Financial Assistance

Patient Billing Hotline:

609-653-3717, option 5

Shore Medical Center provides a full-range of healthcare services to our community regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. We recognize that a critical part of providing healthcare services includes mitigating concerns our patients may have related to billing matters. This business philosophy is our commitment to the community, patients and family members we serve. This commitment runs parallel to our not for profit mission and is evidenced by the following proactive measures taken by Shore Medical Center to provide financial assistance to our patients.

Financial Assistance Information

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Shore Medical Center endorses both the American Hospital Association and the New Jersey Hospital Association fair billing and collection guidelines.

For more information:

American Hospital Association Headquarters
One North Franklin Chicago, IL, 60606-3421
Phone: 312-422-3000
Website

New Jersey Hospital Association
760 Alexander Road (PO Box 1) Princeton, NJ, 08543-0001
Phone: 609-275-4000
Website

Self-Pay Discounting Program

Shore Medical Center has a discounting program to assist patients who are least able to pay. The policy is designed to provide financial relief to our self-pay population by reducing the hospital’s standard charge for services rendered. Those who are uninsured, underinsured and do not qualify for assistance under State, Federal or local programs will be eligible for a hospital discounted rate. Qualification under the SMC program will result in a reduction of gross charges to equal 115% or less of the Medicare rate for the provided service. This reduction is as per the NJ State Statute P.L.2008, Chapter 60, approved on August 8, 2008. This reduction results in an amount typically less than what is generally billed to individuals who have insurance coverage based on a review of the relationship between gross charges and the payments for care provided by insured individuals.

State Charity Care Program

The hospital also ensures that all patients receive information pertaining to the State Charity Care Program for the uninsured and under-insured. To inquire about Shore’s Self-Pay Billing and Discount Policy, Charity Care or payment arrangements, contact the Patient Financial Services Credit and Collections Office.

Healthcare for the Uninsured

The State of New Jersey provides a telephone number to the general public for questions related to the New Jersey Department of Health, Health Care for the Uninsured Program.
New Jersey State Department of Health
Call 1-800-367-6543 or write to: Healthcare for the Uninsured Program CN 360 Trenton, NJ, 08625-0360.

Financial Counseling & Screening

Shore Medical Center also offers financial counseling and screening for patients to ensure that any potential third party coverage under other government programs, such as Medicaid, can be identified. This service is provided at no cost to the patient.

The hospital approves payment arrangements for our patients who cannot pay their bills in full. These payment arrangements can be tailored to the individual needs of the patient. We do not charge additional fees in the form of interest for carrying the balances being paid under these arrangements.

The hospital absorbs a significant amount of bad debt annually (balances due by patients that are intentionally not paid), or are incurred as a result of mitigating circumstances, bankruptcy filings and other collection matters.

Collections & Billing Issues

Shore Medical Center pursues collection of balances rightfully owed by patients for services rendered and contracts with third party collection agencies for the purpose of collecting delinquent account balances. The collection agencies operate under the federal fair debt, credit and collection guidelines.

Collection agency activity is closely monitored by the hospital to ensure that patient collection efforts are appropriate and in-line with our customer service philosophy.

All patient complaints regarding dissatisfaction with services rendered or billing issues are handled promptly and in a courteous manner to ensure that customer service remains the focus of any patient concern. All complaints are considered valid and patient feedback is welcome with respect to disputed matters.

Location

Financial Assistance East Tower - located on the 2nd floor of the east tower outside IV Infusion and Endo. This location will assist all our patients who present for services and any walk in patients. This location can handle any type of assistance no matter what the service type.

The Patient Financial Services Department, Insurance Billing Office may be contacted at 609-653-3717.