Financial assistance options
Aurora Health provides comprehensive support to help patients manage the costs of medical procedures, including access to financial assistance programs and personalized payment options. Key cost components typically included in the procedure fee are facility charges, provider fees, and basic medical supplies. However, some expenses such as anesthesia, pathology, or follow-up care may not be included. To avoid unexpected charges, patients are encouraged to request detailed, itemized cost estimates before their procedure and discuss available financial assistance with a Financial Advocate.
Cost Breakdown
- Facility charges (e.g., use of hospital or clinic)
- Provider fees (physician, surgeon, or specialist)
- Basic medical supplies and equipment
- Note: Additional services like anesthesia, laboratory, pathology, or imaging may be billed separately.
Associated Costs to Consider
- Pre-procedure testing (laboratory, imaging)
- Anesthesia or sedation fees
- Post-procedure follow-up visits
- Prescription medications
- Specialized medical equipment for recovery, if needed
Insurance & Payment Advice
- Contact your insurance provider to confirm coverage for the procedure and determine your out-of-pocket responsibility.
- Ask for pre-authorization if required by your insurance plan.
- Request an itemized estimate from the provider to clarify all expected charges.
- Explore financial assistance programs such as Medicaid, Veterans Affairs, or Crime Victim Compensation if eligible.
- Discuss payment plans or sliding scale fees with a Financial Advocate if you anticipate difficulty paying your bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What financial assistance programs are available for medical procedures?
- Aurora offers several financial assistance options, including state medical assistance, Veterans Affairs benefits, and compensation programs for eligible patients. A Financial Advocate can help determine which programs you qualify for.
- Which costs are typically included in the procedure fee?
- Procedure fees usually cover facility and provider charges, and basic medical supplies. However, anesthesia, lab work, and follow-up care may be billed separately.
- How can I get an estimate for my procedure?
- You can request an itemized cost estimate from your healthcare provider or a Financial Advocate before your procedure to understand all potential charges.
- What if I am uninsured or underinsured?
- If you lack sufficient insurance coverage, speak with a Financial Advocate about eligibility for financial assistance or payment plans to help manage your out-of-pocket costs.
- Will my insurance cover all procedure costs?
- Coverage varies by insurance plan. Contact your insurer to verify what is covered and to clarify your deductible, co-payment, and co-insurance responsibilities.
- Are there payment plans available?
- Yes, Aurora offers flexible payment options for patients who need help managing their medical bills. A Financial Advocate can provide details and help set up a plan.
- Can I apply for assistance before my procedure?
- Yes, it is recommended to discuss financial assistance options and complete any necessary applications prior to your scheduled procedure.
- What documents will I need to apply for financial assistance?
- Typically, you’ll need proof of income, insurance information, household size, and other financial details. A Financial Advocate can provide a full list based on the program.
- Who can help me understand my medical bill?
- Financial Advocates are available to review your bill, explain charges, and discuss payment or assistance options with you.
- Are follow-up visits and prescriptions included in the quoted fee?
- Follow-up visits and prescriptions are often billed separately. Ask for an itemized estimate to see which services are included and which will incur additional charges.
At Aurora, it’s our mission to help you live well. That means helping you achieve your best health in every area of your life – from your physical and emotional health to your financial health as well.
Financial health means understanding the cost of your health care services. It also means having access to the plans, programs, and financial assistance options that are right for you.
If you want to learn more about your financial assistance options, contact one of our friendly Financial Advocates for a free, personalized financial assessment.
During the assessment, your Advocate will:
- Identify your unique health care needs
- Assist with understanding potential cost of medical treatment
- Discuss your financial assistance options
Call 800-326-2250 to speak with one of our Financial Advocates today.
Payment options
If you need medical attention but are worried you can’t afford it, speak with a Financial Advocate to see if you qualify for financial assistance.
Many of our patients have found medical financial assistance through programs like:
Wisconsin Medical Assistance From health to nutrition to childcare, this program offers medical assistance to minor children, pregnant women, families with children, and childless adults. There is also help available for blind, elderly and disabled individuals.
Veterans Affairs Medical Benefits Veterans Health Administration helps eligible veterans get the benefits they need.
Crime Victim Compensation Program If you’ve been the victim of a crime, there is coverage available to help with your medical expenses.
Affordable Care Act Shop for your health insurance through the marketplace. Based on your family’s size and income, you may be eligible for premium assistance or tax subsidies to assist with the cost of your health insurance premiums.
Financial assistance
Our financial assistance program is designed to assist people who are within a certain income range. You can get the quality Aurora care you deserve – no matter what life throws your way.
Am I eligible for financial assistance?
You’re eligible to apply for financial assistance if you:
- Live in Wisconsin or another Aurora service area
- Are an established Aurora patient
- Have already tried to get financial assistance from other sources, such as Federal, state or local programs or grants, or have tried to get help privately
Please note that patients eligible for financial assistance will not be charged more than amounts generally billed for emergency and other medically necessary care.
Which medical services are covered?
We are committed to helping those in medical need. That’s why we cover medically necessary services related to an illness or injury.
Please note that financial assistance does not cover elective, preventative, or routine medical services.
In addition to the criteria mentioned above, eligibility for our financial assistance program is based on certain income guidelines:
| Family size | Federal poverty level | 100% discount income below |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,060 | $45,180 |
| 2 | $20,440 | $61,320 |
| 3 | $25,820 | $77,460 |
| 4 | $31,200 | $93,600 |
| 5 | $36,580 | $109,740 |
| 6 | $41,960 | $125,880 |
| 7 | $47,340 | $142,020 |
| 8 | $52,720 | $158,160 |
Please note: You must apply for financial assistance within 240 days of your first billing statement. The guidelines are not intended to discourage anyone from seeking medical care. This is not a health insurance program, and there are limitations to the services that are eligible.
Discount programs
Uninsured discount
Uninsured patients will receive a 50% discount off gross charges on all medically necessary services. The uninsured discount is available to all uninsured patients and is applied automatically, so no action is needed by the patient to receive the discount.
Catastrophic assistance
Patients who are not eligible for financial assistance but who have incurred very large balances may apply for a catastrophic discount. The catastrophic assistance program is available to assist patients who have had a catastrophic medical event that resulted in very large medical bills in comparison to their household income.
Take the next step
If you have questions about medical financial assistance or are ready to speak with a Financial Advocate, call 800-326-2250. Financial Advocates are also located in all of our hospitals and many of our clinics. Ask any of our teammates where to locate the Financial Advocate most convenient for you.
Plain language summary
- Plain Language Summary of our Financial Assistance Policy (English) [PDF]
- ملخص سياسة المساعدة المالية بلغة مُبسط ة (Arabic) [PDF]
- Resumen en lenguaje sencillo de la Política de asistencia financiera (Spanish) [PDF]
- Txoj Cai Hais Txog Kev Pab Cuam Nyiaj Txiag Cov Lus Xaus Ntsiab Lus Hom Lus Yooj Yim (Hmong) [PDF]
- Podsumowanie zasadach pomocy finansowej w zrozumiałym języku (Polish) [PDF]
- Краткое изложение Политики финансовой помощи на понятном языке (Russian) [PDF]
- 财政援助政策简明语言摘要 (Simplified Chinese) [PDF]
- 經濟援助政策簡明語言摘要 (Traditional Chinese) [PDF]
Financial assistance policy
- Financial Assistance Policy (English) [PDF]
- سياسة المساعدة المالية ة (Arabic) [PDF]
- Política de asistencia financiera (Spanish) [PDF]
- Txoj Cai Hais Txog Kev Pab Cuam Nyiaj Txiag (Hmong) [PDF]
- Zasadach pomocy finansowej (Polish) [PDF]
- Политики финансовой помощи (Russian) [PDF]
- 财政援助政策 (Simplified Chinese) [PDF]
- 經濟援助政策 (Traditional Chinese) [PDF]
Financial assistance application
- Financial Assistance Application (English) [PDF]
- طلب المساعدة المالي ة (Arabic) [PDF]
- Solicitud para asistencia financiera (Spanish) [PDF]
- Daim Ntawv Thov Kev Pab Cuam Nyiaj Txiag (Hmong) [PDF]
- Заявление на получение финансовой помощи (Russian) [PDF]
- 經濟援助申請 (Simplified Chinese) [PDF]
- 财政援助申请 (Traditional Chinese) [PDF]
More information
Check out our Participating Provider’s list [PDF] for Aurora’s Financial Assistance Program.
You can also view our complete Collection Policy by clicking here. [PDF]
Get more information about Aurora’s Financial Assistance Policy by calling 800-326-2250 (Option 6), or by writing to:
Financial Assistance, P.O. Box 909996, Milwaukee, WI 53209-0996
