Free & Charity Care

We are available to our community 24 hours a day for emergency care. We provide this care to all in need, regardless of your ability to pay.

If you are unable to pay for medical care, SOMC participates in the Ohio Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP), which provides free basic medically necessary care to eligible patients. We also provide charity care to patients who are unable to pay through our SOMC Caring Program. We can assist you in applying for these programs.

Ohio Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP)

The Hospital Assurance Program (HCAP) provides free basic, medically necessary, care to eligible patients. Patients who wish to apply for this program must be voluntary residents of the state of Ohio, with intent to remain in the state. They must also be at or below the federal poverty guidelines.

Coverage is limited to basic medically necessary hospital level services. These are defined as all inpatient and outpatient services covered under the Medicaid Program.

To apply for this program, patients must complete an application form and submit it to the SOMC Financial Assistance Coordinator.

Financial assistance may only be given for self-pay portions of hospital bills. Funds can only be applied to hospital bills at SOMC. Bills from physicians and other health care providers are not eligible.

If approved, HCAP adjustments will be applied to the balance of your account for which the application was submitted, after all other insurance or payments have been exhausted. Once the account has been processed, a new application will be required on future services.

To request an application or for more information, please contact the SOMC Financial Assistance Coordinator in the Patient Accounting Department at (740) 356-7639.