Hill Burton Complaints

The program provides information about financial assistance for health care facilities nationwide, which provide services under the Hill-Burton Uncompensated Services Program for people who are eligible under the poverty guidelines. Services include Hill Burton complaints, Hill Burton facilities and specialized information and referral for health issues. Income restrictions apply, however, there are no geographic restrictions. This is a program of last resort.

People may call the hotline to request information about the hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other health care facilities in their area which provide Hill-Burton assistance. The agency also handles complaints about the program.

Eligibility for this program is based on family size and income; family income must meet current federal poverty guidelines. At some facilities, family eligibility may be based on income up to twice the poverty guidelines, and at some nursing homes may be triple the guidelines. Each participating facility decides what types of services it will provide at reduced or no cost.

Applications for assistance may be made before care is given or for past-due bills. People may be denied service if they do not meet the facility's financial guidelines for the program; if the facility has met its obligation for the year for the specified amount of free care; if the requested services are not those the facility has chosen to provide under the program or are services that are covered under Medi-Cal, Medicare, private insurance, or other financial assistance; or if the applicant does not comply with the facility's request to document income or to apply for Medi-Cal, Medicare, or third-party coverage.

The facility must provide the applicant with a written determination of eligibility within certain timeframes. In regards to nursing homes requests made prior to admissions must be made within 10 working days of the request, but no later than 2 working days after admission; requests made after admission, must be made no later than the end of the first full billing cycle following the request. For other facilities, requests made prior to discharge or receipt of outpatient services must be made within 2 working days following the request. Requests made after discharge or receipt of outpatient services must have a determination of eligibility no later than the end of the first full billing cycle following the request.

People may file a complaint regarding a Hill-Burton assisted facility which appears to have denied eligible people free or reduced fee care.