Call 239-689-7000

MENU

Have questions?

Phone: 239-689-7000
Fax: 239-689-7007

Charity Care

I. Policy Purpose

Gladiolus Surgery Center SCA Health

Gladiolus Surgery Center is committed to providing high-quality, accessible, and compassionate surgical care to all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status. In alignment with our mission to serve the broader community, we recognize our responsibility to support vulnerable populations, including those covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

II. Persons Affected

This policy is applicable to all teammates, business associates (contractors, consultants, temporary workers, volunteers, physicians, clinicians, and other workforce members at SCA), including all personnel affiliated with third parties.

These policies, procedures, and forms are compiled based on both legal and regulatory requirements as well as industry standard best practices. People are expected to use established practices and sound judgment in making decisions.

III. Objectives

  • To affirm the ASC’s charitable purpose as a healthcare provider dedicated to equitable access to surgical services.
  • To outline the ASC’s commitment to maintaining Medicare and Medicaid credentials.
  • To ensure that operational practices reflect the center’s mission to serve underserved and publicly insured populations.

IV. Payment Plans and Other Discounts

For all payors, including self-pay, a patient may request a discount and/or payment plan if certain criteria are met. The Business Office Coordinator (BOC) is responsible for monitoring these discounts and notifying the Administrator of any excess discounts and/or payment plans. Approval is at the facility’s discretion and should be made on a case-by-case basis.

The documented and approved discount and payment plan policies are attached and must be kept with this policy at the facility for reference.

If the patient or responsible party is unable or unwilling to pay their estimated financial responsibility on or before the DOS, a payment plan option may be available if the criteria below is met:

  • Patient has satisfied the deductible amount.
  • The patient has applied for CareCredit and received a denial letter.

Payment plans will not be offered for deductibles, copays, or self-pay/cosmetic procedures.

Once a payment plan has been approved, the patient will be required to follow the steps outlined:

  • The patient will be able to choose from the instalment options below when electing to enroll in a payment plan:
    • Identify what the patient can pay prior to admission and payoff period.
    • 50% on admission and the balance in 30 days. This payment plan should be quoted first. If the patient cannot meet the requirements of this payment plan, the second option can be given.
    • 50% on admission and the balance within 60 days. If the patient cannot meet the requirements of this payment plan, the third option can be given. Requires monthly payments until full balance is paid.
    • 33% on admission and the balance within 60 days. If the patient cannot meet the requirements of this payment plan, contact the CEO or Business Office Manager for further options.
  • The patient will be required to leave a credit card on file for payments to be withdrawn automatically until the payment plan is satisfied.
  • If the patient cannot meet the requirements or agree to the terms set forth, the account will be escalated to the Business Office Manager or Administrator.
  • If at any time the patient defaults on the payment plan, the balance may be sent to collections, and the patient will not be eligible for any future payment plan options at Colonial Outpatient Surgery Center.

V. Enforcement

Any teammate found to have violated this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Business associates found to have violated this policy may be subject to financial penalties, up to and including termination of contract. SCA policies and procedures are confidential proprietary information that should not be disclosed to individuals outside SCA. All confidential or proprietary information should be protected against theft, loss, and unauthorized disclosure.

Related Documents(s)/ Attachments (s):

  • Point of Service Policy or Payment Plan Policy
  • Other Discounts Policy

VI. Review and Update

Review and Update: This policy is to be reviewed annually to determine if the policy complies with current regulations and SCA practices. If significant related changes occur, the policy will be reviewed and updated as needed.