Free or Discounted Hospital Care
If you have lupus or any other illness that requires hospital care, and you are uninsured or have high healthcare costs, you may be eligible for free or discounted hospital care.
California law (Assembly Bill 774, The Hospital Fair Pricing Act of 2006) requires every hospital to offer reduced rates to uninsured and underinsured patients that may have low or moderate income, and to provide policies that clearly state the qualifications for free care and discounted payments.
With some exceptions, you could qualify for free or discounted care if:
1. Your income is below 350% of the Federal Poverty Level -- currently $38,115 for one person or $78,225 for a family of four, and
2. You do not have health insurance of any kind, or have health insurance but your medical costs were more than 10% of you income in the last year.
If you or someone you know needs to avail of free or discounted hospital care, more information as well as searchable list of hospital policies on this issue, can be obtained by visiting this Website.
For additional list of resources on disability, unemployment and health insurance in California, click HERE. |
Dana Hawkes, RN, Clinical Nurse Educator with Human Genome Sciences, Inc., answers questions regarding the new lupus drug Benlysta at a brown bag session held December 1, 20011 at the lupus Foundation of Northern California. Information about Benlysta may be obtained by visiting this website. |