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Hill-Burton Free Care Program Program Policy
Notice No. 08-02
Facilities Obligated Under the Uncompensated
Services Assurance
Revised Poverty Guidelines
The revised Poverty Guidelines
were issued on January 23, 2008, by the Department
of Health and Human Services. These guidelines
replace the Poverty Guidelines last published
on January 24, 2007. Effective March 23, 2008,
they are to be used in making determinations
of eligibility for uncompensated services. Facilities
certified under one of the uncompensated services
compliance alternatives are not required to
use these guidelines, although they are permitted
to do so.
Facilities located in Puerto Rico, the U.S.
Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the Republic
of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States
of Micronesia, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, and Palau are to use the poverty
guidelines for the "48 Contiguous States
and the District of Columbia."
The guidelines no longer include a definition
of "income;" however, Hill-Burton
facilities are required to use the statistical
definition
of income previously provided in the guidelines.
Further, the guidelines no longer include a
definition of "family;" however, Hill-Burton
facilities are required to use either the statistical
definition
of family previously provided in the guidelines
or formally adopt their own written definition
of family.
However, the definition chosen must be used
consistently in determining eligibility for
uncompensated services. If the facility has
not established its own formal written definition
of "family," it must apply the statistical
definition. To avoid misunderstandings, we recommend
that facilities formally establish their definition
in writing in their operating procedures manual.
For further information, you may contact the
Division of Facilities Compliance and Recovery,
Healthcare Systems Bureau, Health Resource and
Services Administration, Parklawn Building ,
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10-105, Rockville ,
Maryland 20857; telephone (301) 443-5656.
Joyce G. Somsak
Associate Administrator |
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