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Financial Aid & Insurance

If you do not have health insurance or worry that you may not be able to pay in full for your care, we can help. Catholic Health hospitals provide financial aid to patients based on their income, assets, and needs.

We also may be able to help you with information on free or low-cost health insurance, or work with you to arrange a manageable payment plan.

It is important that you let us know if you will have trouble paying your bill. Federal and State laws require all hospitals to seek full payment for what they bill patients. This means we may have to turn unpaid or ignored bills over to a collection agency. We want to work with you to make sure this does not happen.

For information about billing procedures, please click on the hospital at which you received care:

• Kenmore Mercy Hospital
• Mercy Hospital of Buffalo
• Sisters of Charity Hospital
• Sisters of Charity Hospital, St. Joseph Campus

Healthcare Assistance Program (HAP)

The Catholic Health Heathcare Assistance Program allows persons to receive medically necessary services at no charge or reduced charge, if they are eligible, at Catholic Health facilities. It is not an insurance program.

HAP covers the cost of healthcare "forgiven" by Catholic Health hospitals and services for people who are unable (through private payment, employer payment, or public aid) to pay for healthcare services, or people unable to get healthcare because of limited resources, inadequate education, or discrimination. This program does not apply to Catholic Health long-term care and home care programs.

Who is eligible?

HAP is primarily for Erie and Niagara county residents. Residents of other counties may participate if a similar program is not available in their area. Participants must meet the program’s income requirements, and have savings and/or investments under certain amounts set by Catholic Health. These requirements are based on poverty guidelines and change each year. Copies of these guidelines can be obtained by calling a Catholic Health financial counseling representative at (716) 601-3600. These guidelines can also be found in all hospital admissions areas.

Who is not eligible?

You are NOT eligible if:

• Your income exceeds income guidelines
• You already have health insurance
• You have Medicare and are over 65 years old
• You are eligible for Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or Family Health Plus

What is not covered?

The Catholic Health Healthcare Assistance Program does have limits to what it will cover. Please read this information carefully:

• HAP will NOT cover services provided more than three months before the date the program application is received. If you do not make payment arrangements for services received prior to that time, you will not be eligible for the program.
• This program does NOT cover doctor fees, even if that doctor’s office is located at one of our hospitals. Only physician fees/services at our hospital-operated primary care sites are covered.
• If our sites do not provide the type of service you need, you may be referred to private specialists. Services provided by these specialists are NOT covered.
• Cosmetic surgery is NOT covered.
• Charges for medical equipment and supplies are NOT covered.
• Physician services such as radiology, anesthesia, emergency room physicians, consulting visits, or any private provider are not covered. For these services, you will need to make private/separate payment arrangements.

How can I get additional information about this program?

If you would like additional information about our Healthcare Assistance Program or would like to begin the application process, please call (716) 601-3600.

Health Insurance Programs

Medicaid is a program for New York State residents who cannot afford to pay for medical care. People may be covered by Medicaid if they have high medical bills, receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or if they meet certain income, resource, age or disability requirements. For more information, contact your county’s Department of Social Services.

Child Health Plus is a health insurance plan for children under the age of 19. Children must be residents of New York State. There are two programs: Child Health Plus A or Child Health Plus B. Family income will determine which program a child may qualify for. Children who are not eligible for Child Health Plus A can enroll in Child Health Plus B if they do not already have health insurance and are not eligible for coverage under the public employees’ state health benefits plan. For more information call (800) 698-4543.

Family Health Plus is a public health insurance program for adults between the ages of 19 and 64 who do not have health insurance – either on their own or through their employers – but have incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid. Family Health Plus is available to single adults, couples without children, and parents with limited income. Members must be resident of New York State and United States citizens, or fall under one of many immigration categories. For information, call (877) 9FH-PLUS or (877) 934-7587.

Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) is a New York State-sponsored prescription plan for senior citizens who need help paying for their prescriptions. New York State residents can join EPIC if they are 65 or older and meet income requirements. EPIC members will be required to pay fees, deductibles, or co-payments. Seniors who receive full Medicaid benefits or have other prescription coverage that is better than EPIC are not eligible. EPIC will not pay for medication dispensed by a Catholic Health pharmacy. For an application, call (800) 332-3742.

Other Insurance Options

To learn which insurance options are available to you, use the search tool below.

More Information

Call (716) 601-3600 and ask for one of our financial counseling representatives. They will treat your questions with confidentiality and courtesy.