At Montefiore we are committed to assist people who lack health insurance to obtain necessary medical care. We understand that some health care bills may seem overwhelming or daunting, and that patients in need of specific treatments or procedures might feel hesitant in seeking them due to potential hefty costs. However, with the help of the staff at Montefiore's Patient Financial Services, our patients are discovering financial solutions, such as free or low-cost insurance and government programs specifically designed to lower health care costs.
If you do not have insurance, our counselors will assist you with determining your eligibility for free or low-cost insurance, as well as government assistance, including:
- Medicaid: This program is designed for New Yorkers who cannot afford to pay for medical care funded by the state and federal government. Medicaid may cover you if you have high medical bills, you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or if you meet certain income, resource, age or disability requirements. If eligible, Medicaid will cover expenses such as: hospital care, doctor bills, nursing home coverage, home care and prescriptions.
- Child Health Plus: Depending on your family's income, your child may be eligible for Children's Medicaid or Child health Plus. Both are available through dozens of providers throughout New York State. Families with somewhat higher income pay a monthly premium.
- NYS Market Place (Affordable Care Act): You may be eligible for a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) which you can apply for during the yearly enrollment period. If eligible you may qualify for a tax credit which can be applied towards your premium.
Insurance options changed after the Affordable Health Care Act passed. There will now be a plan available for those who have a pre-existing condition (Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan -PCIP). HealthCare.gov provides you with insurance options, eligibility information, common questions and healthcare management tips.
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as the Affordable Care Act, every state is required to have its own Health Insurance Exchange for health coverage. Click here, for more information.
Qualifications for these programs are constantly changing. Even if you did not previously qualify for a specific plan, your status may have changed.
If you have health benefits that do not adequately cover your medical expenses, we can work with you to arrange a manageable payment plan. Additionally, if you do not qualify for free or low-cost insurance, we will help you obtain a reduced fee based on your income and family size for emergency services rendered or medically necessary procedures through Montefiore's Financial Aid program.
When visiting the Montefiore Financial Aid office, please bring your latest proof of income (i.e. last 4 weeks pay stubs or letter from your employer). If you have any questions, please contact a counselor at financialaid@montefiore.org. Montefiore's Medicaid/Financial Aid representatives can lead you through the entire process and are available at all hospital locations.
A Guide to Help Patients avoid Surprises in their Medical Bills.
We have prepared a guide for patients to assist in avoiding surprises in their medical bills. This guide is available in both Englishand Spanish.
Family Planning Benefit Assistance
Family Planning Benefit Program is a program for New Yorkers who need family planning services, but may not be able to afford them. It is intended to increase access to family planning services and to enable individuals of childbearing age to prevent or reduce the incidence of unintentional pregnancies.
At all our locations, we provide assistance with the Family Planning Benefit application. This program is available to male and female citizens in the 10-64 age group. Services include:
- Most FDA approved birth control methods, devices, and supplies (e.g., birth control pills, injectables, or patches, condoms, diaphragms, IUDs)
- Emergency contraception services and follow-up care (Plan B is covered)
Male and female sterilization - Preconception counseling and preventive screening and family planning options before pregnancy
The following additional services are considered family planning only when provided within the context of a family planning visit and when the service provided is directly related to family planning:
- Pregnancy testing and counseling
- Comprehensive health history and physical examination, including breast exam and referrals to primary care providers as indicated (Mammograms are not covered).
- Screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STI's)
- Screening for cervical cancer and urinary tract or female-related infections
- Screening and related diagnostic laboratory testing for medical conditions that affect the choice of birth control, e.g. a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, blood clots, etc.
- HIV counseling and testing
- Counseling services related to pregnancy, informed consent, and STD/HIV risk counseling
- Bone density scan (only for women who plan to use or are currently using Depo-Provera)
- Ultrasound (to assess placement of an intrauterine device)
If you are eligible for FPBP, you will receive a Benefit Identification Card, which must be used when you need the medical services indicated above.
Our Locations
Montefiore Hospital 111 East 210th Street Bronx, NY 10467 Patient Financial Services 718-920-5658 Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5pm Weiler Hospital Admitting Office 1825 Eastchester Road Bronx, NY 10461 Medicaid: 718-904-3551 Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5pm Wakefield Hospital Main Floor 600 East 233rd Street Bronx, NY 10466 718-920-9660 Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5pm Montefiore Westchester Square Medical Office Building 2475 St. Raymonds Avenue Bronx, NY 10461 718-430-7339 Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5pm | Montefiore Medical Group Castle Hill Family Practice 2175 Westchester Ave 718-829-6770 Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5pm Comprehensive Healthcare Center (CHCC) 305 East 161st Street, Bronx, NY 10451 718-579-2500 x125 Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5pm Comprehensive Family Care Center (CFCC) 1621 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY 10461, Main Floor 718-405-8040 x2480 Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5pm | Bronx Health Collective 871 Prospect Ave. 718-991-0605 or 890 Prospect Ave 718-991-0605 Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5pm University Ave Family Practice 105 West 188th Street 718-563-0757 Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5pm West Farms Family Practice 1055 E Tremont Ave 718-842-8040 Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5pm Williamsbridge Family Practice 3011 Boston Road 718-547-6111 Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5pm |
Please check the list of documents required to apply for Medicaid. If you have any questions, please contact 718-920-5658. Click here to download checklist (PDF).
If you would like additional information on Medicaid or other government programs such as SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps), WIC, HEAP, School meals, etc. please visit:
For more information on changes or laws please visit: the governor of New York's website.
If you are not eligible for Medicaid and have a hospital bill, please see our financial aid page.
If you are currently enrolled in a Medicaid or Child Health Plus Plan please do not forget to recertify. Download a flyer with more details: English | Spanish.
FAQs
What Are Patient Financial Services? As the name suggests, patient financial services represent support for a patient's financial journey from admission to treatment, discharge, and final payment of medical bills. These services include: Preauthorization. Medical coding and billing.
How to inform a patient of financial obligations for services rendered? ›
While scheduling care: Remind patients to bring insurance cards, gently explain whether a copayment is required, and ask about patients' preferred payment method. During care: Display information and offer the patient a hard copy to help ensure they understand their financial responsibility before leaving the office.
What is the patient's financial responsibility? ›
Patient Financial Responsibility (PFR) refers to the amount of money that patients are responsible for paying out of their own pockets for healthcare services received. This includes deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance amounts that are not covered by insurance.
Should the patient receive written information about the providers supportive financial assistance programs? ›
During the registration or discharge process, the patient will receive in writing, information regarding the provider's supportive financial assistance programs, and a summary of the potential financial implications for the services rendered, including a phone number to call with questions.
What does someone in financial services do? ›
Financial Services Professionals buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.
How do you help a patient with financial problems? ›
9 ways to help patients when they can't afford care
- Have the money conversation.
- Get creative with your scheduling.
- Offer a payment plan.
- Create a sliding fee scale.
- Accept what they can offer.
- See them pro bono.
- Refer them or help them find assistance.
- Barter.
Why is it important to explain patient financial obligations for services rendered? ›
It establishes clarity and transparency regarding the financial obligations of patients, protects healthcare providers legally, and enables patients to plan and budget for their healthcare expenses effectively.
What should a practice's financial policy tell patients? ›
List what resources are available if a patient needs financial assistance or alternative payment options. Provide a contact (staff name, phone, and email) so the patient knows where to direct any payment questions. Clearly state your practice's penalties for no-shows, cancellations, missed payments, and any other fees.
What do the patients obligations include? ›
Patient Responsibilities
Patients are responsible for providing correct and complete information about their health and past medical history. Patients are responsible for reporting changes in their general health condition, symptoms, or allergies to the responsible caregiver.
Who is ultimately responsible for a patient's medical expenses? ›
Patient responsibility is the portion of a medical bill that the patient is required to pay rather than their insurance provider. For example, patients with no health insurance are responsible for 100% of their medical bills.
Healthcare Financial Reports
The balance sheet lists the healthcare organization's assets, liabilities and shareholder equity. This report illustrates the organization's liquidity, operating efficiency and potential return on investment.
How do finances affect patient care? ›
Investigators examined the relationship between financial performance and the safety and quality of care at 108 hospitals in New York State. They found that stronger financial performance was correlated with improved patient experience, lower readmission rates, and higher performance on measures of safety and quality.
What form is used to gather financial information from a patient? ›
Final answer: The Financial agreement form in a patient record is used to gather financial information from a patient. It includes insurance details and payment responsibilities, and creates a financial arrangement between the patient and the healthcare provider.
What information should be provided to the patient? ›
Information made available to patients shall include diagnosis, testing, treatment to be used, the risk of treatment, side effects of medication and the cost medical care. Receive urgent, immediate and sufficient interventions and care in the event of emergency.
Who is responsible for protecting patient health and financial information? ›
All health care providers considered “Covered Entities” under HIPAA (most are) are responsible for complying with the two related rules of HIPAA: Privacy36 and Security37 . The HIPAA Security Rule sets out specific protections that all covered providers must follow to protect health information.
What is patient financing? ›
As the term suggests, patient financing companies provide financing options for people who need medical services but can't afford to pay upfront, out-of-pocket. These companies often relax creditworthiness requirements, and they can help secure patient financing for procedures not covered by an insurance company.
What does a patient financial services director do? ›
The Director is responsible for monitoring changes in the healthcare industry impacting the billing and collection efforts of the Health System.
What is PFS in a hospital? ›
The patient financial services (PFS) department plays a crucial role in the financial health of a provider organization. Complete, accurate data are a competitive advantage.
What is a patient financial specialist job description? ›
The Patient Financial Services Specialist II is responsible for preparing patient accounts to generate and issue patient bills for services. This position interviews patients, evaluates patient financial resources, establishes payment terms, performs collections and performs other related work as assigned.