To relieve financial stress during your hospital stay, the Financial Counseling office can help you with coverage   and payment information.   The office can estimate the cost of your hospital care at Saint Vincent Health Center and compare to your verified insurance benefits. It is important to note that most insurance policies, including Medicare, have deductibles or co-payments that must be covered by the patient for hospitalization. You can talk with your nurse to request a meeting with a financial counselor to discuss payment options. 

Those who are uninsured may benefit from an application for state medical assistance.  An interview with a Saint Vincent financial counselor can be arranged during your stay.  Our business office will continue to assist you to complete the application after discharge.  If you entered the hospital as the result of an urgent admission, either through the emergency department or by doctor's order, a financial counselor can work with a family member to make sure you receive the maximum coverage from your insurance benefits. It is important that either you or a family member bring your identification and health insurance cards to the hospital so we can verify your insurance coverage promptly and efficiently. 

Payment of Bills
Any money you may owe because of deductibles or uncovered expenses is generally requested before your admission or early in your stay. These bills should be paid in full by the time of your discharge. If you would like to make payment arrangements  or obtain financial assistance information, please request  a counselor to stop by your room to discuss your  situation and the options available to you.   

Online Bill Pay
In an effort to make dealing with medical bills easier, Saint Vincent now offers convenient, online payment services that are easy to use, fast and secure. You can make a simple, one-time payment or create an online account that will allow you to securely save personal information for future use, make multiple payments, view balance updates and manage multiple accounts. Online bill pay is available for patients who have had services at Saint Vincent with bills that are payable to "Saint Vincent Health Center." Click here to learn more about our online bill pay services.  

We also offer a service called mySV for patients of Saint Vincent primary care and specialty physician practices. mySV is a secure, convenient and personal way to manage your health care and communicate directly with your Saint Vincent doctor's office online. This feature allows you to pay bills from your doctor’s office online as well. Click here to learn more about mySV.  

Availability of Financial Arrangements
Saint Vincent strives to help patients with financial burdens.  A variety of payment options are available to patients who request assistance managing account balances.   Patients without healthcare insurance may benefit from a state Medicaid application.  A counselor will assist you to determine if a Medicaid application is the most appropriate first step for your financial situation.   As not all uninsured patients qualify for state medical coverage, the Saint Vincent Community Care Program provides another avenue for financial assistance. 

Community Care Policy At Saint Vincent Health Center
At Saint Vincent Health Center it is our mission to provide medically necessary treatment and service to all persons, regardless of their ability to pay for care. This mission is communicated to patients and their family members through signs posted in the Health Center and, wherever possible, by financial counselors. The Community Care Program has been developed to assist patients in financial need, due to a lack of health insurance coverage, with their accounts at Saint Vincent.  The financial application is designed to verify the need for assistance and is entirely confidential. Patients are asked to record their sources of income, bank savings and outline their expenses.  Proof is provided with the application to support the information given. 

Interested patients can contact a hospital representative for questions and application assistance.    The information in the  Saint Vincent Community Care  Program brochure may help you determine if  you or your family member may qualify for partial or full  assistance for Health System accounts.  

Download Saint Vincent Community Care Policy brochure 

Questions About Your Bill
If you have any questions about your hospital bill, insurance or a reimbursement amount, please call our Customer Service department at (814) 452-5011, or toll free at 1-877-278-4396.  Representatives are available to assist you with information, payment and application options weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 pm.