Charity Care Assistance at Regions Hospital

We see it all the time at Regions: patients who had been living fine on limited salaries and insurance coverage struggle with their basic expenses when they are overcome by an illness or injury. With the economy disrupting the public and private insurance coverage held by many patients, especially the most needy, more and more are relying on special assistance programs to get them through these very tough moments. Without such help, some would have to make the awful choice between paying for medical care expenses, medications and basic needs items for themselves and their families.

Charitable contributions have allowed Regions to offer assistance to patients during their times of greatest need. One patient had to take time away from work due to her cancer treatment and fell behind on her mortgage. She received assistance with a payment and is now back at work. An Emergency Center patient had just started a new job when he visited the ER and had to wait for health insurance to kick in to pay for his expensive medications. He received assistance with seven doses to get him through the interim. Without the aid, he may have experienced a more serious health condition, including a heart attack.

Regions has a history of caring for the needy, but cuts to government programs have made it more difficult

Regions Hospital has a proud tradition of offering the best care to all patients, including the needy, but our ability to offer special assistance programs to the most vulnerable is being tested during these tough economic times. Regions is the largest provider of charity care in the East Metro and the second largest in Minnesota. In 2010, Regions provided $24.8 million in actual costs for charity care (the total for 2009 was $18.4 million). Historically, the Minnesota state government has partnered in these efforts by funding programs that serve the uninsured and underinsured. Unfortunately, cuts made to healthcare programs during the last few legislative sessions have disproportionally affected the most vulnerable populations in our community.

Help us assist our patients during their times of greatest need

We need charitable support to fund special programs that assist low-income patients with their medications, transportation to medical appointments and basic needs items such as food, clothing, and housing expenses. Your gift will help patients overcome the temporary financial setbacks caused by their illness or injury and make the community a healthier place to live.