As a private, non-profit institution, Stanford Health Care relies on patient care revenues from commercial insurance, government programs or direct patient payments.

What are Financial Counselors? 

Financial counselors are part of the Patient Access Services team who are dedicated to helping patients and physicians determine sources of reimbursement for hospital services.

Financial Counselors identify and assist patients who are unable to pay their estimated liability prior to treatments or who have large existing balances. This assistance includes:

• Assessing a patient's liability,
• Linking patients to available funding sources such as Medi-Cal and Medicare, or
• Determining whether they are eligible for charity care or financial hardship treatment.

How it Works

Patients requesting payment plans or financial hardship consideration are identified as early as possible in the registration/admission process so the necessary documentation, research and approval can be completed before services are provided.

As a general policy, patients seeking elective/non-urgent services must have an identified financial source for covering the cost of care. This policy does not apply to persons who seek services in the Emergency Department until after the patient has been medically screened for an emergency medical condition and has either:

• Been determined not to have an emergency medical condition, or
• Been provided with stabilizing treatment.

In compliance with Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), Stanford Health Care will provide a medical screen examination and necessary stabilizing treatment for emergency medical conditions and labor regardless of ability to pay.