Posted: 3/1/2015
Program changes take effect March 1
Parkland Health & Hospital System is implementing a program that will reduce deductibles and co-payments for insured patients who earn less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Beginning March 1, Parkland HEALTHplus (PHP) will become the Parkland Financial Assistance (PFA) program and those currently enrolled in PHP will be moved to the new plan.
Parkland officials will host three town halls in upcoming weeks for patients and community members who may have questions about the PFA program. The town halls will be held:
- Tuesday, March 10, 6 to 7:30 p.m., South Garland Library, 4845 Broadway Blvd., Garland 75043
- Tuesday, March 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Eastfield College Pleasant Grove Campus, 802 S. Buckner Blvd., Dallas 75217
- Tuesday, March 24, 6 to 7:30 p.m., West Dallas Multipurpose Center, 2828 Fish Trap Road, Dallas 75212
“All applicants will undergo a financial screening to determine if there are any programs they qualify for that will help pay for their care,” said Bob Reed, Parkland’s Vice President of Patient Access. “Patients also must provide documents that show their eligibility and apply for all other programs they may be eligible for.”
The program will allow individuals earning less than $23,540 a year or a family of four earning $48,500 a year to have more affordable deductibles, Reed said adding that the PFA program will be a supplement to in-network commercial insurance policies patients select through the Marketplace. Those with out-of-network benefits, meaning commercial plans that do not include Parkland, will not qualify for PFA and will be referred back to their provider network.
Participants must agree to make good faith payments at the time of service based on their ability to pay, Reed said. If a participant does not make the required payments, financial assistance classification may be terminated.
Under the revised PFA program, patients will receive the following services provided they are deemed medically necessary:
- Primary and preventive services
- Inpatient and outpatient services provided at Parkland or at a facility contracted with Parkland
- Physician services at any Parkland facility
- Family planning
- Laboratory and X-ray services provided at a Parkland facility or contracted facility
- Pharmacy services at Parkland that are included on its formulary
“As we transition to the new PFA program we will continue to work with patients to determine their eligibility,” Reed said. “But it’s important that they take an active role in their health care which includes signing up for the Marketplace and paying their monthly premiums.”
For more information on the PFA program visit www.parklandhospital.com/financialassistance or call 214.590.4900.