These are the legal provisions related to hospital financial assistance/charity care in the state of Rhode Island. This is intended for educational use and should not be treated as legal advice.
Is there a state charity care law?
Yes, Rhode Island has its own law.
Qualifications for charity care in Rhode Island
Does the law specify a minimum Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for charity care?
Rhode Island's law regarding minimum FPL is as follows: Patients within 200% FPL must be given free care. Hospitals must give patient some form of discount to patients between 200%–300% FPL, but the level of discount is up to each hospital.
Does the law specify a minimum deadline for applying for charity care?
No, Rhode Island 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?
Rhode Island 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?
Rhode Island 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?
Rhode Island 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?
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
Does the law specify that patients cannot be responsible for a copay if they are eligible for charity care?
Rhode Island 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 refusing to apply charity care to any part of any bill for emergency or medically necessary care.
Does the law specify that hospitals cannot deny financial assistance to cover patient copays, coinsurance, or deductibles?
Rhode Island 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 refusing to apply charity care to any part of any bill for emergency or medically necessary care.
Collections laws related to charity care in Rhode Island
Does the law specify that hospitals cannot deny financial assistance to cover patient copays, coinsurance, or deductibles?
Under state and federal law a hospital must have a written collections process. A nonprofit hospital, at a minimum cannot sell a debt, refer it to a credit reporting bureau, or engage in a judicial process (such as filing a lawsuit or garnishing wages) for at least 120 days after it sent the patient the first post-discharge bill.
Length of time charity care can be applied to future bills in Rhode Island
Does the law specify that hospitals must honor a charity care decision for future bills for a specific length of time?
Rhode Island 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.