Financial Assistance Program Guidelines
In keeping with our mission, the hospitals of the Community Healthcare System are committed to providing medically necessary healthcare to everyone, regardless of the ability to pay. Our Helping Hand Financial Assistance Program is one of the options we offer to ensure that the cost of healthcare is not a barrier to patients in need.
Patients are encouraged to communicate with the hospital's Financial Counselors if they do not have healthcare benefits or qualify for government programs that would cover the cost of medically necessary services. Our Financial Counselors can help patients complete the necessary forms to request financial assistance to pay hospital bills.
- Community Hospital, St. Catherine Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center are Medicaid enrollment centers. Financial Counselors will help you to enroll. If you would like to enroll on your own, click on the link provided and follow the instructions: Apply for Indiana Medicaid http://www.in.gov/FSSA/3030.htm
Financial Assistance Documents
- Financial Assistance Plain Language Summary
- Financial Assistance Plain Language Summary (Spanish Version)
- Basis for Calculating Charged Amounts to Patients
- Basis for Calculating Charged Amounts to Patients (Spanish Version)
- Financial Assistance Application
- Financial Assistance Application (Spanish Version)
- Financial Assistance Policy PA 7.11.6
- Financial Assistance Policy PA 7.11.6 (Spanish Version)
- Providers Not Covered under CHS FAP
- Providers Not Covered under CHS FAP (Spanish Version)
Helping Hand Financial Assistance Program
The Helping Hand Financial Assistance Program offered by the hospitals of the Community Healthcare System help patients pay for medically necessary healthcare services. Some patients will be eligible for free care (100% discount) and some may have to pay a small portion. If you are interested in applying for government funding or the Community Healthcare System Helping Hand Financial Assistance Program, please click here to print out a copy of the application.Below is a chart showing the 2019 Federal Poverty Level guidelines and the discounts offered by Community Hospital, St. Catherine Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center. Please note that this chart represents the income guidelines for True Self Pay/Uninsured.
| True Self Pay | 2019 Poverty Guidelines | ||||
| Household Size | Up to 200% | 201% - 250% | 251% - 300% | Over 300% | |
| 12,490 | 1 | 24,980 | 31,225 | 37,470 | 37,471 |
| 16,910 | 2 | 33,820 | 42,275 | 50,730 | 50,731 |
| 21,330 | 3 | 42,660 | 53,325 | 63,990 | 63,991 |
| 25,750 | 4 | 51,500 | 64,375 | 77,250 | 77,251 |
| 30,170 | 5 | 60,340 | 75,425 | 90,510 | 90,511 |
| 34,590 | 6 | 69,180 | 86,475 | 103,770 | 103,771 |
| 39,010 | 7 | 78,020 | 97,525 | 117,030 | 117,031 |
| 43,430 | 8 | 86,860 | 108,575 | 130,290 | 130,291 |
| 47,850 | 9 | 95,700 | 119,625 | 143,550 | 143,551 |
| 52,270 | 10 | 104,540 | 130,675 | 156,810 | 156,811 |
| 56,690 | 11 | 113,80 | 141,725 | 170,070 | 170,071 |
Self-Pay/Prompt Pay Discount Program
Patients who do not have healthcare insurance and whose family income exceeds 300% of the Federal Poverty Level may be eligible for the Self-Pay/Prompt Pay Discount Program. Community Hospital, St. Catherine Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center offer a 30% discount to any true self-pay account at the time of final billing. A prompt pay discount of 10% will be applied, if payment is made at time of service.
Self-Pay/Prompt Pay Discount Program does not apply to:
- Patient portion not covered by insurance, if an insurance discount has already been allowed.
- Accounts with health benefits coverage.
- Accounts that are applied to the insurance deductible.
- Accounts that became self-pay due to insurance denial due to patient/insured negligence.
- Cosmetic surgery packages.
- Accounts that have been sent to a collection agency.
Our Self-Pay/Prompt Pay Discount Program applies only to inpatient, outpatient or Emergency Department services and is not applicable to professional fees or fees for services performed by any physician.
Community Healthcare System's provision of charity care is voluntary and discretionary. All applications are kept completely confidential.
Here to Help
Our Financial Counselors are available seven days a week to assist you. Please call to make an appointment to ensure prompt services, especially in the evenings. We also see patients on a walk-in basis at Community Hospital and the Patient Financial Services office for the Community Healthcare System.
Financial Counselors
Community Hospital
901 MacArthur Blvd., Munster, IN
877-785-6060; M – F 8 am – 8:30 pm
St. Catherine Hospital
4321 Fir St., East Chicago, IN
877-785-6060; M – F 8 am – 8:30 pm
St. Mary Medical Center
1500 S. Lake Park Ave., Hobart, IN
877-785-6060; M – F 8 am – 8:30 pm
Community Healthcare System
10020 Donald S. Powers Dr., Munster, IN
219-934-8888 or 800-210-9776
Monday - Friday 8 am- 5:30 pm; Saturday, 9 am – 1 pm
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