Community Care Discount Program
Do You Need Help with Your Medical Bill?
At Carle, we understand that individuals and families sometimes struggle to pay their bills. That’s why we offer a number of options to manage medical bills, including convenient payment plans, and discounts to those who apply and qualify for our Community Care Discount Program.
Services Included in the Program
Community Care applies to medically necessary services provided by:
The following services are not medically necessary and therefore are not eligible for Community Care discounts: bariatric surgery, cosmetic surgery, infertility services, cosmetic or prophylactic dental services (including implants, replacement teeth or bridges) and experimental services.
How We Can Help
When you’re ill, we want you to concentrate on getting well instead of worrying about your bill. Our financial services staff is available to assist you or to direct you to the most appropriate person to help with your needs. Their services include:
- Checking insurance coverage
- Identifying "holes" in that coverage
- Looking for alternative methods of coverage
- Assisting patients in filling out insurance forms
- Helping patients apply for public assistance
- Setting up payment plans
- Helping patients apply for Carle’s Community Care Discount Program
A Hospital Stay: Assessing Your Need
At some point during or after your Hospital stay, a member of the financial services team will speak with you about your financial status. This may be a representative from Patient Accounting, a case manager or a member of the admitting staff. It’s their job to help you evaluate your insurance coverage and help you understand your options, so please don’t hesitate to ask questions.
Let Us Know You Need Help
Please let the receptionist at check-in, your patient representative, case manager or your nurse know if you will need help with your bill.
We won’t necessarily know you need help unless you tell us that you do, and then you must apply for financial assistance.
Community Care Discount Program
Carle offers a Community Care Discount Program to provide discounted care to those who need it. Here are some general guidelines about the program:
- Eligibility is based on a review of your family’s income during the past 12 months. We will ask you to provide documentation about your income and will ask questions about your financial assets, including savings accounts and investments. This does not include assets protected by homestead exemption laws, such as your house; car or funds in official retirement accounts.
- We will approve discounted care only after all third-party insurance payments, worker’s compensation, public aid or other payments have been received. Discounts will be applied to the balance due after such payments are received.
- Before granting discounted care, we may ask you to apply for public assistance. Carle will be happy to help you fill out application forms or arrange transportation to the public aid office.
- In addition to new patients, the program is also open to those who received treatment previously but have had a change in their financial status and can no longer pay their medical bills.
- Community Care Discount Program benefits will extend for one year from the date of approval. In order to continue receiving a discount, a new application must be completed annually.
- Community Care Discount Program benefits will only be extended to individuals who live within the Carle service area.
Discount Table Effective 01/23/2009.*
Download the Community Care Application form in English, or en Español.
Community Care Discount Program
Discount Table Effective 01/23/2009.*
| If your family size is: | And, your family income is at or below:
|
| Percent of Federal Poverty Level | 200% | 230% | 270% | 300% | 400%
|
| 1 | $21,660 | $24,909 | $29,241 | $32,490 | $43,320 |
| 2 | 29,140
| 33,511 | 39,339 | 43,710
| 58,280 |
| 3 | 36,620
| 42,113
| 49,437
| 54,930
| 73,240
|
| 4 | 44,100 | 50,715
| 59,535
| 66,150
| 88,200
|
| 5 | 51,580
| 59,317
| 69,633
| 77,370
| 103,160
|
| 6 | 59,060
| 67,919
| 79,731
| 88,590
| 118,120
|
| 7 | 66,540
| 76,521
| 89,829 | 99,810
| 133,080
|
| 8 | 74,020
| 85,123
| 99,927
| 111,030
| 148,040
|
| Each additional member add: | 7,480
| 8,602
| 10,098
| 11,220
| 14,960
|
| | Your receive a discount off Carle bills of: |
| | 100% | 75% | 50%
| 25%
| |
And, your Carle Foundation out-of-pocket medical expenses are limited to 40% of your annual gross income, ONLY if you are uninsured or underinsured and earn at or below the 400% poverty level.
|
Regardless of income level, all uninsured patient who pay their bill within 30 days will receive a 25% discount.
Submit an Application
Community Care Discount Program applications are available at registration points at all of our clinics and the hospital. The application can also be downloaded as a PDF in English and en Español. Another application form, specifically for uninsured hospital patients, is available for download or by calling Patient Accounts.
Once completed, you can mail your application to Carle Patient Accounts , 2902 Farber Drive, Champaign, IL 61822 or fax to (217) 326-2986.
We consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account your special circumstances and needs. If you are not accepted into the Community Care Discount Program, staff will assist you with the appeal process. The first step is to contact Patient Accounts by calling (888) 71-CARLE (712-2753). Appeals may be reviewed by the Manager of Patient Accounts, the Director of Financial Services or Chief Financial Officer.
Additional Discount Options
Regardless of income level, all uninsured patients who pay their bill within 30 days will receive a 25% discount. Contact Patient Accounts for assistance.
Uninsured hospital patients who meet certain income, asset and residency requirements may qualify for an uninsured discount of 57%, and your annual Carle hospital expenses may be limited to 25% of your gross income (download the uninsured discount application).
If You Have Other Questions
It's It’s our goal to help you understand your financial assistance options and to help whenever possible. Information and applications are available online. If you have questions, please call a patient service representative at Carle Patient Accounts.
Here’s our contact information:
Carle Patient Accounts
611 W Park, Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (888) 71-CARLE (712-2753)
Fax: (217) 326-2986.