How to Get Help from Pine Tree

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Annual Report

Free Hospital Care

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?

In Spanish

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?

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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.)

Annual Income Guidelines
(The guidelines go up each year)

Family Size	Total Income (before deductions)
1	$16,245
2	$21,855
3	$27,465
4	$33,075
5	$38,685
6	$44,295
7	$49,905
8	$55,515
For each additional person add	$5,610

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

You still may be able to get help. Some 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

Notice © Pine Tree Legal  Assistance January 2009 Sometimes the laws change. We cannot promise that this information is always up-to-date and correct.  If the date above is not this year, call us to see if there is an update. We provide this information as a public service.  It is not legal advice.  By sending you this information, we are not acting as your lawyer.  Always consult a lawyer, if you can, before taking legal action. Please review our full terms-of-use agreement

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