SSM Health Care’s mission calls us to deliver exceptional health care services to everyone who comes to us for care, regardless of their ability to pay. This has always been the case, since we were founded in 1872.

In 2006, we provided nearly 477,000 persons with health care and other services for which we were not compensated.  In 2006 alone, SSM Health Care in St. Louis provided more than $59,600,000 in uncompensated care including charity care, the uncompensated cost of Medicaid, community services and bad debt.

Charity Care Formula

The scale for charity care eligibility runs from a 100% discount for individuals/families at twice the poverty level, to 80% for 2.5 times the poverty level, to 60% for 3 times the poverty level, to 40% for 3.5 times the poverty level, and 20% for 4 times the poverty level. This formula is based on income and number of family members.

For instance, if a single individual’s income is $18,000, which is approximately twice the federal poverty level, he or she would get a 100% discount on care at an SSM facility. A family of four whose income is $75,000 – slightly less than four times the federal poverty level -- would get a 20% discount on hospital services. Even an individual who has health insurance, but whose income is slightly less than four times the poverty level would qualify for a charity discount on any co-pay or deductible.

Exception for Catastrophic Costs

Our policy includes an exception for catastrophic medical costs. If an individual has a catastrophic medical cost, this formula may be waived. 

Notification

Patients are notified about our charity care policy on signs in ERs and registration areas. In addition, brochures and patient bills include information about financial assistance and discounted care. These brochures are available in several languages and can be downloaded at the bottom of this Web page.

Collection Practices

SSM prohibits certain collection practices, including body attachment, excessive phone calls and letters, foreclosures on principal residences, and action that forces bankruptcy.

Billing Policy

To ensure that individuals who do not have health insurance are paying for their health care at a rate that is equitable with other commercial discounts, all SSM Health Care facilities offer discounts for hospital services to all persons without health insurance. These discounts apply to everyone who does not have health insurance, no matter what their ability to pay. The discounts apply to medically necessary hospital services, unless a special discount rate already applies to that service. Additional discounts are offered to persons eligible for additional financial assistance. Applications for financial assistance are available in the admitting and registration areas. Eligibility is determined by the hospital or network business office within 14 days of receipt of a complete application.

Financial Assistance Brochures (English)

SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center

SSM DePaul Health Center

SSM Rehab

SSM St. Joseph Health Center, St. Charles

SSM St. Joseph Hospital West

SSM St. Mary's Health Center

SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood

Financial Assistance Brochures (Foreign Language)

SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center (Vietnamese)
SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center (Bosnian)
SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center (Spanish)

SSM St. Joseph Health Center, St. Charles (Spanish)
SSM St. Joseph Hospital West (Spanish)

SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood (Spanish)

SSM St. Mary's Health Center (Vietnamese)
SSM St. Mary's Health Center  (Bosnian)
SSM St. Mary's Health Center  (Spanish)