Free Hospital Care

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CONTENTS

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• Can I get free care at the hospital?
• How do I get free care?
• How poor do I have to be to get free care?
• What if my income is higher than the guidelines?
• Can the hospital make me apply for other programs?
• Does free care cover everything? What if I think I should get free care but the hospital says no?
  
• Can I appeal the hospital's decision if they deny me free care?

Can I Get Free Care at the Hospital?

Yes. All hospitals in Maine must give free care to poor people.

How Do I Get Free Care?

Just tell the hospital that you want to apply for charity care. You then fill out an application form.

 

Important: You can apply even for old bills or even after you are sued.

How Poor Do I Have to Be to Get Free Care?

The hospital will want to ask you about your income. The hospital will count the income of people you live with only if you are related to the people. (A boyfriend's income does not count.)

This chart shows the minimum income ceiling that hospitals can use.

Poverty Guidelines

What if my Income is Higher Than the Amounts Listed Above?

You still may be able to get help. Many hospitals have higher income limits than the ones above. Some also have sliding fee scales where you pay part of the cost. Ask the hospital.

Also, if your income is lower now than it was over the past 12 months, ask the hospital to use only the last three months of your income. The hospital must then use the past three months and multiply by four. If your income is less than the above amounts you get free care.

Can the Hospital Make Me Apply for Other Programs?

Yes. The hospital can make you apply for Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance which you may be able to get.

Does Free Care Cover Everything?

Free care or charity care covers all the services which the hospital gives you.

It does not cover things like the doctor's bills, drug store bills, the radiologist's report.

What if I think I Should Get Free Care But The Hospital Says No?

Call Pine Tree Legal. We can help figure out if the hospital was wrong.

Can I Appeal the Hospital's Decision if They Deny Me Free Care?

Call or write to:

Division of Administrative Hearings
Department of Health and Human Services
11 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0011

Tel.: (207)287-1893

Fax: (207) 287-8448

Important: You need to send them a copy of your denial notice.

The deadline for appealing is 60 days from the date the hospital denied you.  You can also appeal if the hospital will not give you a decision within a reasonable amount of time.

Full text of State Regulations

Updated January 2009; partially revised February 2012
PTLA # 599