Safety Net Hospitals; A Resource for the Healthcare Consumers

Safety Net Hospitals; A Resource for the Healthcare Consumers

There are up to 5 Million Healthcare Consumers uninsured in the United States.  In addition, there are up to 31 million Healthcare Consumers that are underinsured.

What are the definitions of uninsured and underinsured?

Uninsured is defined as a consumer without any healthcare insurance.

Underinsured is defined as a consumer that has healthcare insurance with very high deductibles and large amounts out of pocket expenses compared to their income.

What are the potential health consequences for being uninsured or underinsured?

         Skipping needed healthcare

          Delaying needed medical services

          Skipping needed medication

          Your medical problems become worse

          Spending current income and savings on current and previous incurred healthcare                 expenses

The healthcare consumer needs to know what is a Safety Net Hospital and how they work. More importantly, how Safety Net Hospitals can improve healthcare of consumers.

A safety net hospital or health system provides a significant level of care to low-income, uninsured, and vulnerable populations as defined by the Essential Hospitals Association.  Safety net hospitals are further distinguished by their commitment to provide access to care for people with limited or no access to healthcare due to their financial circumstances, insurance issues or health conditions.  Three characteristics distinguish Safety Net Hospitals:

1. By legal mandate or directed to maintain a mission of open doors for patients regardless of their ability to pay
2. The patient payor mix is substantially uninsured, Medicaid and other vulnerable patients
3. Publicly owned hospitals

Safety Net Hospitals are generally in urban settings (66%); 34% in rural areas.  Safety net hospitals depend on public subsidies like Medicare and Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments, as well as on state and local tax appropriations, for revenues to help finance their important missions. There are three different ownership types; publicly owned, nonprofit owned and for profit owned.  Ownership may drive how accessible a Safety Net Hospital maybe.  The following are observations based on a consumers ability to pay:

Publicly Owned:  Treats consumers regardless of ability to pay.

Non-Profit Owned:  Will be more aggressive regarding consumers’ ability to pay, may require advance payment prior to service and may deny services for elective medical services.

For Profit Owned:  Could be even more aggressive than Non-Profit Owned Hospitals.

Safety Net Hospitals are known primarily for the care of uninsured consumers.   They also provide public health and specialty services—such as trauma, emergency psychiatric, and burn care—that benefit the entire community.

The healthcare consumer should determine:

1. Which hospitals in your community are publicly owned. The following is a list of the 50 largest public hospitals in the United States.  Many of the hospitals are in urban areas and do not reflect rural public hospitals.  The consumer can go the internet and enter” Public Hospital either by state or city” and search.
2. Safety Net Hospitals provide not only basic healthcare services but many specialty services. Following the list of public hospitals is a listing of services provided by safety net hospitals.
3. Public Hospitals are less restrictive than Non-profit or For Profit hospitals. This means the consumer has greater access to medical services.
4. Public Hospitals are generally affiliated with a Medical School. Medical School affiliations are very good.
5. If the healthcare consumer needs medical service and has no other access to medical care, Public Hospitals are the answer.

Top 50 Public Hospitals In the U.S.

1.Jackson Memorial Hospital (Miami) — 1,724 beds
2. Erie County Medical Center (Buffalo, N.Y.) — 1,137 beds
3. UAB Hospital (Birmingham, Ala.) — 1,097 beds
4. Bergen Regional Medical Center (Paramus, N.J.) — 1,004 beds
5. Memorial Regional Hospital (Hollywood, Fla.) — 993 beds
6. Ohio State University Hospital (Columbus) — 951 beds
7. Grady Memorial Hospital (Atlanta) — 933 beds
8. Lee Memorial Hospital (Fort Myers, Fla.) — 931 beds
9. University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers (Ann Arbor) — 915 beds
10. Bellevue Hospital Center (New York City) — 912 beds
11. Carolinas Medical Center (Charlotte, N.C.) — 866 beds
12. Greenville (S.C.) Memorial Hospital — 831 beds
13. Huntsville (Ala.) Hospital — 811 beds
14. Laguna Honda Hospital (San Francisco) — 805 beds
15. Sarasota (Fla.) Memorial Hospital — 786 beds
16. University of North Carolina Hospitals (Chapel Hill) — 774 beds
17. Parkland Hospital (Dallas) — 764 beds
18. MetroHealth Medical Center (Cleveland) — 737 beds
19. Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center (Los Angeles) — 724 beds
20. VCU Medical Center (Richmond, Va.) — 719 beds
21. Central Virginia Training Center (Madison Heights) — 718 beds
22. Medical University of South Carolina-University Hospital (Charleston) — 696 beds
23. University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics (Iowa City) — 687 beds
24. New Hanover Regional Medical Center (Wilmington, N.C.) — 679 beds
25. University of California San Francisco Medical Center at Parnassus (San Francisco) — 660 beds
26. Westchester Medical Center (Valhalla, N.Y.) — 643 beds
27. Broward Health Medical Center (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) — 640 beds
28. Medical Center of Central Georgia (Macon, Ga.) — 639 beds
29. Kings County Hospital Center (Brooklyn, N.Y.) — 634 beds
30. Jackson-Madison County General Hospital (Jackson, Tenn.) — 633 beds
31. University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson) — 610 beds
32. Maricopa Medical Center (Phoenix) — 592 beds
33. Ben Taub General Hospital (Houston) — 586 beds
34. Kaweah Delta Hospital (Vasalia, Calif.) — 581 beds
35. Gwinnett Medical Center-Lawrenceville (Ga.) — 576 beds
36. John Peter Smith Hospital (Fort Worth, Texas) — 576 beds
37. The University of Kansas Hospital (Kansas City) — 576 beds
38. Stony Brook (N.Y.) University Medical Center — 572 beds
39.  Wellstar Kennestone Hospital (Marietta, Ga.) — 572 beds
40. Monroe Community Hospital (Rochester, N.Y.) — 571 beds
41. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston) — 571 beds
42. University Medical Center (Las Vegas) — 564 beds
43. University of California Davis Medical Center (Sacramento, Calif.) — 563 beds
44. Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (San Jose, Calif.) — 554 beds
45. Cape Fear Valley Medical Center (Fayetteville, N.C.) — 552 beds
46. Medical Center of Daytona Beach (Fla.) — 550 beds
47. University of New Mexico Hospital (Albuquerque) — 546 beds
48. Elmhurst (N.Y.) Hospital Center — 545 beds
49. Erlanger Baroness (Chattanooga, Tenn.) — 538 beds
50. Sharp Grossmont Hospital (La Mesa, Calif.) — 536 beds

Services Provided By Safety Net Hospitals

Burn care

Pediatric intensive care

Neonatal intensive care unit

Trauma care

Psychiatric care

Alcoholism treatment

Psychiatric outpatient services

Obstetric care

AIDS services

Crisis prevention

Other special care

Psychiatric emergency services

Births

Freestanding outpatient center

Rehabilitation

Coronary intensive care unit

Social services

Emergency room services

Community outreach

Health screening

Hospice care

 

How does it work when the consumer arrives at a Safety Net Hospital?  The following is a general process most Safety Net Hospitals use.

Are you eligible for assistance at a Safety Net Hospital?

To find out, ask to talk to a Patient Advocate.  The Patient Advocate will have the information, forms, and process for you to follow. The facility will ask you to provide them with certain documentation.  This is critical for them to determine your eligibility.  Many consumers do not comply with this requirement.  Be aware that you may qualify for partial assistance.

If I have Healthcare Insurance, can I qualify for assistance?

In general, yes.  This can be a complicated situation that will require research and discussions by the consumer with the Patient Advocate to determine eligibility requirements.

If I qualify, do I have to apply every time I go to the hospital?

In general no, but ask the hospital Patient Advocate.

What income guide lines do Safety Net Hospitals use?

 Most use the most current Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Do Immigrants qualify?

In general, yes, but ask the hospital Patient Advocate.

If I am turned down for assistance, can I appeal?

In general, yes, but ask the Hospital Patient Advocate.

 

Most communities have Safety Net Hospitals.  Remember…. Safety Net Hospitals have different ownership models the can dictate access to medical care.  The following is a list by name of the facilities.

Alameda Health System (Oakland, Calif.)

• Alameda Hospital(Alameda, Calif.)
• Fairmont Hospital(San Leandro, Calif.)
• Highland Hospital(Oakland, Calif.)
• John George Psychiatric Hospital(San Leandro, Calif.)
• San Leandro Hospital(San Leandro, Calif.)

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (Colton, Calif.)
Banner Health (Tucson, Ariz.)

• Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix(Phoenix)
• Banner-University Medical Center South(Tucson, Ariz.)
• Banner-University Medical Center Tucson(Tucson, Ariz.)

Bon Secours Baltimore Health System (Baltimore)
Boston Medical Center (Boston)
Broadlawns Medical Center (Des Moines, Iowa)
Broward Health (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

• Broward Health Coral Springs(Coral Springs, Fla.)
• Broward Health Imperial Point(Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
• Broward Health Medical Center(Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
• Broward Health North(Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
• Chris Evert Children’s Hospital(Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Cambridge Health Alliance (Cambridge, Mass.)

• Cambridge Hospital Campus(Cambridge, Mass.)
• Somerville Hospital Campus(Somerville, Mass.)
• Whidden Hospital Campus(Cambridge, Mass.)

Care New England Health System (Providence, R.I.)

• Butler Hospital(Providence, R.I.)
• Kent Hospital(Warwick, R.I.)
• Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island(Pawtucket, R.I.)
• Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island(Providence, R.I.)

CaroMont Health (Gastonia, N.C.)
City and County of San Francisco Department of Public Health (San Francisco)

• Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center(San Francisco)
• San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center(San Francisco)

Contra Costa Health Services (Martinez, Calif.)

• Contra Costa Regional Medical Center(Martinez, Calif.)

Cook County Health & Hospitals System (Chicago)

• John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County(Chicago)
• Oak Forest Health Center(Oak Forest, Ill.)
• Provident Hospital of Cook County(Chicago)

DCH Regional Health System (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

• DCH Regional Medical Center(Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
• Fayette Medical Center(Fayette, Ala.)
• Northport Medical Center(Northport, Ala.)

Denver Health Medical Center (Denver)

East Alabama Medical Center (Opelika, Ala.)

• East Alabama Medical Center – Lanier(Valley, Ala.)

Einstein Healthcare Network (Philadelphia)

• Einstein Medical Center Elkins Park(Elkins Park, Pa.)
• Einstein Medical Center Montgomery(East Norriton, Pa.)
• Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia(Philadelphia)
• MossRehab(Elkins Park, Pa.)

Erie County Medical Center (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Erlanger Health System (Chattanooga, Tenn.)

• Children’s Hospital at Erlanger(Chattanooga, Tenn.)
• Erlanger Baroness Campus(Chattanooga, Tenn.)
• Erlanger Bledsoe Campus(Pikeville, Tenn.)
• Erlanger East Campus(Chattanooga, Tenn.)
• Erlanger North Campus(Chattanooga, Tenn.)

Grady Health System (Atlanta)

• Grady Memorial Hospital(Atlanta)
• Lindbergh Women’s & Children’s Center(Atlanta)

Halifax Health (Daytona Beach, Fla.)

• Halifax Health Medical Center(Daytona Beach, Fla.)
• Halifax Health Medical Center Port Orange(Port Orange, Fla.)

Harris Health System (Houston)

• Ben Taub Hospital(Houston)
• Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital(Houston)
• Quentin Mease Hospital(Houston)

Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County (Indianapolis)

• Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital(Indianapolis)

Health Care District of Palm Beach County (Palm Springs, Fla.)

• Lakeside Medical Center(Belle Glade, Fla.)

Hennepin County Medical Center (Minneapolis, Minn.)
Henry Ford Health System (Detroit)

• Henry Ford Community Care Services(Bingham Farms, Mich.)
• Henry Ford Hospital(Detroit)
• Henry Ford Kingswood Hospital(Ferndale, Mich.)
• Henry Ford Macomb Hospital – Clinton Township(Clinton Township, Mich.)
• Henry Ford Macomb Hospital – Mt. Clemens(Mount Clemens, Mich.)
• Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital(West Bloomfield, Mich.)
• Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital(Wyandotte, Mich.)

Hurley Medical Center (Flint, Mich.)
Jackson Health System (Miami)

• Holtz Children’s Hospital(Miami)
• Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital(Miami)
• Jackson Memorial Hospital(Miami)
• Jackson North Medical Center(Miami)
• Jackson Rehabilitation Hospital(Miami)
• Jackson South Community Hospital(Miami)

JPS Health Network (Fort Worth, Texas)

• John Peter Smith Hospital(Fort Worth, Texas)
• JPS Diagnostic & Surgery Hospital of Arlington(Fort Worth, Texas)
• Trinity Springs Pavilion for Psychiatric Services(Fort Worth, Texas)

KentuckyOne Health (Louisville, Ky.)

• Saint Joseph Hospital London(London, Ky.)
• Saints Mary & Elizabeth Hospital(Louisville, Ky.)
• University of Louisville Hospital(Louisville, Ky.)

Kern Medical (Bakersfield, Calif.)
Lee Health (Fort Myers, Fla.)

• Cape Coral Hospital(Cape Coral, Fla.)
• Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida(Fort Myers, Fla.)
• Gulf Coast Medical Center(Fort Myers, Fla.)
• HealthPark Medical Center(Fort Myers, Fla.)
• Lee Memorial Hospital(Fort Myers, Fla.)
• The Rehabilitation Hospital(Fort Myers, Fla.)

Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (Los Angeles)

• Harbor-UCLA Medical Center(Torrance, Calif.)
• High Desert Regional Health Center(Lancaster, Calif.)
• LAC+USC Medical Center(Los Angeles)
• Olive View-UCLA Medical Center(Sylmar, Calif.)
• Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center(Downey, Calif.)

Maricopa Integrated Health System (MIHS) (Phoenix)

• Maricopa Medical Center(Phoenix)

Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, S.C.)
Memorial Health (Savannah, Ga.)
Memorial Healthcare System (Hollywood, Fla.)

• Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital(Hollywood, Fla.)
• Memorial Hospital Miramar(Miramar, Fla.)
• Memorial Hospital Pembroke(Pembroke Pines, Fla.)
• Memorial Hospital West(Pembroke Pines, Fla.)
• Memorial Regional Hospital(Hollywood, Fla.)
• Memorial Regional Hospital South(Hollywood, Fla.)

Methodist Health System (Dallas)
Methodist Hospitals (Gary and Merrillville, Ind.)
Nashville General Hospital at Meharry (Nashville, Tenn.)
Natividad Medical Center (Salinas, Calif.)
Navicent Health (Macon, Ga.)
Nebraska Medicine (Omaha, Neb.)
Norwegian American Hospital (Chicago)
NuHealth (East Meadow, N.Y.)
NYC Health + Hospitals (New York)

• Bellevue Hospital Center(New York)
• Coler Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center(New York)
• Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility(New York)
• Coney Island Hospital(Brooklyn, N.Y.)
• Susan Smith McKinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Center(Brooklyn, N.Y.)
• Elmhurst Hospital Center(Elmhurst, N.Y.)
• Gouverneur Healthcare Services(New York)
• Harlem Hospital Center(New York)
• Henry J. Carter Specialty Hospital & Nursing Facility(New York)
• Jacobi Medical Center(Bronx, N.Y.)
• Kings County Hospital Center(Brooklyn, N.Y.)
• Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center(Bronx, N.Y.)
• Metropolitan Hospital Center(New York)
• North Central Bronx Hospital(Bronx, N.Y.)
• Queens Hospital Center(Jamaica, N.Y.)
• Sea View Hospital and Rehabilitation Center and Home(Staten Island, N.Y.)
• Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center(Brooklyn, N.Y.)

Orlando Health (Orlando, Fla.)

• Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children(Orlando, Fla.)
• P. Phillips Hospital(Orlando, Fla.)
• Health Central Hospital(Orlando, Fla.)
• Orlando Regional Medical Center(Orlando, Fla.)
• South Lake Hospital(Clermont , Fla.)
• South Seminole Hospital(Longwood, Fla.)
• Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies(Orlando, Fla.)

Parkland Health & Hospital System (Dallas)
Regional One Health (Memphis, Tenn.)
Regions Hospital (St. Paul, Minn.)
Rhode Island Hospital (Providence, R.I.)

• Hasbro Children’s Hospital(Providence, R.I.)

Riverside County Regional Medical Center (Moreno Valley, Calif.)
RWJBarnabas Health (Jersey City, N.J.)

• Clara Maass Medical Center(Belleville, N.J.)
• Jersey City Medical Center(Jersey City, N.J.)
• Monmouth Medical Center(Long Branch, N.J.)
• Newark Beth Israel Medical Center(Newark, N.J.)

San Joaquin General Hospital (French Camp, Calif.)
San Mateo Medical Center (San Mateo, Calif.)
Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System (San Jose, Calif.)

• Santa Clara Valley Medical Center(San Jose, Calif.)

Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital (Brockton, Mass.)
Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System (Spartanburg, S.C.)

St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center (Paterson, N.J.)

• Joseph’s Wayne Hospital(Wayne, N.J.)

St. Luke’s Health System (Boise, Idaho)

• Luke’s Children’s Hospital(Boise, Idaho)
• Luke’s Elmore Medical Center(Mountain Home, Idaho)
• Luke’s Jerome(Jerome, Idaho)
• Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center(Twin Falls, Idaho)
• Luke’s McCall Medical Center(McCall, Idaho)
• Luke’s Meridian Medical Center(Meridian, Idaho)
• Luke’s Regional Medical Center(Boise, Idaho)
• Luke’s Wood River Medical Center(Ketchum, Idaho)

SUNY-State University of New York (Albany, N.Y.)

• Stony Brook University Hospital(Stony Brook, N.Y.)
• SUNY Downstate Medical Center(Brooklyn, N.Y.)
• SUNY Upstate Medical University(Syracuse, N.Y.)

Swedish Covenant Hospital (Chicago)
Tampa General Hospital (Tampa, Fla.)
Temple University Health System (Philadelphia)

• Episcopal Hospital(Philadelphia)
• Jeanes Hospital(Philadelphia)
• Temple University Hospital(Philadelphia)

The MetroHealth System (Cleveland)

• MetroHealth Medical Center – Main Campus(Cleveland)

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (Columbus, Ohio)

The University of Chicago Medicine (Chicago)

• Bernard Mitchell Hospital(Chicago)
• Comer Children’s Hospital(Chicago)

The University of Kansas Hospital (Kansas City, Kan.)
The University of Mississippi Health Care (Jackson, Miss.)

• Batson Children’s Hospital(Jackson , Miss.)
• Holmes County Hospital(Lexington, Miss.)
• The University of Mississippi Medical Center(Jackson, Miss.)
• Conerly Critical Care Hospital(Jackson, Miss.)
• Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants(Jackson, Miss.)

The University of Texas Medical Branch (Galveston, Texas)

• Children’s Hospital(Galveston, Texas)
• Jennie Sealy Hospital(Galvetson, Texas)
• John Sealy Hospital(Galveston, Texas)

Truman Medical Centers (Kansas City, Mo.)

• TMC Behavioral Health(Kansas City, Mo.)
• TMC Hospital Hill(Kansas City, Mo.)
• TMC Lakewood(Kansas City, Mo.)

UC Health (Cincinnati)

• Daniel Drake Center for Post-Acute Care(Cincinnati)
• University of Cincinnati Medical Center(Cincinnati)
• West Chester Hospital(West Chester, Ohio)

UK HealthCare (Lexington, Ky.)

• Kentucky Children’s Hospital(Lexington, Ky.)
• UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital(Lexington, Ky.)
• UK Good Samaritan Hospital(Lexington, Ky.)

UMass Memorial Health Care (Worcester, Mass.)

• Clinton Hospital(Clinton, Mass.)
• HealthAlliance Hospital – Burbank Campus(Fitchburg, Mass.)
• HealthAlliance Hospital – Leominster Campus(Leominster, Mass.)
• Marlborough Hospital(Marlborough, Mass)
• UMass Memorial Medical Center(Worcester, Mass)
• UMass Memorial Medical Center – Hahnemann Campus(Worcester, Mass.)
• UMass Memorial Medical Center – Memorial Campus(Worcester, Mass.)

United Medical Center (Washington, DC)
University Health (Shreveport, La.)
University Health System (San Antonio)

• University Hospital(San Antonio)

University Hospital (Newark , N.J.)
University Medical Center of El Paso (El Paso, Texas)
University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (Las Vegas)

• Children’s Hospital of Nevada at UMC(Las Vegas)

University Medical Center New Orleans (New Orleans)
University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB Health System) (Birmingham, Ala.)

• Callahan Eye Hospital(Birmingham, Ala.)
• Spain Rehabilitation Center(Birmingham, Ala.)
• UAB Hospital(Birmingham, Ala.)
• UAB Hospital – Highlands(Birmingham, Ala.)
• Women & Infants Center(Birmingham, Ala.)

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) (Little Rock, Ark.)
University of California (Los Angeles)

• Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA(Los Angeles)
• Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA(Los Angeles)
• Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center(Los Angeles)
• Shiley Eye Center(San Diego)
• UC Davis Medical Center(Sacramento, Calif.)
• UC Irvine Medical Center(Orange, Calif.)
• UC San Diego Health System(San Diego)
• UCLA Medical Center Santa Monica(Santa Monica, Calif.)
• UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital(San Francisco)
• UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion(San Francisco)

University of Florida Health (Gainesville, Fla.)

• UF Health Jacksonville(Jacksonville, Fla.)
• UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital(Gainesville, Fla.)
• UF Health Shands Hospital(Gainesville, Fla.)
• UF Health Shands Psychiatric Hospital(Gainesville, Fla.)
• UF Health Shands Rehab Hospital(Gainesville, Fla.)

University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (Chicago)
University of Missouri Health Care (Columbia, Mo.)

• Missouri Psychiatric Center(Columbia, Mo.)
• The Missouri Orthopaedic Institute(Columbia, Mo.)
• University Hospital(Columbia, Mo.)
• University of Missouri Women’s and Children’s Hospital(Columbia, Mo.)

University of South Alabama Medical Center (Mobile, Ala.)

• University of South Alabama Children’s and Women’s Hospital(Mobile, Ala.)

University of Tennessee Medical Center (Knoxville, Tenn.)
University of Utah Health Care (Salt Lake City)

University of Vermont (UVM) Medical Center (Burlington, Vt.)

• UVM Health Network – Central Vermont Medical Center(Montpelier, Vt.)
• UVM Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital(Plattsburgh, N.Y.)
• UVM Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital(Elizabethtown, N.Y.)

University of Virginia Health (Charlottesville, Va.)

• UVA Culpeper Hospital(Culpeper, Va.)
• UVA Medical Center(Charlottesville, Va.)

UNM Health Sciences Center (Albuquerque, N.M.)

• UNM Carrie Tingley Hospital(Albuquerque, N.M.)
• UNM Children’s Hospital(Albuquerque, N.M.)
• UNM Children’s Psychiatric Center(Albuquerque, N.M.)
• UNM Hospital(Albuquerque, N.M.)
• UNM Psychiatric Center(Albuquerque, N.M.)
• UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center(Rio Rancho, N.M.)

UT Health Northeast (Tyler, Texas)
UW Medicine (Seattle)

• Harborview Medical Center(Seattle)
• Northwest Hospital & Medical Center(Seattle)
• UW Medical Center(Seattle)
• Valley Medical Center(Renton, Wash.)

VCU Health (Richmond, Va.)

• Children’s Hospital of Richmond(Richmond, Va.)
• VCU Medical Center(Richmond, Va.)
• VCU Pauley Heart Center(Richmond, Va.)

Ventura County Health Care Agency (Ventura, Calif.)

• Santa Paula Hospital(Santa Paula, Calif.)
• Ventura County Medical Center(Ventura, Calif.)

WVU Medicine (Morgantown, W. Va.)

• Berkeley Medical Center(Martinsburg, W. Va.)
• Camden Clark Medical Center(Parkersburg, W. Va.)
• Chestnut Ridge Center(Morgantown, W. Va.)
• Jefferson Medical Center(Ranson, W. Va.)
• Ruby Memorial Hospital(Morgantown, W. Va.)
• United Hospital Center(Bridgeport, W. Va.)
• WVU Children’s Hospital(Morgantown, W. Va.)

Westchester Medical Center (Valhalla, N.Y.)

• MidHudson Regional Hospital of Westchester(Poughkeepsie, N.Y.)

Yuma Regional Medical Center (Yuma, Ariz.)

 

In summary, Safety Net Hospitals are a healthcare resource consumers can leverage if necessary.  Not making healthcare treatment decisions can cause major healthcare problems for consumers as outlined above.  The Commonwealth Fund in 2014 conducted a survey to fully understand the problems experienced by underinsured consumers.  The following are a portion of the results.

51% has problems paying medical bills

44% received a lower credit rating

47% used all their savings

34% used their credit cards to pay

9% used a second mortgage

7% declared bankruptcy

Sadly, healthcare consumers do not understand what options are available.  Most of the above events could have been avoided if the healthcare consumer took advantage of Safety Net Hospitals.