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Accessing
Hospital Care
Under
Maine law, no one can be denied access to hospital
care or emergency services because of their insurance
status or income level.
Last updated on April 2008.
Free
Care
All
Maine hospitals are required to offer free care to
those with limited incomes. The guidelines are somewhat
different than for federal programs, but follow the
same concept - that those who are unable to pay for
care should still be able to receive it. These services
are required by law, and hospitals make allowance
for these charges in their annual budgets. Any hospital
you visit has complete information about the program
it offers.
2008
Free Care Guidelines
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State rules require
that hospitals provide free care for anyone
below a certain income level (see income chart
on the left), although many hospitals offer
free care to people at higher income levels.
If
income is higher.
Many hospitals
provide free care at higher
income levels. Free
Care policies should be posted in reception
areas and are available on request. More
free care for higher income levels.
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Family
Size |
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Monthly
Income |
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1
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$1,300
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2
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$1,750
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3
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$2,200
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4
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$2,650
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5
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$3,100
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6
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$3,550
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7
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$4,000
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8
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$4,450
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Denied
Free Care?
You
have the right to appeal the decisions if you are
denied free care. You have to file within 60 days
of the denial, and should write to the Administrative
Hearing Unit, DHHS, 11 State House Station, Augusta,
ME 04333; or call 287-3610.
In
addition to "free" care, some hospitals
also provide care to those at higher income levels
on a "reduced-cost"
system, where the higher your income,
the larger part of the bill you're required to pay.
Emergency rooms at hospitals are generally open 24
hours a day and are required to treat anyone who arrives
at the hospital. Hospitals are not allowed to discuss
payment for emergency services until after you've
been treated.
Emergency rooms are intended for serious accidents
and unexpected illnesses. They are not the best source
for routine medical help. If you seek services there,
you may be financially responsible if you are not
covered by private or government health insurance.
MaineCare patients cannot be charged personally for
emergency treatment, but are expected to use such
care only when it's appropriate. Medical conditions
that are not serious or life-threatening are usually
better treated elsewhere, such as the doctor's office
or health care center.
Those who have private insurance should be aware that
some policies require prior approval for hospitalization
or, if it's an emergency, within a certain time after
admission. If you do not have full insurance and have
a bill that's difficult to pay, you should ask the
hospital billing office to help you set up a payment
plan.
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2008
Guidelines
for Hospital FREE Care:
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Monthly
income at or below...
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$1,300/mo
for an individual
($1,750/mo for a family of two; add $450/mo
for each additional family member)
ALL Maine
Hospitals
For
the programs listed below,
assets may also be looked at.
$1,517/mo for an individual
($2,042/mo for a family of two; add $525/mo
for each additional family member)
Maine
General Medical Center
Maine Medical Center
Spring Harbor
St. Andrews
Stephens Memorial
$1,647/mo for an individual
($2,217/mo for a family of two; add $570/mo
for each additional family member)
Cary Medical Center
$1,734/mo for an individual
($2,334/mo for a family of two; add $600/mo
for each additional family member)
Acadia
Aroostook Medical Center
Blue Hill Memorial
Bridgton
Central Maine Medical Family
Charles A. Dean Memorial
Down East Community
Eastern Maine Medical Center
Goodall
Inland
Mid Coast
Northern Maine Medical Center
Parkview Adventist Medical Center
Penobscot Bay Medical Center
Penobscot Vally
Rumford Community
Sebasticook Valley
Southern Maine Medical Center
St. Joseph
St. Mary's Regional Medical Center
Waldo County General
$2,167/mo for an individual
($2,917/mo for a family of two; add $750/mo
for each additional family member)
York
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2008
Guidelines
for Hospital REDUCED-COST Care:
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Monthly
income at or below...
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$1,300/mo
for an individual
($1,750/mo for a family of two; add $450/mo
for each additional family member)
If
your household income is below this amount,
don't forget to check Hospital
FREE CARE!
For the programs listed below,
assets may also be looked at.
$1,734/mo for an individual
($2,334/mo for a family of two; add $600/mo
for each additional family member)
Franklin Memorial
Houlton Regional
Maine Coast Memorial
Mercy
$1,820/mo for an individual
($2,450/mo for a family of two; add $630/mo
for each additional family member)
Cary Medical Center
$1,872/mo for an individual
($2,521/mo for a family of two; add $648/mo
for each additional family member)
Mayo
Regional
$1,951/mo for an individual
($2,625/mo for a family of two; add $675/mo
for each additional family member)
Calais Regional
Redington-Farview General
Maine General Medical Center
Maine Medical Center
Miles Memorial
Sprin Harbor
St. Andrews
Stephens Memorial
$2,167/mo for an individual
($2,917/mo for a family of two; add $750/mo
for each additional family member)
Mount Desert Island
Goodall
Penobscot Bay Medical Center
Penobscot Valley
St. Mary's Regional Medical Center
Waldo County General
$2,384/mo for an individual
($3,209/mo for a family of two; add $825/mo
for each additional family member)
Parkview Adventist
Medical Center
$2,600/mo for an individual
($3,500/mo for a family of two; add $900/mo
for each additional family member)
Acadia
Blue Hill Memorial
Bridgton
Central Maine Medical Family
Charles A. Dean Memorial
Eastern Maine Medical Center
Mid Coast
Rumford Community
St Joseph
$3,468/mo for an individual
($4,668/mo for a family of two; add $1,200/
mo for each additional family member)
Millinocket
Regional
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