Financial Assistance
If you'd like to discuss options for financial assistance or payment for any of the hospitals or facilities listed below, please call our Patient Customer Service department at 704-512-7171.
Atrium Health strives to provide financial assistance based on a patient's ability to pay while modeling at all times the Atrium Health core value of Caring.
The Atrium Health financial assistance programs are designed to ensure assistance is provided to patients demonstrating a financial need and to ensure Atrium Health complies with any required federal or state regulations related to financial assistance. Those eligible for financial assistance will never be billed more than the amounts generally billed (AGB) to an insured patient. For more information on the calculation for AGB, contact Patient Customer Service.
Financial Assistance Programs at Atrium Health
Coverage Assistance & Financial Assistance (CAFA)
The CAFA program is for North Carolina and South Carolina residents who are uninsured patients and have received hospital inpatient services or observation services. It also includes hospital outpatient services that result in a balance of $10,000 or more.
Uninsured patients with these types of services will be reviewed for CAFA by the Atrium Health Coverage Assistance Services. A financial counselor will interview the patient and determine if they are eligible for other coverage opportunities. If a patient fully cooperates with this process and no coverage is available, their account will be evaluated for financial assistance based on their income as compared to federal poverty guidelines (FPG).
Patients with income less than or equal to 200% of FPG will receive a 100% discount. Patients between 201% and 400% of FPG will qualify for partial discounts. Interest-free payment options are available to assist patients in paying their remaining balance.
Patients found eligible for the CAFA program for medically necessary inpatient or observation services are eligible for a 100% discount provided by the Atrium Health Medical Group.
Financial Assistance Scoring (FAS)
The Financial Assistance Scoring program is for North Carolina and South Carolina residents who are uninsured patients and have received hospital outpatient services that resulted in a balance of less than $10,000.
Each account will be automatically reviewed for a financial assistance discount prior to billing. Whether a patient qualifies is based on a financial assistance score from a third-party vendor that indicates the likelihood a patient lives in poverty.
Patients with qualifying accounts will be extended a 100% adjustment and will not receive a bill. Patients with a qualifying score are not required to take any action. Patients found ineligible will receive a letter indicating the account was found not eligible. Patients with outpatient services who are not eligible may choose to apply for a full review. Uninsured patients receiving Emergency Department services will be responsible for a $75.00 copay.
Patients can apply by downloading an application at the link below and mailing it to the Atrium Health Coverage Assistance Services. Contact Patient Customer Service to receive an application by mail or obtain an application in person in the hospital facility's admitting office.
Applications should be mailed to:
Atrium Health Business Office
Attention: Coverage Assistance Services
PO Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232
Discount Programs at Atrium Health
Uninsured Discount
Uninsured patients will receive a 50% discount off gross charges on all medically necessary hospital services and a 30% uninsured discount off gross charges on eligible medically necessary Atrium Health Medical Group services. A $50.00 uninsured co-pay will be requested at the time of service for all outpatient Atrium Health Medical Group services.
The uninsured discount is applied automatically and no action is needed by the patient to receive this discount. This program is available to all uninsured patients.
Hardship Settlement Discount
This program is designed to assist both insured and uninsured North Carolina and South Carolina residents who have had a catastrophic medical event that has resulted in very large hospital bills in comparison to their financial resources.
Patients who have incurred a balance after all insurance or third-party payments that is greater than $2,500 and is 10% of their total household financial resources may be eligible for a hardship settlement discount. Patients seeking a hardship settlement should inquire about this program by calling Patient Customer Service after receiving their first statement.
Atrium Health provides a variety of payment options, including Online Bill Pay
and long-term payment plans.
For Atrium Health hospitals not listed above, please go to the specific
hospital's website for their financial assistance and discount policies and
processes. All hospitals provide automatic discounts to uninsured patients and
have financial assistance policies for current medical services based on
federal poverty guidelines. Detailed policies are available upon request.
Helpful Documents
Access to Emergency Care
In 1986, Congress enacted legislation to ensure that all members of the public have access to emergency treatment, regardless of ability to pay. This legislation, known as the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (or EMTALA), imposes specific obligations on Medicare-participating hospitals that offer emergency services. These obligations include medical screening, assistance with labor and delivery, and medical transfer as needed.
Read the complete text of Atrium Health's CMC EMTALA Policy.