Code of Massachusetts Regulations
114 CMR - DIVISION OF HEALTH CARE FINANCE AND POLICY
Title 114.6 CMR 10.00 - CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR FREE CARE AT ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS AND FREESTANDING COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
Section 10.06 - Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Universal Citation: 114.6 CMR 10.00 MA Code of Regs 10.06
Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(1) Patient Rights. Hospitals and Community Health Centers must advise patients of the following rights to:
(a) apply for Free Care within one year of
determining the patient's financial liability at a Hospital, or within 90 days
of determining the patient's financial liability at a Community Health Center,
unless the Hospital or Community Health Center can document continuous
collection action or patient payments during the intervening time,
(b) a payment plan, as described in 114.6 CMR
10.05, if the patient is determined to be eligible for partial Free Care or
Medical Hardship,
(c) a written
notice of the eligibility decision within 30 days of completion of a written
Free Care application and submission of the required supporting
documentation,
(d) notice of the
right to file a grievance pursuant to 114.6 CMR 10.07, and
(e) file a grievance as outlined in 114.6 CMR
10.07 of an eligibility or scope of services determination.
(2) Patient Responsibilities.
(a) to provide
all necessary documentation,
(b) to
inform the Provider of changes in Family Income and insurance status,
(c) to track the patient Deductible and
provide documentation to the Hospital or Community Health Center that the
Deductible has been reached when more than one Family member is approved for
Free Care or if the patient or Family members are approved for Free Care at
more than one Hospital or Community Health Center.
(3) Other.
(a) A Hospital or Community Health Center
shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,
citizenship, alienage, religion, creed, sex, sexual preference, age, or
disability, in its policies, or in its application of policies, concerning the
acquisition and verification of financial information, pre-admission or
pretreatment deposits, payment plans, deferred or rejected admissions, or
eligibility for Free Care.
(b) A
Hospital or Community Health Center or agent thereof shall not seek legal
execution against the personal residence or motor vehicle of a patient or
Guarantor without the express approval of the Hospital's or Community Health
Center's Board of Trustees. All approvals by the Board must be made on an
individual case basis.
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