Financial Assistance for Healthcare Costs
Financial Assistance
At UnityPoint Health, we’re here for you every step of the way. Our health system provides patient care to a growing number of uninsured and underinsured patients. Patients are responsible for a greater burden of their healthcare costs through growing out-of-pocket deductibles many health insurance plans, including Medicare, have implemented. Many patients also lack the financial resources to secure health insurance.
UnityPoint Health has financial policies to seek fair and equitable payment from patients based on their ability to pay. We also assist patients who can’t reasonably pay for some, or all, of the care they receive.
UnityPoint Health plain language summary, financial assistance policy, financial assistance application and billing collections policy:
Please choose from the links below to download the UnityPoint Health plain language summary, financial assistance policy, financial assistance application and billing collections policy.
| Plain Language Summary | Financial Assistance Policy |
|---|---|
| Financial Assistance Application | Billing Collections Policy |
|---|---|
Please choose from the links below to download the UnityPoint Health – Meriter plain language summary, financial assistance policy, financial assistance application and billing collections policy.
| Plain Language Summary | Financial Assistance Policy |
|---|---|
| Financial Assistance Application | Billing Collections Policy |
|---|---|
Annual Income Guidelines
The following table shows the income guidelines for a family's annual earnings that may determine eligibility for Financial Assistance.
Patients of Meriter Hospital and Clinics: special circumstances may apply. Contact the Meriter Financial Assistance team for additional information.
| Family Size | 200% | 225% | 250% | 300% | 400% | 600% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $30,120 | $33,885 | $37,650 | $45,180 | $60,240 | $90,360 |
| 2 | $40,880 | $45,990 | $51,100 | $61,320 | $81,760 | $122,640 |
| 3 | $51,640 | $58,095 | $64,550 | $77,460 | $103,280 | $154,920 |
| 4 | $62,400 | $70,200 | $78,000 | $93,600 | $124,800 | $187,200 |
| 5 | $73,160 | $82,305 | $91,450 | $109,740 | $146,320 | $219,480 |
| 6 | $83,920 | $94,410 | $104,900 | $125,880 | $167,840 | $251,760 |
| 7 | $94,680 | $106,515 | $118,350 | $142,020 | $189,360 | $284,040 |
| 8 | $105,440 | $118,620 | $131,800 | $158,160 | $210,880 | $316,320 |
| Add per each additional person | $10,760 | $12,105 | $13,450 | $16,140 | $21,520 | $32,280 |
Financial Counselors
We understand healthcare bills and insurance claims can be overwhelming and confusing. Uninsured or underinsured patients may consult with a patient financial counselor to discuss payment options regarding their healthcare costs.
Financial Counselor Availability by Location
| Location | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Anamosa | 319-369-7975 |
| Cedar Rapids | 319-369-7975 |
| Des Moines | 515-241-6277 |
| Dubuque | 563-557-2827 |
| Fort Dodge | 515-574-6633 |
| Grinnell | 641-236-2362 |
| Madison | 608-417-5035 |
| Marshalltown | 641-328-7498 |
| Quad Cities | 309-779-2910 |
| Sioux City | 712-279-1845 |
| Waterloo | 319-235-3737 |
Medication Assistance Program
We have a team of medication assistance advocates who may provide assistance with your infusion drugs, specialty medications and some brand name medications. For more information, please email us at UPH_MedicationAssistanceAdvocates@unitypoint.org or call a location below.
Medication Assistance Advocates by Location
| Location | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Sioux City | 319-251-7128 |
| Des Moines, Grinnell | 515-343-4581 |
| Waterloo, Marshalltown | 319-888-7972 |
| Quad Cities & Muscatine | 309-430-2104 |
| Quad Cities & Muscatine (infusion) | 309-430-2158 |
| Madison | 608-417-7035 |
| UnityPoint at Home Specialty Pharmacy | 877-851-7026 |
| Program Supervisor | 309-672-4448 |
Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
The purpose of SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) is to provide free, unbiased counseling to Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers about Medicare, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D), Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C), Medicare supplement plans and other supplemental insurance, billing and claims issues, Medicare fraud and abuse.
This service is provided by trained volunteers whose goal is to serve Medicare beneficiaries by assisting them to make insurance decision-making easier, provide information to compare Medicare and insurance plans, assist with enrolling in Medicare prescription drug plans and assistance programs and understanding the bills they receive for their healthcare. Counselors provide one-to-one assistance in a confidential setting. These counselors are not affiliated with any insurance, financial planning or pharmaceutical industries. The volunteers are trained and ready to answer questions and provide impartial information to help seniors make well-informed decisions.
- I'm retiring. What kind of health insurance do I need?
- I can't make sense of my Medicare statements and medical bills. What do I do next?
- Do I need a Medicare supplement policy?
- How can I help my parents with health insurance?
- There's an error on my bill. What did I do?
- Going on Medicare
- Age 65 or older and on Medicare
- On Medicare because of a disability, end stage renal disease or Lou Gehrig's disease.
Medicare Part D Open Enrollment
Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment occurs yearly from October 15 – December 7. This is the annual period during which Medicare plan enrollees can reevaluate their coverage — whether it's original Medicare with drug coverage, or Medicare Advantage — and make changes if they’d like. Changes go into effect on January 1.