Appeal process & timeframes

All patients may appeal the determination of eligibility for charity care by providing additional verification of income or family size to the hospital within 30 days of receipt of the “Notice of Determination”.

If the patient has paid on their account and are later found to have been eligible for charity care within 6 months from the time services were provided, they will be reimbursed for any amounts in excess of what is determined to be owed for their service(s).

The patient will be reimbursed within 30 days of receiving the notice of determination.

If the patient has been sent to collections and within 6 months is found to have been eligible for charity care, the account will be cancelled at the collection agency and the appropriate charity adjustment will be made.

If charity eligibility is more than 6 months after assignment, the account will be cancelled at the collection agency and will be written off at Salem Hospital as bad debt uncollectable.