For immediate release – July 16, 2008
Contact: Dan Branyon, 864-725-4134
dbranyon@selfregional.org

Hospital’s uninsured patients get added discount

In the midst of a challenging economy, Self Regional Healthcare is taking steps to make health services more affordable to uninsured patients.
Beginning July 21, 2008, uninsured patients at Self Regional who pay within 20 days of their initial hospital billing date will receive a 20 percent discount off their balance, according to Camie Patterson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

This 20 percent discount offers a substantial saving from the 7.5 percent discount offered in the past.  “The discount applies to uninsured patients,” Patterson said. “Most insured patients already receive discounts through their insurance carrier.“For the uninsured patients who do not pay within that time frame but who do pay within 21 to 45 days, we are offering a 10 percent discount,” the CFO added. “We consider it to be a win-win policy for both uninsured patients and the hospital. It’s a positive step for all involved.”

The discount, combined with a newly designed Self Regional hospital bill that will help patients more easily understand the charges, insurance payments and their responsibility, aims to make the hospital’s billing process more friendly, Patterson said.

She also reminds patients of Self Regional’s financial assistance program which offers generous terms to address the accounts of qualified patients. Services such as emergency care as well as inpatient and outpatient care determined to be urgent are covered under the program, which assists those who qualify based on income and resources.

To determine if you potentially quality for the hospital’s medical financial assistance program, click here.