Help in New Jersey with paying hospital bills.
Somerset Medical Center
A prescription medication assistance program is offered by Somerset Medical Center to low income patients. This assistance program helps people with paying for hospital bills and any need medications. In particular the program focuses on uninsured patients and the under served, and it can provide them with low priced, or free, prescription drugs.
The program is administered by the medical center's Somerset Family Practice and Community Health Departments. The primary goal is to both improve the health and economic outcomes of families who need help with paying for treatments and medical costs. As part of this free program that is offered to patients, a registered nurse will meet one-on-one with individual in order to help them manage chronic illnesses, obtain medications, and the nurse will also answer any health-related questions. 908-685-2200.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
This hospital offers patients a couple different options. They follow the state of New Jersey charity care program, and also have some guidelines in place for emergency room fees and costs.
The New Jersey policy basically states that acute-care hospitals are compensated by the state of New Jersey for any free medical services they provide. While the hospital will need to submit claims to the state, and the patient also needs to process paperwork, there are some options available. The New Jersey state budget sets guidelines for this assistance program.
Emergency department programs and reduced fees may be available. Patients of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital are not asked how they will pay their bills before receiving emergency medical care.
In general, most patients who go to the emergency department for any type of care will receive two or more bills that will factor in all of the treatment received by the patient. The first bill will usually be to pay for the personal care the doctor gave you and includes any services provided. For example, the bill may be to pay for the cast for a broken leg, stitches for a bad cut, and similar needs.
The second cost the patient needs to pay will be directly from the Emergency Department, and this can be for expenses such as tests the individual may have had, such as x-rays or blood work. Other expenses may include radiologist expenses, costs from specialists who read your x-ray, etc. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital will take care of people in an emergency, regardless of their ability to pay. If someone is low income or uninsured, then they can meet with a counselor to explore any type of charity care or financial assistance. Call 1-888-MD-RWJUH
AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center
While they may offer payment arrangement, patients will be responsible for paying the hospital bills and in general meeting financial obligations resulting from your stay. The center fully understands that health insurance and medical billing can be difficult to understand and in general is complicated, so they will do what they can to work with customers to help them understand their obligation.
For patients who are struggling and who need help with paying bills or other medical finances, you want to call the hospital’s Patient Accounting Department at 609-272-2500 as soon as possible. Counselors and representatives can provide counseling, answer questions on any hospital financial assistance programs, and generally work with patients to ensure they are receiving the care they need.
Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Meridian Health
For those patients who are uninsured, or whose insurance doesn't pay for all of their bills, then the hospital and financial counselors will explore and help you apply for federal government and state of New Jersey resources. While the application process and eligibility requirements may vary, counselors and specialists will meet with you to review various plans.
- Medicaid – If you meet income and asset tests, this federal government program may be your best option. Specialists can help you with the application process and will work with you and New Jersey Department of Health.
- PreSumptive Medicaid Eligibility – While someone is waiting for medical assistance from the government, this program provides low income families with temporary coverage. They will need to meet some basic eligibility criteria. What this will do is allow a customer’s medical bills to be paid while the more formal and time intensive application process for Medicaid or Family Care is being processed. This short term program can provide up to 45 days of health care coverage from the initial date of the application.
- SSI – Medicaid – Similar to above, but it can also provide a monthly stipend that can help pay for other basic needs such as clothing, housing, or food. So families can get both their hospital bills paid and also receive some additional services.
- Charity care is offered by the state. Jersey Shore and partner centers provide assistance with hospital bills and reduced charges. Costs that can be paid for include outpatient prescriptions, lab work, radiology interpretation and more.
- Family Care is a statewide program for children. A team from Meridian will help with completing the application. Your local Social Services Department will need to review it and make a determination on eligibility, and you will hear back directly from the state.
To learn more on these resources, call Meridian Health or Jersey Shore University Medical Center at 1-800-560-9990.
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