Financial assistance program offers flexibility with medical bills

Black River Memorial Hospital is on a mission to get the word out that there’s a variety of payment plans and financial assistance available to patients who need help. And Shirley Londre is heading this mission.

As a patient financial advocate at the hospital for 26 years, Londre has seen the relief on patients’ faces when she helps them realize that BRMH will work with them and help them through the process.

While patients’ bills include information about the hospital’s financial assistance program for low-income, uninsured, or under-insured patients, Londre emphasizes that BRMH is taking a proactive approach to notifying patients about the available assistance. 

Every morning the hospital runs a report with the names of every person without insurance who had a service performed the previous day, and those people are contacted and informed of the financial assistance program and resources available. Additionally, when a service is scheduled for an uninsured patient, a patient financial advocate will reach out to set up a payment plan in advance, giving the patient some peace of mind. Patients also can request to be connected with an advocate during business hours.

“We really try to work within a patient’s means. We do have policy guidelines, but we try to be as flexible as we can to work within their individual situation,” Londre says. “We’re very creative and very flexible.”

Londre encourages patients to seek whatever financial assistance is available to them. She sees firsthand how grateful patients going through tough times are when they can get the care they need and are not trapped by the financial burden. “It’s a service we are proud to be able to provide to our patients as we know how deep of an impact it can have on them.”

Check your eligibility or fill out an application for Black River Memorial Hospital’s financial assistance programs here.

No one will be denied access to services due to inability to pay. There is a sliding fee schedule available based on family size and income.