Aging is expensive. With the rising cost of living, Medicare limitations, and lower access to healthcare resources, getting older can be financially challenging. A significant portion of what makes aging so expensive is the cost of healthcare. Whether you age at home, long-term care facility, or a retirement community, the financial strain can impact your quality of life. A benefit of living in a community with a not-for-profit health system is that many of these systems offer financial aid programs that help patients pay for the care received at their facilities. Sky Lakes offers a sliding scale financial aid program for services billed by Sky Lakes.
Most seniors live with one or more chronic health conditions. The highest costs to treat chronic conditions is greatest in older adults with lower income. According to the National Council on Aging, 45% of Americans 60+ don’t have enough income to support basic needs and 80% of households with older Americans face financial insecurity. But there are programs out there that can help.
The sliding scale offers help based on annual income and household size. If your household income is within 300% of the current federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify for Sky Lakes to pay 100% of your bill. This means that if you make under $45,000 a year as a household of one ($61,000 for a household of two) you could qualify for full financial aid. If you make more than the maximum income level for 100% assistance, you may still qualify for a portion of assistance through the sliding scale.
In addition to financial aid, Sky Lakes offers a free service that connects uninsured patients with programs that may help them pay for medical care.
To learn more about a hospital’s financial assistance programs, call their billing office or visit their website. You can talk to a Sky Lakes financial counselor about your bill by calling 541-274-6699. You can learn more details about the program and download the application on the Sky Lakes Financial Counseling page.
