We know that when you or someone you love needs hospital care, worrying about financial issues can be particularly stressful. But if you don't have insurance or your insurance doesn't cover all the costs, there are many federal and state sources of financial assistance that may be available to you. Eligibility requirements and the application process may be different depending upon the program. That's why it's important that you meet with a financial counselor as soon as possible to learn more about what is right for you. Don't worry, the staff of the Financial Counseling Department is here to help you every step of the way and our services are always free!

Financial Assistance Programs

We specialize in the four major programs that are available to help New Jersey residents. Eligibility for these programs depends upon your family's income and other assets and you will need to provide documents that show how much money you have, etc. When you meet with one of our financial counselors, he/she will provide you with a detailed list of what you need to do or provide.

MEDICAID:
For our patients' convenience, we have arranged with Essex County to station a County worker at University Hospital to process eligible Essex County inpatient Mothers and Babies NON-TANF (Temporary Aid for Needy Families) Medicaid applications. The Essex County representative will work directly with you to ensure your application is complete and accurate.

To help patients who live outside of Essex County, the Hospital has contracted with an approved company, Chamberlin Edmonds, to be onsite to assist with their Medicaid applications. Chamberlin Edmonds will also assist Essex County residents who are applying for TANF Medicaid.

SSI-MEDICAID:
This is a program that supplements Medicaid benefits with a monthly income stipend that can help with basic needs such as food, clothing or housing. The Hospital has contracted with Chamberlin Edmonds to be onsite to assist inpatients who meet the eligibility criteria with the application process.

FAMILY CARE:
This program is designed to provide coverage for children. Staff from the hospital's Financial Counseling Department will assist you in completing the application. The application is then forwarded to the County Board of Social Services or the State vendor in Trenton for processing. You will hear directly from the processing agency regarding the status of your application.

PRESUMPTIVE ELIGIBILTY – MEDICAID
This program provides temporary coverage for persons who meet some basic eligibility criteria so that their healthcare costs can be covered while the formal Medicaid or Family Care application is processed. It provides 45 days of coverage from the initial date of the application.

CHARITY CARE:
Unlike Medicaid and Family Care, which provides ongoing coverage for healthcare services, including physician services and drugs, Charity Care is designed to provide assistance to cover the costs of hospital services only. In order to apply for Charity Care, you must have a scheduled appointment in the hospital within 30 days and have been registered in the hospital's computer system or have received a hospital bill within the last 12 months.

Staff from the Financial Counseling Department will assist you with the application. The application will be forwarded to the hospital's Patient Accounts department and a decision about your eligibility will be made within 10 business days.

Contact Us, We can Help

For more information on any of these programs or questions on how you may apply, please contact any of the following:

Beverly Cobb, Manager
973-972-7772

Mia Harris, Supervisor
973-972-7774

Essex County Onsite Medicaid Worker
973-972-4046

Chamberlin Edmonds & Associates
973-972-7071