Financial Assistance

Overview

Columbus Regional Health promises to provide you the best care possible regardless of your ability to pay. We offer a financial assistance program to qualifying patients that either reduces or fully covers the out-of-pocket cost of medically necessary services. See the full Financial Assistance Policy for a detailed list of excluded services, the process for applying, and other information. You must submit a signed application form and provide the requested documentation in order for your application to be considered. Instructions can be found on the Financial Assistance Application Form and in the Financial Assistance Policy.

Information concerning the Financial Assistance Policy at Columbus Regional Hospital can be found on the back of each patient statement, on this web site, in the Billing and Financial Assistance Guide found in multiple patient waiting areas around the hospital, by calling Patient Financial Services customer service representatives as 812-376-5315 or 1-800-841-4954 (Hours 8:00am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday). This policy is available in both English and Spanish.

Do I Qualify?

Qualification for assistance is based on gross household income and the number of dependents claimed on tax filing for that household, whether filing jointly or individually. (1.501(r)(b)(1)(iii)(A)). Income is compared to the Columbus Regional Health guidelines, which are derived by using the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Income can be up to 350% over the Federal Poverty Guidelines and qualify for assistance. Columbus Regional Health Financial Assistance Policy is in compliance with Federal Regulations 1.501(r). Patients whose gross family income does not exceed 350% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible for certain levels of financial assistance.

% Above Poverty Guidelines 200% 300% 350%
% of Write Off 100% 80% 61%
Family Size      
1 $15,060.00 to $30,120.00 $30,121.00 to $45,180.00 $45,181.00 to $52,710.00
2 $20,440.00 to $40,880.00 $40,881.00 to $61,320.00 $61,321.00 to $71,540.00
3 $25,820.00 to $51,640.00 $51,641.00 to $77,460.00 $77,461.00 to $90,370.00
4 $31,200.00 to $62,400.00 $62,401.00 to $93,600.00 $93,601.00 to $109,200.00
5 $36,580.00 to $73,160.00 $73,161.00 to $109,740.00 $109.741.00 to $128,030.00
6 $41,960.00 to $83,920.00 $83,921.00 to $125,880.00 $125,881.00 to $146,860.00
7 $47,340.00 to $94,680.00 $94,681.00 to $142,020.00 $142,021.00 to $165,690.00
8 $52,720.00 to $105,440.00 $105,441.00 to $158,160.00 $158,161.00 to $184,520.00

 

2024 poverty Guidelines from the Federal Register

Family Size
1 $15,060.00
2 $20,440.00
3 $25,820.00
4 $31,200.00
5 $36,580.00
6 $41,960.00
7 $47,340.00
8 $52,720.00

* For each additional person, add $5,380.00

Providers Excluded from Financial Assistance Policy

Care provided by any of the providers or provider groups listed below will not be covered under this Financial Assistance Policy. The patient may contact the provider directly to see if they offer discounts or other financial assistance. This list may not be all inclusive.

  • Emergency Physicians Inc of Columbus

  • Columbus Radiology Physicians

  • South Central Indiana Pathology

  • Southeastern Indiana Anesthesia Associates

  • Southern Indiana Orthopedics

  • Southern Indiana Surgery

  • Southern Indiana Ear Nose and Throat

  • Northside Pediatrics

  • Indiana University Healthcare Associates

  • Dr. Douglas Wilson- Ophthalmology

  • Southern Indiana Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery

  • Columbus Oral and Maxillofacial

  • Benjamin Podiatry

  • Columbus Foot and Ankle

  • Dr. Alice Hartman Gynecology

  • Columbus Dental Group

  • Steinmetz Pediatric Dental

  • Wellspring Pain Solutions

Amounts Generally Billed (AGB) Calculation Summary

Per Treasury Regulations §1.501(r)-5(a)(1), a hospital must limit the amount charged for care provided to any individual who is eligible for assistance under its financial assistance policy to not more than amounts generally billed (AGB) in the case of emergency and other medically necessary care. Columbus Regional Hospital calculates an AGB percentage based on the look-back method and is based on actual claims paid. In accordance with §1.501(r)-5(b)(3)(i), AGB percentage is based on the Medicare fee-for-service and all private health insurers that pay claims to the hospital facility.

The AGB is calculated annually by dividing the sum of the amounts of all of its claims for emergency and other medically necessary care that have been allowed by Medicare and Commercial insurers during a prior 12-month period by the sum of the associated gross charges for those claims. For 2022, the 12-month period utilized was September 1, 2021 – August 31, 2022. The resulting calculation for AGB was 39% and is effective January, 1, 2023 for Columbus Regional Hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions

Columbus Regional Hospital will bill your insurance on your behalf using the information you provide at registration. You are responsible for providing the hospital with any updated insurance or address information. You will not be billed until insurance has time to consider the claim.

After your insurance company has reviewed your hospital bill and paid or denied their portion, the hospital will bill you for your part of the bill. Your hospital bill will show charges for what insurance does not pay. Most insurance plans require patients to pay part of their hospital bill. If you have any questions about your insurance, please contact your insurance company. This process could take several months for insured patients. Self-pay patients can expect a bill within 2 - 3 weeks.

Emergency Department patients are billed based on a point system for the amount of resources required during their visit. Resources may include x-rays, labs, urine test, medication, etc. You will receive a separate bill from the physician.

In cases of injury resulting from an accident, Medicare and Medicaid require that the hospital bill the liable party first (auto or homeowners insurance).

For all other patients, hospital expenses incurred as a result of a vehicle accident or public liability will be billed on your behalf. We can only bill your auto insurance - we cannot bill another party’s auto insurance.

Medicare plans do not cover the purchase of hearing aids and often do not pay for ambulance transportation.

The bill you receive from the hospital does not include fees from the physician or other specialists, such as emergency room physician, anesthesiologist, radiologist, cardiologist, surgeon, pathologist, your attending physician or hospitalist, etc. These professionals have their own billing system and will send you a separate bill. Questions regarding physician billing should be directed to the specific physician office.

Admission Status

Observation Versus Inpatient

At Columbus Regional Hospital, we strive to keep our patients informed, so we want to make you aware that there are different types of admission statuses. Your doctor must decide which status is appropriate based on your overall condition and payor guidelines. The types of statuses are listed below. Please be aware that your status could change during your stay.

Inpatient

Medicare: Your doctor determines you require at least a 2 midnight stay in the hospital for medically necessary hospital services. Services will be billed to Medicare Part A insurance.

All other payors: Your doctor determines that your condition is severe, and you are receiving high intensity services that meet nationally recognized criteria for an inpatient status. Services will be billed as inpatient.

Observation

All payors: Your doctor determines services are needed to help determine if you need to be admitted as an inpatient or can be discharged. Observation services may be provided in different areas of the hospital. Observation services may also include one or more overnight stays. For Medicare, coverage services will be applied to the Part B benefit.

Outpatient in a Bed

All payors: Your doctor determines that the services you require do not meet your payor guidelines for inpatient status; however, your doctor has determined care in a hospital bed is necessary. For Medicare, coverage services will be applied to the Part B benefit.

Knowing your status is very important because it does affect the hospital bills and your out-of-pocket expenses. Financial counselors are happy to meet with you concerning your financial responsibility. You can call (812) 376-5315 or (800) 841-4954 during normal business hours.

Additional information can be found on the Medicare website at www.cms.gov or you may contact your specific insurance plan member services department. If you have any questions concerning your status, please let us know.

Explanation of Insurance Terms

What is a deductible?

A deductible is the amount you owe for healthcare services that your health insurance or plan covers before your health insurance or plan begins to pay for covered healthcare services (for example $1000). The deductible may not apply to all services.

What is a co-payment or coinsurance?

Co-payment is a fixed amount you pay for a covered health care service (for example $15), usually when you receive the service. The amount can vary by the type of covered healthcare service. Co-insurance is your share of the costs of a covered healthcare service, calculated as a percent (for example 20%) of the allowed amount for the service.

How does my out-of-pocket maximum work?

The out-of pocket maximum is the dollar amount of a deductible and/or coinsurance expense paid by a covered person and/or family for covered services in a benefit period. After you reach your out-of-pocket limit, your plan covers 100 percent of the eligible charges for the remainder of the benefit period unless specified by your health plan. Check your “Summary Plan Document” for details.

In-Network Providers

Most insurance plans today have “in-network” providers. If you see those doctors and visit those hospitals, you pay less out-of-pocket than if you go outside the network. So, if you want to keep your own doctor and go to a certain hospital, make sure they are on the provider list. You can call the member services department of your health plan or talk with someone in your human resources department if you have questions. Following are important questions to ask:

  1. What physicians, hospitals, clinics and pharmacies are covered?
  2. How much does it cost to go out of network?
  3. What is the most I’ll have to pay out of my own pocket to cover expenses?
  4. Are pregnancy, psychiatric care, physical therapy, mental health services, substance misuse, and ambulance services covered?

VIMCare Clinc

VIMCare, formerly Volunteers In Medicine, opened in 1996 as our community’s solution to a critical lack of access to primary healthcare for uninsured Bartholomew County residents. Today, many patients are able to enroll in HIP 2.0, Indiana’s Medicaid insurance product, which makes them ineligible for free care. VIMCare is a primary care clinic and has been designed to provide access to HIP 2.0 patients as well as the uninsured.

Learn More About VIMCare

In-Network Health Plans

Columbus Regional Health accepts plans from a variety of health insurance and managed care providers. The providers that we accept plans from are linked below. This list of providers is updated periodically and is subject to change. Please check with your health plan to verify coverage.

View Accepted Plans