Your Options for Paying Your Medical Bills
Medical insurance assistance program (Medicaid)
Our Financial Advocates can help to determine if you are eligible for Medicaid, or other state or federal programs. These programs provide coverage including prevention, primary care, hospitalization, prescription and other services for individuals, families and children. You will need to complete an application and provide supporting documentation to determine if you qualify.
COBRA
If you were recently covered by insurance under a group health plan, you may be eligible to pick up those benefits to help you with your medical bills. Our Financial Advocates can help you in determining if you qualify for COBRA benefits.
Trinity's financial assistance
Funds may be available to help you with your medical bills. Patients earning up to 1000% of the federal poverty income guidelines may be eligible for financial assistance. You will need to complete a financial assistance application and provide supporting documentation. A Financial Advocate can help you with the form.
How does the process work?
1.) Return your completed application and necessary documents to the Financial Advocate:
2.) Your application will be reviewed, and you will be notified of one of the following outcomes:
- More information is needed from you.
- Assistance is approved and how much you still owe, if any.
- Assistance is denied.
3.) If you are denied assistance, you have the option to appeal. To request an appeal, submit a letter to Trinity's Controller explaining why your application should be reconsidered and include any other supporting documents.
Worker's Compensation
If services you are requesting are the result of a work-related injury, Trinity will bill your employer or your employer's liability carrier.
Insurance Plans
Your insurance may restrict where you receive care, and may require pre-admission certification or prior authorization. If you have services outside of your network, you will be responsible for your hospital charges. Check with your insurance company to ensure your provider is in-network.
Medicare Benefits
Medicare requires that all tests have supporting diagnosis to demonstrate the test is medically necessary. If your physician orders a procedure or service that is not considered medically necessary, you will be asked to sign an Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN). The ABN informs you in advance when Medicare will not pay for the procedure or service, and you will be responsible for payment. By signing the ABN, you are indicating that you understand and are willing to continue with the procedure. You will receive a hospital bill for payment of the service provided.
You have the option of agreeing to be financially responsible for the procedure by signing the ABN or refusing the tests or services. If you refuse the test or service, you will be asked to sign a form indicating that you have chosen not to have the service. If you request the service and will not sign the ABN, you will still be responsible for payment.
Past Due Accounts
Federal and State laws require all hospitals to seek full payment. If your account becomes past due, Trinity will take appropriate action to recover the amount due. If there is a problem with your account, it is your responsibility to contact the Customer Service Center at (888) 343-4165 to find a workable solution. If you fail to follow through with your financial responsibilities, Trinity may refer your account to a collection agency.