Care Without Insurance
Ask our expert about care for uninsured and underinsured infants and children
- My son fell and hurt his arm. I don’t have medical insurance. What should I do?
- How will I pay for the care my child receives?
- How significant can the reductions in the bill be?
- How do I contact a financial counselor?
- Are there any services available to help with my child’s preventative care?
- Are there state programs that provide health insurance to children?
Q: My son fell and hurt his arm. I don’t have medical insurance. What should I do?
A: Take him to Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network’s (LVHHN) emergency department. We treat all patients, regardless of their ability to pay for care. In fact, you won’t be asked about insurance coverage until after your son receives treatment. At that time, you simply need to tell the emergency department receptionist you don’t have insurance. Whether your son is discharged after receiving treatment in the emergency department or if he needs to be admitted for additional care, our staff is available to help you through the process.
Q: How will I pay for the care my child receives?
A: You may qualify for a state-funded program, free care or care at a reduced cost. LVHHN is the only local hospital to offer a reduced cost program to families with a household income four times greater than federal poverty guidelines.
After your child is treated, you’ll be asked to schedule an appointment with one of our six financial counselors. Your counselor will help you fill out the necessary paperwork for our reduced cost of care program. You’ll be asked to provide proof of your household income and the number of people living in your household. The amount your bill will be reduced depends on where you fall within a sliding pay scale.
Q: How significant can the reductions in the bill be?
A: Reductions can be very significant. For example, a child in an uninsured or underinsured family of four with an annual household income of $77,000 can receive a 99 percent reduction in the cost of any care exceeding $50,000. That means the family would be responsible to pay only $500 on a $50,000 bill.
Q: How do I contact a financial counselor?
A: Financial counselors are available at each LVHHN campus. Some are experts in helping people who have or will receive specialized care. To contact a financial counselor, call the phone number that best relates to your needs.
If you have or will receive care at:
- LVH-Cedar Crest: 610-402-8302
- LVH-17th and Chew: 610-969-2394
- LVH-Muhlenberg: 484-884-2225
If you have or will receive care for cancer:
- 610-402-7849 or 610-402-1075
If you have or will receive a kidney transplant:
- 610-402-8301
If you need help paying for prescription medication:
- 610-402-7669
Q: Are there any services available to help with my child’s preventative care?
A: Yes. Our pediatric clinic at LVH-17th and Chew is a place where thousands of local children receive quality health care on a regular basis. Our reduced cost of care program applies to all the health care services available at the clinic, as well. We never turn a child away because his parents don’t have the ability to pay for care.
Through a state program, uninsured and underinsured children can also receive free immunizations at our clinic. This program allows us to administer more than 2,500 free immunizations every year. All you need to do is call 610-402-CARE to make an appointment.
Q: Are there state programs that provide health insurance to children?
A: Yes, and we can help you take the first step toward getting it. To serve you better, LVHHN has taken on the expense of contracting with Physician and Tactical Healthcare Services (PATHS), a company that helps people find an insurance plan they can afford. We will be the only hospital in the Lehigh Valley to have a PATHS representative assigned to our emergency departments full-time.
These representatives will help you apply for programs like:
- The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) - Pennsylvania’s program to provide quality health insurance for children of working families who otherwise could not afford it. To learn more about CHIP or to apply online, visit www.compass.state.pa.us.
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (better known as the WIC Program) - a federal program that helps low-income women, infants, & children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. WIC provides nutritious foods to supplement diets, and information on healthy eating. For more information, visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic/aboutwic.
This page last updated 1/6/09 02:29 PM
