We are available to our community 24 hours a day for emergency care. We provide this care to all in need, regardless of your ability to pay.
If you are unable to pay for medical care, SOMC participates in the Ohio Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP), which provides free basic medically necessary care to eligible patients. We also provide charity care to patients who are unable to pay through our SOMC Caring Program. We can assist you in applying for these programs.
Ohio Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP)
The Hospital Assurance Program (HCAP) provides free basic, medically necessary, care to eligible patients. Patients who wish to apply for this program must be voluntary residents of the state of Ohio, with intent to remain in the state. They must also be at or below the federal poverty guidelines.
Coverage is limited to basic medically necessary hospital level services. These are defined as all inpatient and outpatient services covered under the Medicaid Program.
To apply for this program, patients must complete an application form and submit it to the Patient Accounting Department.
Financial assistance may only be given for self-pay portions of hospital bills. Funds can only be applied to hospital bills at SOMC. Bills from physicians and other health care providers are not eligible.
If approved, HCAP adjustments will be applied to the balance of your account for which the application was submitted, after all other insurance or payments have been exhausted. Once the account has been processed, a new application will be required on future services.
SOMC Caring Program
Southern Ohio Medical Center Provides free charity care to those in need. This program is available for any and all inpatient and outpatient services with the exception of elective services.
To qualify for the SOMC Caring Program, patients must demonstrate that all other methods of obtaining financial assistance have been exhausted. Financial evaluation is made for those in need. Eligibility is based on income. All applicants are requested to provide income verification.
Income guidlines are based on a sliding scale of 200% – 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and are updated as changes are related.
Patient balances remaining after insurance coverage or federal/state agencies can be considered for this program. The application acceptance, in all cases, is based upon full cooperation of the patient with SOMC, insurance carriers and the Ohio Department of Human Services. The income level and the number of members in the family will determine the percentage of charity care.
Approval of cases is granted through the SOMC Financial Assistance program and may cover both hospital and physician charges, based on the date of service. Bills from other healthcare providers are not eligible. For more information, visit SOMC.org/Patients & Visitors/Financial Assistance to print or complete an application or call the Patient Accounting Department at 740-356-7229.