Balance Resolution. 1. Northwell Health is committed to working with each patient toward equitable resolution of the patient’s self-pay balances, regardless of whether a patient qualifies for Financial Assistance. Financial Assistance and in some cases, hardship adjustments, shall be considered for those patients whose income will not allow full payment of a patient balance within a reasonable time, pursuant to the FAP. Financial Assistance will be applied at approved levels to any outstanding unpaid account the patient may have for Emergency Medical Care or Medically Necessary Services without respect to the date of service. All patients who have submitted an Application will be notified in writing regarding Financial Assistance eligibility determinations (including, if applicable, the assistance for which the individual is eligible) and the basis for this determination. 2. During collection interactions with patients, Northwell Health staff and any outside collection agency staff or debt collection attorneys shall take reasonable steps in accordance with this Policy and the FAP to equitably resolve their account. 3. Northwell Health shall offer multiple options for resolving patient self-pay balances when such options are present. 4. Representatives shall discuss the options available to patients who do not qualify for Financial Assistance under the FAP, and help patients identify which option may best meet their needs and Northwell Health’s collection goals. Options may include: a. Payment by cash, check, debit, or credit cards; b. Offering payment plans; and c. Offering modified payment terms on a case-by-case basis. 5. When patients are placed on one or more payment plans in connection with an approved Application under the FAP, Northwell Health shall not charge interest and the monthly payment(s) on such plan(s) together shall not exceed 5% of the patient’s gross monthly income. Patients are only eligible for payment plans if their account balance is at least $100 total, with a minimum monthly payment of $25. 6. In every document and web page permitting patients to create a payment plan, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will include a conspicuous notice about the availability of Financial Assistance. 7. Multiple attempts will be made to communicate with patients to resolve a balance so that referrals to outside collection agencies and debt collection attorneys will not be necessary. 8. At any stage of the patient experience, including collections, the patient may request that a determination be made to see if the patient qualifies for Financial Assistance under the FAP. Once an Application is approved, the FAP will govern handling of that patient’s balance. 9. Northwell Health will not sell patient’s medical debt to any third party, unless such third party explicitly purchases such medical debt in order to relieve the debt of the patient.
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