Offer financial literacy and benefits counseling
Receiving health care is itself a crisis for many, as providers often work with families that worry not only about the health or care of family members but about choosing between food and utilities because of the cost of care.
Establish a financial counseling service that parents can access on-site (while their children are receiving care) to learn about all available benefits and to share their financial concerns.
To get started:
Offer patients the opportunity to work with an on-site financial counselor to address financial obligations compounded by new medical expenses - and as a resource to expand their financial literacy.
Provide an extensive list of local resources that provide financial assistance, such as emergency no-cost loans.
Utilize your your financial counseling initiative to establish a flexible payment schedule and help patients create a budget to accommodate installments.
Best Practices / Innovative Programs
The Commonwealth Fund provides information about obstacles that low-income individuals face when trying to decide whether or not to access medical care
Though not in the United States, this program in Scotland provides financial services through its hospital. Families with children being treated at the Royal Hospital for Children are referred for one-on-one advisement in securing financial gains (such as tax credits and benefits), and managing debt. This initiative is funded by Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity.
