  • Frequently Asked Questions on uncompensated services

    by on March 21, 2018 - 0 Comments

    Frequently Asked Questions What are uncompensated services? Uncompensated Services is the term applied to health services made available at no charge or at reduced charges under Titles VI (Hill-Burton) and XVI of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act to eligible persons unable to pay. Who must provide uncompensated services? All health facilities which received grants, […]

  • What is offered at Hill-Burton facilities ?

    by on March 21, 2018 - 0 Comments

    Free and reduced-cost health care is available to people who cannot afford to pay at Hill-Burton obligated facilities. These facilities must post a sign in their Admissions Office, Business Office, and Emergency Room advising people of their free and reduced-cost care obligation. The sign must read, “NOTICE Medical Care for Those Who Cannot Afford to […]

  • Hill-Burton Free and Reduced-Cost Health Care

    by on March 21, 2018 - 0 Comments

    Hill-Burton Free and Reduced-Cost Health Care In 1946, Congress passed a law that gave hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities grants and loans for construction and modernization. In return, they agreed to provide a reasonable volume of services to persons unable to pay and to make their services available to all persons residing in […]

  • Hill-Burton Facilities Compliance

    by on March 21, 2018 - 0 Comments

    Hill-Burton Facilities Compliance Frequently Asked Questions about Compliance and Recovery 42 CFR Part 124, Subpart are the regulations to the Hill-Burton Act. The “Provider’s Guide to the Hill-Burton Uncompensated Services Regulations” provides guidance to grantees on how to operate an uncompensated services program in compliance with the regulations. Some grantees have been approved to operate […]