Baie-Comeau >Health and Beauty

Paying for Baie-Comeau medical bills is tough, thankfully there are several agencies you may want to contact to find out what assistance may be available to help you pay your medical bills:

• Start by contacting your state human service agency. Social services offer direct assistance to individuals in distress and referrals to other local organizations.
• You may also contact the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS can provide information about government-run healthcare programs and referrals to state agencies that administer these programs.
• You may also wish to contact your state Medicaid office to see if you qualify for assistance.
• If you are a veteran, you may also want to contact the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA offers many programs designed to assist veterans.
• If you are a senior citizen, you may also want to contact an Eldercare Locator information specialist available through the Administration on Aging (AOA). Their free service that can put you in contact with resources and programs designed to assist seniors in your area. 

Charity care is care for which a hospital does not charge because it has been determined that the patient cannot afford to pay. Hospitals usually limit these programs to people not eligible for government medical assistance programs, those unable to pay their medical bills, or those with limited financial resources. You may wish to check with the patient services department at your hospital to find out about your eligibility. If you do not qualify for charity care, the hospital may offer a payment plan so that you will be able to pay off your bill over a period of time.

Please note: Under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), hospitals receiving Medicare funds must screen anyone who comes to the emergency room and requests treatment. If the screening confirms that you have an emergency medical condition, including active labor, they are then required to provide stabilizing treatment for you regardless of your ability to pay.