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DPH: Flexible terms for indigent patients
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Posted on Jan 31 2001
The Department of Public Health yesterday disclosed the implementation of its Medically Indigent Assistance Plan to ensure the delivery of essential medical and health services to patients who do not have the capability to pay for them on one-time basis.
The program helps patients pay medical services through the sliding fee scale program.
According to Public Health Secretary Kevin P. Villagomez, the program is a schedule of discounts that would allow patients to pay a percentage of their bill depending on their financial ability.
Mr. Villagomez explained that MIAP is part of the mission of the health department to provide quality medical care to residents of Northern Marianas regardless of their financial capacity.
The program is established to assist patients whose extenuating circumstances make it difficult to pay for medical services rendered at the Commonwealth Health Center, Public Health Clinics, Family Guidance Center, Rota Health Center, and Tinian Health Center.
Through the program, patients will be allowed to pay a percentage of their bill depending on their financial ability granting that their family income from all sources falls within the levels and family sizes established in the regulation.
“Patients will be billed for his or her portion of medical charges after the appropriate discount rate is deducted from the patient’s share of the medical bill,” the health secretary explained.
Mr. Villagomez advised residents who would wish to avail of the program to visit CHC’s Business Office or the Medicaid Office at the Capitol Hill.
