MONROE - Over the past two years, Monroe Clinic has provided more than $7 million in health care costs for people who were unable to pay.
Monroe Clinic President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Sanders said the clinic is dedicated to providing services and health care for all its patients regardless of their financial situation.
"I believe our charity care levels demonstrate we are doing our part as a Catholic health ministry to serve those in need of financial assistance," he said.
According to Monroe Clinic, its Charity Care program, available for people unable to pay for health care and forgiven by the Clinic, accounted for 1.2 percent of the Clinic's expenses in 2007 and 1.6 percent in 2008. The program amounted to $1.4 million of total operating expenses in 2007 and $2 million in 2008.
The total amount of Charity Care and bad debt cost, money billed but not collected from people unable to pay, amounted to $3.4 million in 2007 and $3.7 million in 2008.
Monroe Clinic Vice President and Chief financial officer Julie Wilke said Monroe Clinic wants to serve the community and understands that people have trouble paying bills. The best way to avoid larger medical bills due to catastrophic illness is to see a doctor regularly.
The Charity Care program includes costs that are not paid because of financial hardships. The Community Care program, which includes Charity Care, allows patients to pay reduced costs for health care, Wilke said.
Community Care applicants must live in Monroe Clinic's service area for three months. Wilke said help to fill out a required application is available in the clinic's accounting department.
Wilke and Sanders said they expect to see more people in need of help due to the economy. The clinic will not turn anyone away, Wilke added.
"We owe it to our patients and the communities we serve to let them know our commitment to those in need is alive and well," Sanders said.
Wilke encouraged people who face job loss or potential problems with insurance to come to the Clinic to see what can be done to help with health care.
More information is available at monroeclinic.org or by calling the Clinic at 324-2000.
Monroe Clinic President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Sanders said the clinic is dedicated to providing services and health care for all its patients regardless of their financial situation.
"I believe our charity care levels demonstrate we are doing our part as a Catholic health ministry to serve those in need of financial assistance," he said.
According to Monroe Clinic, its Charity Care program, available for people unable to pay for health care and forgiven by the Clinic, accounted for 1.2 percent of the Clinic's expenses in 2007 and 1.6 percent in 2008. The program amounted to $1.4 million of total operating expenses in 2007 and $2 million in 2008.
The total amount of Charity Care and bad debt cost, money billed but not collected from people unable to pay, amounted to $3.4 million in 2007 and $3.7 million in 2008.
Monroe Clinic Vice President and Chief financial officer Julie Wilke said Monroe Clinic wants to serve the community and understands that people have trouble paying bills. The best way to avoid larger medical bills due to catastrophic illness is to see a doctor regularly.
The Charity Care program includes costs that are not paid because of financial hardships. The Community Care program, which includes Charity Care, allows patients to pay reduced costs for health care, Wilke said.
Community Care applicants must live in Monroe Clinic's service area for three months. Wilke said help to fill out a required application is available in the clinic's accounting department.
Wilke and Sanders said they expect to see more people in need of help due to the economy. The clinic will not turn anyone away, Wilke added.
"We owe it to our patients and the communities we serve to let them know our commitment to those in need is alive and well," Sanders said.
Wilke encouraged people who face job loss or potential problems with insurance to come to the Clinic to see what can be done to help with health care.
More information is available at monroeclinic.org or by calling the Clinic at 324-2000.