Financial Assistance & Insurance

Our patients may receive financial aid at UPMC Western Maryland with hospital services based on income and insurance. We are here to help you understand your patient rights and obligations, and answer your questions about financial assistance and insurance at your convenience.

Questions? Call 240-964-8435

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Hospital Financial Assistance Policy

UPMC Western Maryland provides care, regardless of your ability to pay. Your ability to pay is based on a review which is done by a member of the Health System’s Business Office. This review assures that if you seek emergency or urgent care, you receive those services regardless of your ability to pay.

In accordance with Maryland law, UPMC Western Maryland has a financial assistance policy. You may be entitled to receive financial assistance with the cost of medically necessary hospital services if you have a low income, do not have insurance or your insurance does not cover your medically necessary hospital care.

UPMC Western Maryland meets or exceeds the state’s legal requirement by providing financial assistance based on income established by and published by the Federal Government each year. In order to determine eligibility for assistance, you will be asked to provide certain financial information. It is important that we receive accurate and complete information in order to determine your appropriate level of assistance.

Financial Assistance Policy – Plain Language Summary

Financial Assistance Policy

Credit and Collection Policy

Financial Assistance Program Application

Patient Rights and Obligations

Patient Rights

  • If you meet the financial assistance policy criteria described above, you may receive assistance from the Health System in paying your bill.
  • If you believe you have been wrongly referred to a collection agency, you have the right to contact the hospital to request assistance (See contact information below).
  • You may be eligible for Medical Assistance. Medical Assistance is a program funded jointly by the state and federal governments that pays the full cost of health coverage for low-income individuals who meet certain criteria (See contact information below).
  • You have the right to request and receive a written estimate of the total charges for non-emergency hospital services, procedures, and reasonable supplies that are expected to be provided and billed for by UPMC Western Maryland.The Health Service Cost Review Commission establishes a process for a patient or a patient’s authorized representative to file with the Commission a complaint against a hospital for an alleged violation of 19-214.1 or 19- 214.2 of this subtitle. The email address for the Health Service Cost Review Commission patient complaint hscrc.patient-complaints@maryland.gov.Additionally, complaints can be made jointly with the Health Education and Advocacy Unit of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office:
    200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202
    www.marylandattorneygeneral.govPhysician Charges Professional services by providers who are not employed by UPMC Western Maryland are not included in hospitals bills and are billed separately by the provider.

Patient Obligations

  • If you have the ability to pay your bill, it is your obligation to pay the hospital in a timely manner.
  • The UPMC Western Maryland makes every effort to see that your accounts are properly billed, and you may expect to receive a uniform summary statement within 30 days of discharge. It is your responsibility to provide correct insurance information.
  • If you do not have health coverage, we expect you to pay the bill in a timely manner. If you believe that you may be eligible under the hospital’s financial assistance policy, or if you cannot afford to pay the bill in full, you should contact the business office promptly to discuss this matter. (See contact information below).
  • If you fail to meet the financial obligations of this bill, you may be referred to a collection agency. In determining whether you are eligible for free, reduced cost care, or a payment plan, it is your obligation of the patient to provide accurate and complete financial information. If your financial position changes, you have an obligation to promptly contact the business office to provide updated/corrected information.

Contact Us

Our options for payments and financial assistance forms are as follows:

Have Questions about your Bill?

Contact the hospital business office at 240-964-8435. A hospital representative will be glad to assist you with any questions you may have.

Have Questions About the Financial Assistance Plan?

If you wish to get more information about or need to apply for the hospital’s financial assistance plan, you may call the business office or download the uniform financial assistance application.

Apply for Medical Assistance

If you wish to get more information about or apply for Maryland Medical Assistance you may contact your local Department of Social Services by phone 1-800-332-6347; TTY: 1-800-925-4434; or internet www.dhr.state.md.us.

West Virginia residents: Call 1-800-642-8589 or http://www.dhhr.wv.gov .

Pennsylvania residents: Call 1-800-692-7462 or www.compass.state.pa.us

Physician Services

Physician services provided during your visit will be billed separately and their services are not included on your hospital billing statement. This includes the fees for emergency department physicians, primary care physicians, surgeons, cardiologists, radiologists, and other physicians who provide care during your visit.

Insurance Hotline

If you have any questions about which UPMC Western Maryland diagnostic facility you should use based on your insurance coverage, please call our Insurance Hotline at 240-964-8111.

Services for the Uninsured

UPMC Western Maryland is co-owner of Maryland Physicians Care (MPC), a Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO). MPC has provided its members free, quality health care for more than a decade. MPC offers valuable benefits and services with absolutely no copays to more than 100,000 qualifying children, pregnant women and adults 19 and over.

For more information, call 1-800-953-8854 or visit Maryland Physicians Care online at www.MarylandPhysiciansCare.com.