The teams at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital (SMH) are working to expand access to financial assistance to ensure residents across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula don’t delay or forego essential care.
As rising healthcare costs continue to impact communities and hospitals across the state, SMH remains committed to caring for all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital’s sliding fee scale program offers financial assistance to those who have limited or no means of covering medical costs.
In understanding the financial realities that many rural households currently face, SMH recently revised their program eligibility to take into account a broader range of essential living expenses.
Housing, utilities, food, medical debt and transportation costs are all factored in when determining a patient’s eligibility for assistance. Those who qualify are also given access to financial counseling and support from a patient financial services representative.
During a routine OB/GYN appointment, one provider caring for a patient named Kathy discovered a lump that required a mammogram and ultrasound for further investigation. Kathy chose to drive 90 minutes to seek follow-up care at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in Manistique, MI.
“I compared my options and I decided I was going to drive,” Kathy said. “I really love the feel of a smaller hospital compared to a bigger one.”
Rather than wait months for insurance-covered care or scrambling to pay out of pocket, Kathy turned to Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital’s financial services team and received assistance that made it possible for her to get the care she needed, when she needed it.
“Knowing I was going to get help with this, especially while waiting to find out if something could be seriously wrong, made all the difference,” she said.
Federal initiatives like the 340B Drug Pricing Program also play a critical role in helping rural residents access lifesaving medications and essential services close to home, from preventive screenings to advanced treatments.
As an independent critical access hospital serving the central upper peninsula, SMH teams are focused on reducing barriers that prevent residents from getting the care they need. Under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(r), non-profit hospitals are required to have a written Financial Assistance Policy (FAP). Those who previously did not qualify for financial assistance are encouraged to reapply under the hospital’s updated guidelines.
Questions or content ideas for the Hospitals Help series may be directed to Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.
