These are the legal provisions related to hospital financial assistance/charity care in the state of Connecticut. This is intended for educational use and should not be treated as legal advice.
Is there a state charity care law?
Yes, Connecticut has its own law.
Qualifications for charity care in Connecticut
Does the law specify a minimum Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for charity care?
No, Connecticut law does not specify a minimum FPL, so federal law would apply.
Federal law does not set a minimum FPL. Nonprofit hospitals are simply required to follow their financial assistance policy.
Does the law specify a minimum deadline for applying for charity care?
No, Connecticut law does not specify a minimum deadline, so federal law would apply.
Federal law specifies a minimum application deadline of 240 days from the date the hospital sent the first post discharge statement/bill.
Does the law specify that having insurance disqualifies a patient for charity care?
Connecticut 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?
Connecticut 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 of their residency.
Does the law specify that patients must be US citizens or documented immigrants/lawful permanent residents to be eligible for charity care?
Connecticut 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 of their immigration status.
Does the law specify that patients must owe a minimum bill amount in order to be eligible for charity care?
Connecticut law does not address this matter, so federal law would apply.
Federal law says that non-profit hospitals may not require a minimum bill amount for a patient to qualify for charity care. All emergency and medically necessary care conducted at a non-profit hospital is eligible for charity care.
How the law applies to copays in Connecticut
Does the law specify that patients cannot be responsible for a copay if they are eligible for charity care?
Connecticut prohibits requiring a copay for emergency services.
Does the law specify that hospitals cannot deny financial assistance to cover patient copays, coinsurance, or deductibles?
Connecticut prohibits requiring a copay for emergency services.
Collections laws related to charity care in Connecticut
Does the law specify that hospitals cannot deny financial assistance to cover patient copays, coinsurance, or deductibles?
Hospitals may send bills to collections, but under Connecticut law, if the patient is uninsured, the hospital must first determine if they are eligible for a donation-based "hospital bed fund." A nonprofit hospital must wait at least 120 days from when they sent the first post-discharge bill before sending any patient to collections.
Length of time charity care can be applied to future bills in Connecticut
Does the law specify that hospitals must honor a charity care decision for future bills for a specific length of time?
Connecticut 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.