24/7 Emergency Room (601) 437-5141info@ccmcms.org
Call 911
For Emergencies
Outreach Clinics
On-Site Specialists
Family Healthcare

Financial Services

Claiborne County Medical Center
Home > Patients and Visitors > Financial Services

Financial Services

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (FAP)

As part of our mission, Claiborne County Medical Center (CCMC) will provide financial assistance, based on need, to patients who lack the ability to pay for emergency and other non-elective medically necessary care provided by the hospital and physician services associated with the hospital service, without regard to age, color, creed, ethnic background, sex, national origin, physical disability, race, or religion.

Regardless of an individual's ability to qualify under this Financial Assistance Policy, CCMC will provide, without discrimination, care for any emergency medical condition as designated under the U.S. federal government Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) of 1986.

The Financial Assistance Program (FAP) is intended for patients whose Annual Family Income does not exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPG) published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and in effect at the date of service for awards of FAP under this policy.

In addition, financial assistance may be available on a sliding scale discount from normal charges for uninsured patients or patients with self-pay balances after insurance that have an Annual Family Income up to 250% of the FPG.

The hospital will limit the amount charged for any emergency or other medically necessary care it provides to a

FAP eligible individual to not more than the amounts generally billed (AGB) to individuals with insurance. See definitions on page two (2).

The eligibility criteria for financial assistance and the procedures for receiving financial assistance set out in this Policy are intended to ensure that CCMC will have the financial resources necessary to meet its commitment to providing care to patients who are in the greatest financial need. 

This program does not include coverage for independent provider groups not employed by the hospital, such as Cardiologists, Emergency Department Physician fees, Nuclear testing, Wound Care, and other Physician and Advanced Practice Nurse providers that may be involved in your care. See the FAP policy summary.

Collection Efforts:

CCMC will not engage in extraordinary collection actions before making reasonable efforts to determine whether an individual who has an unpaid balance is eligible for financial assistance under this Policy. As used in this policy, "extraordinary collection actions" include but are not limited to; placing a lien on an individual's property, foreclosing on an individual's real property, attaching or seizing bank account or other personal property, commencing a civil action against an individual, causing an individual's arrest, and garnishing an individual's wages.

Commmunication:

CCMC is committed to publicizing this Policy widely within the communities in which it serves. Notices will include the Hospital web address, contact numbers, and location addresses.

                         123 McComb Avenue, Port Gibson, MS 39150

Phone: (601) 437-5141

The following steps are to ensure that members of the communities served are aware of the Policy and have access to the Policy:

 

  1. A plain English summary of the Policy will be displayed at the CCMC registration and emergency department registration areas

  2. FAP copy will be offered during the hospital or emergency department registration process Information about FAP and who to contact will be listed on the patient's hospital statements

  3. Policy and application will be available at hospital and emergency department registration areas

  4. Financial Counselors are available during normal business hours, which includes availability to provide counseling to individuals currently admitted to CCMC.

  5. A plain English summary of the policy is available for distribution to community advocates in the CCMC.

 

Definitions:

 

I     Amount Generally Billed (AGB) =The charge amount generally billed for any patient with similar condition, treatment, service, and/or diagnosis, regardless to having insurance coverage or not. AGB is based on the look back method that considers discounts allowed by Medicare fee-for service and commercial insurances that pay claims to CCMC.

 

Emergency medical condition= As defined in Section 1867 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395dd)

 

Gross Charge = An established price, listed in the hospital charge-master, for a service or item that is charged consistently and uniformly to all patients before applying any contractual allowances, discounts, or deductions.

 

Family=  Using the Census Bureau definition, a family is defined as a group of two or more people who reside together and who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption. According to Internal Revenue Service rules, if the patient claims someone as a dependent on their income tax return they may be considered a dependent on the FAP application. This includes individuals up to 24 years old and enrolled in school or college.

 

FAP = Financial Assistance Program as defined in this policy.

 

Family income = Calculated based on the income earned in the preceding 12-month period. Although proof of income for the preceding 12-month period is preferred, family income may be based on the current income, especially if there has been a significant change in the family's income.

 

FPG =Federal Poverty Income Guidelines that are published from time to time by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and in effect at the date of service for awards of financial assistance under this Policy.

 

Income = Income includes salary and wages, interest income, dividend income, social security, workers compensation, disability payments, unemployment income, business income (IRS Schedule C), pensions & annuities, farm income (IRS Schedule F), rentals & royalties, inheritance, strike benefits, and alimony income.

•            Income is also defined as payments received from the state for legal guardianship or custody.

 

Social Services = Individuals who help consumers complete health coverage applications on the federally-facilitated Marketplace ( healthcare.gov ) or state-based insurance affordability program applications (such as Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program ("CHIP"),

 

Medically necessary= Non-elective services for life threatening conditions outside the emergency room. (Other medically necessary services on a case-by-case basis)

 

Non-Elective Services= condition or injury that places the health of the individual in serious jeopardy, cause serious impairment to bodily functions, or serious dysfunction to a bodily organ.

 

Plain Language summary= A statement written in clear, concise, and easy to understand language notifying individuals that CCMC offers financial assistance under a FAP

 

Prompt Pay Discount = A discount that is available to self-pay balances on hospital services if paid within 30 days of the first hospital statement.

 

Self-Pay or Uninsured= A patient who does not have third party coverage from a health insurance plan, Medicare, or state funded Medicaid, or whose injury is not a compensated injury for purposes of workers' compensation, automobile insurance, or other insurance as determined and documented by the hospital.

 

Insured Patient=  A patient who has third party coverage or whose injury is a compensated injury for purposes of workers' compensation, automobile insurance, or other insurance as determined and documented by the hospital.

 

Standards of Practice:

 

Information about the Financial Assistance Program (FAP) will be posted in a plain language summary at main entrance points to the hospital. Main entrance points include Hospital and Emergency Department registration areas.

 

FAP posting will include instructions on how and where to obtain a printed version of the plain language summary and the FAP application.

 

The FAP summary and application is available through:

 

  • Customer Service office located in the hospital at 47 South 4th Street, Rolling Fork, MS 39159;

  • Customer Service office located in the Business Office Center at 44 North 4th Street, Rolling Fork, MS 39159

  • Calling Customer Service at (662) 873-4695 for printed copy to be mailed at no expense

  • Requesting by mail by writing to:
    Claiborne County Medical Center
    123 McComb Avenue
    Port Gibson, MS 39150 

Patients with balances after insurance (e.g. deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance amounts) are eligible for FAP if the eligibility requirements are met.

Patients who have exhausted policy limits are eligible for FAP if the eligibility requirements are met. (The remaining account balances after the policy limits are exhausted are considered uninsured and are eligible for the FAP) 

Medicare patients are eligible for FAP if the eligibility requirements are met.

Patient shall cooperate in supplying all third-party insurance information and third-party liability information.

The patient must exhaust insurance/third-party liability coverage prior to patient receiving financial assistance through FAP. 

If the account is with a collection agency, the patient can still apply for FAP.

Services Eligible for FAP

 

1.  Any hospital service that is an emergency or a service that is medically necessary 

2.  Any CCMC physician services provided in relationship to the approved hospital service(s).

 

Eligibility Requirements for FAP

1.  Patient is a permanent resident within the CCMC primary service area, which include Claiborne County in Mississippi.

2.   Patient's family income is at or below 150% of the existing Federal Poverty Guideline at the date of service or date of the FAP application.

3.  Requested services are eligible for the FAP as noted above. The financial counselor may inquire with the attending physician regarding the medical necessity of services before awarding financial assistance.

4.   Patient provides proof of ineligibility for Medicaid or other State programs.

5.   Individuals with the financial capacity to purchase health insurance through the Healthcare Marketplace (Affordable Care Act) shall be required to meet apply as a means of assuring access to healthcare services, for their overall personal health, and for the protection of their individual assets.

6.  Patient must be eligible on the date of service or date of application. 

7.  Patient does not have to be a U.S. Citizen.

 

Reason for not being Eligible for FAP 

1.  Family income exceeds 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. However, the patient may be eligible for a prompt pay discount.

2.  If a patient is eligible for Medicaid or other State programs and the patient fails to cooperate in the application, re-application, appeal process, or the patient does not pay the required monthly premium, thereby making the patient ineligible for the program.

3.  If the patient is eligible and enrolled in a Healthcare Marketplace plan and does not pay the required monthly premium, thereby causing the health plan to revoke coverage.

4.  Patient who resides outside of the CCMC service area is not eligible for FAP except when the patient requires urgent or emergent services while visiting in the CCMC service area.

5.  Patient is in the custody of a unit of Government, which is responsible for coverage of the medical needs of the patient.

6.  Patient is eligible for healthcare coverage through their employer

7.  Services are not medically necessary or excluded from the program.

 

  Excluded services include:

 

•  Cosmetic surgery

•   Infertility treatments, fertility services, birth control, sterilization, reversal of sterilization;

•  Services denied by your insurance due to non-compliance with your insurance coverage requirements;

•  Services deemed not medically necessary;

•  Services reimbursed directly to you by your insurance company;

•  Services reimbursed by another third party

•  Services required for employment, schools, or athletics

 

Asset Test

A sliding fee scale will be used to determine the percentage of discount. The patient's liquid and non-liquid assets are considered in the final determination of financial assistance as possible sources of payment. An individual household is permitted to hold assets of an amount equal to 200% of the Mississippi Medicaid Maximum Household amount, published by the Mississippi Family & Social Services Administration. The family home, household goods like furniture or appliances, and personal items such as jewelry or clothes are excluded from the asset test.

 

Application Process

 

  • The patient's eligibility for FAP will be determined through an application process. The CCMC Financial Form is the valid application form for the application process.

  • One signature is required on the application (the patient, guarantor, or legal representative).

  • Approved FAP applications are valid for a period of 6 months for medically necessary services

  • All FAP applications and records will remain on file for a minimum of 7 years

  • FAP applications are considered up to 240 days after the first billing statement is submitted to the patient or when a change in patient financial status is determined.

  • Patient may apply for FAP in advance of receiving medically necessary care.

  • The FAP Committee will determine the awarding of financial assistance.

  • It is the patient's responsibility to request consideration on future services within the 6-month period that would not have been reviewed during the initial application process.

  • The patient may appeal the decision to denied financial assistance by writing to:
    Claiborne County Medical Center
    Attn: Director Patient Billing Services
    123 McComb Avenue
    Port Gibson, MS 39150

 

Proof of Income

Listed below are EXAMPLES of forms of acceptable documentation to establish current proof of income and/ or income at time of service. Documentation is required to determine financial assistance. CCMC will apply income verification uniformly to all applicants.

 

  • Pay stubs for the last 90 days

  • A letter or written statement from employer verifying gross wages for the last 90 days

  • W-2’s

  • Federal Income Tax Returns ( Form 1040 or 1040A)

  • If self-employed, a financial  statement of gross  income  less business expenses

  • Bank statements

  • If patients spouse is unemployed and not receiving any unemployment benefits.  a letter from the patient/spouse indicating how long they have  been unemployed will suffice  as proof of income.

  • As a last resort, the Hospital may accept a written statement from the patient as proof of eligibility.  

  • A witness  who can substantiate the patient's income  must also sign this written  statement.

  • Alimony payments made to a spouse  are an allowable deduction  from family income. Child support payments  are not an allowable  deduction from family income.

  • Social Security  or Retirement Benefits  should  be verified with the Social Security  office or by obtaining  a copy of the Social Security  Benefits  Determination letter from the patient.

  • CCMC may obtain credit report if additional verification is needed.

 

Patient Payments & Refunds

 

Patient payments received prior to and/or  subsequent to the decision  to award  financial assistance shall be refunded  or transferred to other outstanding accounts not applicable for financial assistance.

 

Regulatory Requirements

 

In implementing this Policy,  CCMC management and facilities  shall comply  with all other federal,  state, and local laws, rules, and regulations that may apply to activities  conducted  pursuant to this Policy.