These are the legal provisions related to hospital financial assistance/charity care in the state of Oregon. This is intended for educational use and should not be treated as legal advice.
Is there a state charity care law?
Yes, Oregon has its own law.
Qualifications for charity care in Oregon
Does the law specify a minimum Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for charity care?
Oregon's law regarding minimum FPL is as follows: Hospitals must provide 100% assistance for patients up to 200% FPL, 75% assistance for patients 201–300% FPL, 50% assistance for patients 301–350% FPL, or 25% assistance for patients 351–400% FPL.
Does the law specify a minimum deadline for applying for charity care?
Oregon law specifies the minimum at 240 days from the first post-discharge bill.
Does the law specify that having insurance disqualifies a patient for charity care?
Oregon law explicitly requires hospitals to provide assistance to the insured.
Does the law specify that patients must be residents to be eligible for charity care?
Some hospitals do, but state law implies this is illegal.
Does the law specify that patients must be US citizens or documented immigrants/lawful permanent residents to be eligible for charity care?
Oregon law explicitly requires hospitals to provide assistance regardless of immigration status.
Does the law specify that patients must owe a minimum bill amount in order to be eligible for charity care?
Oregon law explicitly states that hospitals may not impose a minimum bill requirement.
How the law applies to copays in Oregon
Does the law specify that patients cannot be responsible for a copay if they are eligible for charity care?
Oregon prohibits requiring a copay for emergency services.
Does the law specify that hospitals cannot deny financial assistance to cover patient copays, coinsurance, or deductibles?
Oregon prohibits requiring a copay for emergency services.
Collections laws related to charity care in Oregon
Does the law specify that hospitals cannot deny financial assistance to cover patient copays, coinsurance, or deductibles?
Before sending a patient's bill to collections, a hospital must screen the patient for financial assistance and provide them with a copy of its Financial Assistance Policy. Hospitals may, however, use commercially available software or online tools to screen patients for eligibility.
Length of time charity care can be applied to future bills in Oregon
Does the law specify that hospitals must honor a charity care decision for future bills for a specific length of time?
Oregon 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.