Medical bills are expensive, and they can pile up, fast. In June, 112,000 Hoosiers learned their medical debt would be erased because of nonprofits and an anonymous donor.
Many people are still struggling to pay their medical bills. Hospitals and clinics in Indianapolis have programs to help, and, as part of a series of stories, Mirror Indy will share what to know about applying for and receiving that help.
Different hospitals offer different options. First up is Eskenazi Health, where patients can take advantage of two programs: a sliding fee scale at primary care clinics and a financial assistance program for hospital billing.
Follow along as we write about more hospitals in Indy.
[Related: Hoosiers burdened by medical debt call for change]
This is part of a series of stories on how Indianapolis hospitals can help patients pay their medical bills. Here are guides to financial aid in the other Indianapolis hospital systems.
How to make an appointment with a financial counselor
There are four ways to set up a meeting with a financial counselor, who will help you figure out what program is right for you and how to apply. You can request information and make an appointment:
- In your MyChart account;
- Through your doctor’s referral;
- By walking into an Eskenazi health center and asking for an appointment;
- Or by calling 855-202-1053.
What to expect during the process
Your first appointment with a financial counselor will happen by phone, and it takes about 30 minutes. A financial counselor will ask questions about things like your income and how many people live in your home to see what assistance you qualify for and will guide you through the application process, said Victoria Evans, director of patient access services for Eskenazi Health Center
The standards to qualify for help include poverty level, household size and income. They are based on federal poverty guidelines and are reviewed each year.
Once you complete the screening call, financial counselors will help you fill out paperwork and submit documents for the programs you qualify for. You can do the application and paperwork through Docusign, or you can schedule an in-person appointment.
Marcus King, an operations manager for several of Eskenazi’s clinics, said your personal information is kept confidential to this process.
“We have no interest or requirements to share information outside of the scope that they are consenting to at that time,” Evans said.
What documents you may need to apply
- Photo ID
- Social Security number or document number for legal immigrants
- Employer and income information for every member of your household (information
from pay stubs or W-2 forms). - Policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of your household.
When you need help paying for your hospital bill
- The Eskenazi Health financial assistance program applies to hospital bills. For patients who are hospitalized and need help paying their bills, Evans said: “We have a team that meets with them to talk through their options, what they may qualify for and try to get that application and screening done as soon as possible to help offset those costs.”
- This is only for people who live in Marion County, are at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and who have exhausted other options, like Medicare of Indiana Coverage Programs.
- This program includes Pharmacy Care Connect, which provides discounts on medication for people who don’t qualify for state and federal assistance.
When you need help paying for primary care services
- If you need help paying for primary care services, you’ll use the sliding-scale fee program. “Sliding-scale” means that payment plans are offered based on your income level and household size; Eskenazi offers six plans. One of those plans provides free services for people who are homeless (except for the $15 dental service fee).
- This program is offered at health centers that meet federal requirements. Eskenazi has 13 of these locations.
Eskenazi Health primary care locations
- Eskenazi Health Center Barton Annex, 501 N. East St.
- Eskenazi Health Center Blackburn, 2700 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.
- Eskenazi Health Center College Avenue, 1650 N. College Ave., Suite B
- Eskenazi Health Center Grande, 6002 E. 38th St.
- Eskenazi Health Center Grassy Creek, 9443 E. 38th St.
- Eskenazi Health Center Herron-Riverside High School, 3010 N. White River Parkway E. Drive
- Eskenazi Health Center North Illinois Street, 1660 N. Illinois St.
- Eskenazi Health Center Northwest Middle School, 5525 W. 34th St.
- Eskenazi Health Center Pecar, 6940 Michigan Road
- Eskenazi Health Center Pedigo, 1112 Southeastern Ave.
- Eskenazi Health Center Primary Care, 2nd Floor, 720 Eskenazi Ave.
- Eskenazi Health Center West 38th Street, 5515 W. 38th St.
- Eskenazi Health Center Westside, 2732 W. Michigan St.
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