Category: General

What is a Sliding Fee Scale Discount Program?

Posted on by Hurtt Family Health Clinic

Hurtt Family Health Clinic welcomes all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, source of income, and insurance status. As an FQHC clinic, we are able to offer a wide selection of healthcare solutions through the Sliding Fee Scale Discount program.

Understanding sliding fee scale discount program

The sliding fee program allows Hurtt Family Health Clinic to help you care for you and your family’s health by reducing or “sliding” the cost of your healthcare. Our low cost medical clinics determine the discount based upon your family size and household income. The discounts to be eligible are updated annually according to the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG).

How to apply for the sliding fee scale discount program

Hurtt Family Health Clinic has streamlined procedures to help patients to conveniently apply for sliding fee discounts. The following are procedures for updating and applying Sliding Fee Discounts, in accordance with our sliding fee discount for all medical services policy:

  • Sliding Fee Application – to apply for sliding fee discount program (SFSD), you need to complete the sliding fee application form wherein you will indicate your income and household size. Aside from the application form, you also need to submit government issued identification card of the head of the household, proof of address, and proof of income.
  • Patients with Third Party Coverage – patients with insurance coverage are still eligible for the sliding fee discount.
  • Declining SFSD Eligibility Screening – patients who decline the SFSD eligibility assessment may still be reconsidered for the program any time once they agree to be screened for the program and submit the necessary documents.
  • Assigning and Updating Sliding Fee Status – all patients are required to update their income statement documentation every year.
  • Financial Assistance Options – our sliding fee program is designed to make healthcare more accessible, especially to underserved and uninsured patients in Orange County. We offer the following financial assistance options so cost will no longer hinder our patients from getting the healthcare they deserve.
  • Patient Special Needs Request (PSNR) Form – patients can submit a PSNR form if they are unable to pay the fee associated with their sliding fee schedule because of a temporary financial problem.
  • Payment Plan Form – this plan is used to help those who are unable to make full payment for their healthcare costs. Patients must submit a form explaining their financial situation and payment plan details.
  • Self-Declaration Form – this assistance program form is submitted by patients who want to be screened for eligibility for the Sliding Fee Discount.

The Sliding Fee Scale Discount program is a part of Hurtt Family Health Clinic’s effort in ensuring that patients in Orange County get the healthcare that they deserve regardless of their ability to pay. We offer this program in any of our fixed locations in Tustin, Santa Ana, and Anaheim.

To learn more about our discount programs, call us at (714)247-0300. You can also email info@hurttclinic.org.

Quality Healthcare for People with No Insurance

Posted on by Hurtt Family Health Clinic

The cost of family healthcare today can be staggering, and this has become one of the biggest concerns in the country. Medical insurance provides a solution to the problem, easing some of the financial burdens for people in need of healthcare. Sadly, not everyone can afford to buy insurance, particularly those who belong to the lowest income groups, or are unemployed or homeless.

One of the most common remedies resorted to by uninsured patients is to go to hospital ERs to get treatment. Unlike in doctors’ offices where upfront payment is required, hospital ERs bill patients only after treatment has been given. However, the cost of ER services is generally much higher than doctors’ offices.

Additionally, looking after your health should not be confined to getting medical attention only when it is urgently needed. Healthcare should be a continuing and encompassing exercise, and must include management of acute and chronic illnesses, as well as preventative care to reduce the risks of acute diseases.

Not having insurance does not mean that you can’t have access to quality healthcare. There are several solutions that you can explore. One of the most viable ways to access affordable healthcare is by going to a community health clinic.

Finding a ‘No Health Insurance’ Clinic in Orange County

Community health clinics are found throughout the United States. Hurtt Family Health Clinic is one such provider, serving the Orange County community in three fixed locations (Tustin, Santa Ana and Anaheim) and several medical mobile sites.

Federally Qualified Health Centers, also known as FQHCs, receive funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services, as well as contributions from the community and civil society. These community health clinics are created primarily to serve low income groups, the uninsured or underinsured, the homeless, and anyone who has limited access to healthcare. Everyone, however, is welcome at these clinics.

Although federally funded, many FQHCs are the result of a true community effort. Hurtt Family Health Clinic started providing free medical care throughout Orange County in 2000 as part of the Orange County Rescue Mission. It got its present name in 2009 in honor of the Hurtt family, who was one of the OCRM’s longest running donors. In addition to federal funding, the clinic also works in partnership with various grants and community organizations to provide vital safety net services to the underserved and uninsured of Orange County.

Low Cost But High Quality Healthcare

A clinic such as ours provides an encompassing range of services at highly affordable costs to uninsured and underinsured patients. Hurtt Family Health Clinic has adopted a comprehensive care model that includes long term and full continuum programs. Some of the services offered at the clinic are:

  • Primary and preventative medical care
  • Dental services
  • Mental health services
  • Optometry services
  • Chiropractic care
  • Health education
  • Care and disease management

Low Cost Pharmacy Services

Among the benefits you can get from community health clinics are affordable pharmacy services. These include low cost and free medications, which the clinics are able to offer through coverage benefits from pharmaceutical companies, the federal 340B drug pricing programs, and various grants.

Hurtt Clinic’s free discount drug card allows up to 75% savings on prescription drugs. You can also get assistance in completing applications for Prescription Assistance Programs, which allow patients to obtain free or low-cost medicines directly from pharmaceutical companies.

If you want to know more about any of our services, make an appointment at any of our clinics in Tustin, Santa Ana or Anaheim.

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