10- 144 C.M.R. ch. 150, § 1.04

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 144-150-1.04 - NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FREE CARE

A.Posted Notice. Each hospital shall post notices of the availability of free care in locations within the hospital at which members of the public generally transact business with the hospital or present themselves to receive or request hospital services, including admitting areas, waiting rooms, business offices, and outpatient reception areas.

B.Individual Notice. With respect to inpatient services, each hospital shall provide individual written notice of the availability of free care to each patient upon admission or in the case of emergency admission, before discharge. With respect to outpatient services, each hospital shall either accompany the patient's bill with a copy of an individual notice of the availability of free care or shall provide a copy of the individual notice at the time service is provided.

C.Content of Notice

(1) The notice must contain the most current Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPL), which are obtainable from the Internet at: http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty or through the Department. Except as provided in 1.04 (C) (2) below, the posted and individual written notice must state the following:*

*Please note that the numbers provided as examples below are derived from the 2006 FPL, recalculated to one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the FPL, and are provided merely to illustrate proper notice form. Notice should state the FPL of the relevant year.

NOTICE

FREE MEDICAL CARE FOR THOSE UNABLE TO PAY

We must give free care to Maine people with income less than one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the FPL, which for 2006 is as follows:

Size of Family Unit	2006 FPL	150% FPL*
1	$9,800	$14,700
2	$13,200	$19,800
3	$16,600	$24,900
4	$20,000	$30,000
5	$23,400	$35,100
6	$26,800	$40,200
7	$30,200	$45,300
8	$33,600	$50,400

Add $3,400 for each additional person

You can apply for free care at

___________________________________

[specific location where individuals may apply].

You will be asked if you have insurance of any kind to help pay for your care. You may also be asked to show that insurance or a government program will not pay for your care.

Only necessary medical care is given as free care.

If you do not qualify for free hospital care, you are allowed to ask for a fair hearing. We will tell you how to apply for a fair hearing.

(2) In those instances where a hospital has a Hill-Burton obligation and where the hospital's free care policy for fulfillment of that obligation is not more restrictive than the guidelines set forth in this rule, a hospital may substitute its Hill-Burton notice for the notice specified in 1.04 (C) (1).

D.Supplementation of Notice. A hospital that elects to provide free care that would not be required under this Chapter shall supplement the notice set forth in (C) above with information about the availability of additional free care.

E.Communication of Contents. The hospital shall make reasonable efforts to communicate the contents of the written notice to persons it has reason to believe cannot read the notice.

10- 144 C.M.R. ch. 150, § 1.04