These are the legal provisions related to hospital financial assistance/charity care in the state of Indiana. This is intended for educational use and should not be treated as legal advice.
Is there a state charity care law?
Yes, Indiana has its own law.
Qualifications for charity care in Indiana
Does the law specify a minimum Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for charity care?
Indiana's law regarding minimum FPL is as follows: Individuals at or below 75% FPL are eligible for free care if not receiving treatment would threaten their life or seriously harm their organs.
Does the law specify a minimum deadline for applying for charity care?
Indiana's law regarding a minimum deadline is as follows: For state benefits, if a person is at or under 75% FPL, either the patient or provider must apply for benefits within 45 days of release or discharge. Nonprofit hospitals must accept a financial assistance application for 240 days after they sent the first post-discharge bill.
Does the law specify that having insurance disqualifies a patient for charity care?
Indiana law does not address this matter, so federal law would apply.
Federal law does not directly answer this. However, we think that federal law prohibits nonprofit hospitals from denying patients charity care because they are insured.
Does the law specify that patients must be residents to be eligible for charity care?
For State benefits for those within 75% FPL, non-residents are only eligible if onset of the medical condition occurred in Indiana.
Does the law specify that patients must be US citizens or documented immigrants/lawful permanent residents to be eligible for charity care?
State benefits are only available to US citizens or documented immigrants/lawful permanent residents.
Does the law specify that patients must owe a minimum bill amount in order to be eligible for charity care?
Indiana law explicitly states that hospitals may not impose a minimum bill requirement.
How the law applies to copays in Indiana
Does the law specify that patients cannot be responsible for a copay if they are eligible for charity care?
Indiania prohibits requiring a copay for emergency services.
Does the law specify that hospitals cannot deny financial assistance to cover patient copays, coinsurance, or deductibles?
Indiania prohibits requiring a copay for emergency services.
Collections laws related to charity care in Indiana
Does the law specify that hospitals cannot deny financial assistance to cover patient copays, coinsurance, or deductibles?
Indiana law explicitly states that a hospital may not send an account to collections if the patient is eligible for charity care.
Length of time charity care can be applied to future bills in Indiana
Does the law specify that hospitals must honor a charity care decision for future bills for a specific length of time?
Indiana law does not address this matter, so federal law would apply.
Federal law does not directly address this. Nonprofit hospitals are simply required to follow their financial assistance policy.