What if I don't have insurance coverage? The Squirrel Hill Health Center will provide you with full healthcare services whether or not you have health insurance. Do I still have to pay out of pocket? Yes, but this payment is based on need and ability to pay. Patients are billed according to the Sliding Fee Scale if they are eligible for a discount. You may be eligible if you fall under one of the following financial situations. This scale is based on PRE-TAX INCOME, not take home pay. Household Size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Annual Income $20,800 $28,000 $35,200 $42,400 $49,600 $56,800 $64,000 $71,200 Please note that you will not even be considered for a discounted rate until you have completed the sliding fee scale application. What is the Sliding Fee Scale? The discount applied to medical bills for patients without insurance depends upon each individual's ability to pay. The "sliding fee scale" allows us to determine a fair discounted rate based on income, number of dependants, and other factors. We evaluate each patient based on need by conforming to federal expectations. It is expected that each patient take some responsibility for his or her healthcare. The minimum discounted rate is $15, but your financial status may require a higher payment. How can I get evaluated? You will either receive a sliding fee scale application in the mail prior to your first visit or you can pick up an application at your first office visit. You can also download the application by clicking here. Between the time of your first visit and when your financial evaluation is complete, you will be expected to pay the minimum fee of $15 per visit. Your final balance for any services rendered during the application process may exceed the $15 fee, depending on what discount rate you receive. Payment is expected at time of service. You have 30 days to complete this paperwork. After you have submitted your completed application, our billing specialist will evaluate your case to determine if you are eligible for the sliding fee scale. What can I expect after I turn in my completed application? If you are eligible for our sliding fee scale discount, you will be notified by mail by our billing specialist. Whatever level of discount you qualify for will be applied to all prior and future medical bills. If you are ineligible for our sliding fee scale, you will not receive any discounts on your medical bills and will be expected to pay the full price of services rendered. In either case, our billing specialist will be happy to speak with you about your unique financial situation and how we can best serve your specific medical and economic needs. What if the sliding fee application seems like "too much work"? We can't evaluate your financial situation unless you complete the application. You will be charged the full amount of all medical services you receive if you do not fill out this application. Staff members are available to help you complete this paperwork if necessary. What if I can't afford to pay my full balance? The Squirrel Hill Health Center offers an interest free monthly payment plan to any patient, regardless of financial status. You will need to speak with our billing specialist to set up a payment plan that works best for you. The payment plan is a contractual agreement that you must sign. If you cannot make one of your monthly payments, you must call the center and we will try our best to accommodate you. If you simply fail to make one of your monthly payments, you will automatically forfeit your budget plan and be expected to pay your balance in full.