Community Care Program
Do You Need Help With Your Hospital Bill?
We are proud of our long-standing commitment to serving our patients, regardless of ability to pay. We also know that some patients may need help to pay their medical bills. If you need help, please let us know at Scheduling, Pre-Registration, Registration, tell any employee, or call one of the numbers below:
- Help with Hospital/Outpatient Bill: 309-672-4800 or 800-845-0231
- Help with Physician Bill: 309-672-4809 or 888-772-5351
- Medical Assistance Program: 309-672-4956 or 309-671-8282
Hours for the Central Business Office: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
When you are under medical care, we want you to concentrate on getting well. We are here to help you take care of any financial concerns. Please ask us and we will be there for you. We can help you by:
- Checking your insurance coverage to see if your insurance will cover services, how much they will cover and what needs to be done to make sure they honor your benefits.
- Identifying any non-covered services, any additional information you need to provide your insurance for payment, and any other out-of-pocket expenses you may be responsible for.
- Helping you complete the forms your insurance company or your employer needs.
- Helping you apply for Public Aid (medical assistance), explaining how it works and what you need to do, and helping you give Public Aid the information they need.
- Setting up payment plans which are fair and equitable. Methodist does not charge interest, service charges or late fees.
- Helping you apply for Methodist's Community Care Program. We understand that some people are unable to pay for their medical and hospital services. That is why Methodist Medical Center and the Methodist Medical Group set up the Community Care Program. It provides quality medical care free or at discounted rates for those in need. The following are some general guidelines about the program:
- Methodist Health Services provides charitable services for persons requiring non-elective healthcare based on federal standards adjusted for our community.
- Your eligibility is based on a review of your family income. You will need to fill out an application (click here to download the application) and provide documentation about your income during the last 12 months. We will also ask questions about assets, including savings and investments. A reasonable amount of those assets may be applied to your bill before we can determine discounted or free care. We do not look at any assets considered part of the "homestead exemption" such as your house or car. Your representative in Patient Accounts can explain more about this. They may be reached at the phone numbers above.
- If you believe you are disabled and/or if you have dependent children in your home, we ask that you apply for Public Aid before we consider additional help under the Community Care Program. Please let us know if you need help applying for Public Aid.
- Discounted/Community Care will be approved only after all third party insurance payments, Workers' Compensation, Public Aid or other payments are received.
- We will determine if you are eligible for Methodist's Community Care Program within 10 working days after we get your application. If for some reason we can not make a determination during this time, we will notify you by letter or telephone as to the reason for the delay.
- We will keep all information you provide us in strict confidence, and every effort will be made to ensure your privacy.
Medicaid Assistance Program (Hospital Services Only)
Some patients who do not have insurance may qualify for help from the state. We can help you work through this process. For more information, call 309-672-4956.
Time Payment
If your financial means are limited, you may be eligible for a monthly payment plan. Methodist does not charge interest to those who qualify.
Assessing Your Need
At some point during your care, a member of the Financial Assistance Team may contact you about your financial status. It is their job to help you understand your insurance coverage or need for financial help. Please feel free to ask questions. We are here to help - with understanding and compassion, and to make sure your privacy is well protected.
If you want to talk with us by phone, you can call us at any of the numbers listed above.