Norton Healthcare Revamps Patient Financial Assistance Program

Families whose household income was equal to or less than 350% of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for aid.

Norton Healthcare—a Louisville, Kentucky-based healthcare provider with over 340 locations throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana and over $1 billion in total patient revenue—has announced it is expanding its patient financial assistance program.

Before the change, families whose household income was equal to or less than 300% of the federal poverty guidelines were eligible for Norton Healthcare's financial assistance program. Now, that income level has increased to 350% of the federal poverty guidelines. For example, a family of four with a combined household income of up to $105,000 now could be eligible for financial assistance. Another key change to the program is that individuals can now apply for assistance before they need medical assistance. Previously, patients and families would complete an application after receiving treatment, including after an emergency.

"By providing this proactive approach to our financial assistance program, families across the region can put their health first without the burden of worrying about the financial aspects at the point of care," Russell Cox, president, and CEO of Norton Healthcare said in a release. "Everyone in our community deserves access to quality health care. We are committed to creating initiatives and programs that remove barriers and work toward eliminating challenges for those seeking care."