At UF Health Shands, we are deeply committed to ensuring everyone has access to essential medical care. Recognizing that healthcare costs can be a significant burden, we provide emergency, urgent, and medically necessary health services to all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay upfront. Our Shands Charity Care Program is designed to offer financial assistance to those who qualify, making healthcare accessible within our community.
Who is Eligible for Financial Assistance through Shands Charity Care?
Our financial assistance program is needs-based, primarily considering your income level. If your family’s adjusted gross income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, you may be eligible for a substantial discount, potentially up to 100% off your medical expenses.
To better understand if you qualify, let’s clarify what 200% of the federal poverty guidelines means. These guidelines are updated annually by the federal government and vary based on family size. This threshold serves as a key benchmark for determining eligibility for numerous assistance programs, including our Shands Charity Care.
How to Apply for the Shands Charity Care Program
Applying for financial assistance is a straightforward process. To be fully considered for the Shands Charity Care program, you must complete our Financial Assistance Application, sign it, and provide all the required supporting documentation. It’s important to note that our standard Financial Assistance policies are designed for residents of the United States. However, for non-US residents requiring emergent, urgent, or traumatic care, we offer case-by-case reviews. Please be aware that this exception may not extend to aftercare or follow-up services.
Alt text: UF Health Shands Hospital exterior, showcasing its commitment to community healthcare.
After submitting your complete application, please allow approximately 7 business days for our review process. We carefully assess each application to determine eligibility and will inform you of our decision via a notification letter sent to your address.
Accessing the Financial Assistance Application
For your convenience, the Financial Assistance Application is readily available in several formats and locations:
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Online: You can download and print the application form directly from our website [link to application form if available on website].
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Physical Copies: If you prefer a physical copy, you can pick one up at the following UF Health locations:
- Patient Financial Services Customer Service at 3300 SW Williston Road, Gainesville, FL 32608
- UF Health Admissions Department at 1600 SW Archer Rd, Room 1335-1Gainesville, FL 32608
- UF Health Leesburg Hospital at 600 E Dixie Avenue, Leesburg, FL 34748
- UF Health Spanish Plaines Hospital at 1451 El Camino Real, The Villages, FL 32612
Alt text: Detail view of a financial aid application, emphasizing the process for healthcare access.
Key Policies and Forms
To ensure transparency and clarity, we provide access to our key policies and forms related to financial assistance:
- Financial Assistance Policy: [Link to Financial Assistance Policy if available on website] – Outlines the complete guidelines and procedures for our charity care program.
- Billing and Collection Policy: [Link to Billing and Collection Policy if available on website] – Details our billing practices and collection procedures.
- List of Physicians Who Bill Independently: [Link to List of Physicians if available on website] – Provides information regarding physicians who may bill separately for their services.
- Financial Assistance Application Form: [Link to Application Form if available on website] – Direct link to download the application form.
Submitting Your Application
Once you have completed the Financial Assistance Application and gathered all necessary documentation, you can submit it through various channels:
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Email: Send your application and documents to [email protected].
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Fax: Fax your application to 352.627.4648.
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Mail: Mail your application to the following address:
UF Health Financial Assistance
PO BOX 100334
Gainesville, FL 32610 -
In-Person Drop-off: You can also drop off your application in person at the locations listed above where physical copies are available, during business hours from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Alt text: Healthcare staff assisting patient with application paperwork, highlighting support for financial aid access.
Discounts for Uninsured Patients
For patients without insurance, UF Health Shands offers a self-pay discount. This can reduce your total charges by up to 45%. It’s important to understand that any self-pay or financial assistance discount applied will be reversed if insurance is later applied, a Third Party Liability (TPL) is identified, a settlement is reached, or another miscellaneous payment source is identified.
Understanding How We Calculate Amounts Generally Billed (AGB)
UF Health Shands adheres to a standard methodology for determining “amounts generally billed” (AGB) to patients who have insurance coverage for emergency or other medically necessary care. We utilize the “look-back” method, as defined in federal regulations, to calculate AGB. This ensures fair and consistent billing practices. As of July 1, 2024, our updated AGB percentage is 20.46%, which translates to a minimum discount of 79.54% applied to gross charges. This percentage is calculated annually based on Medicare fee-for-service claims data from the previous year.
Contact Us for Assistance
If you have any questions regarding the Shands Charity Care program or the financial assistance application process, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at (352) 265-7906 or toll-free at 1-888-766-8154. Our dedicated team is available to assist you Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We are here to help you access the healthcare you need.
At UF Health Shands, we believe that quality healthcare should be within reach for everyone in our community. The Shands Charity Care program is a testament to this commitment, providing a vital safety net for those facing financial challenges while seeking medical care. We encourage anyone who believes they may be eligible to apply and learn more about how we can assist you.
