Updated Sliding Fee Scale Discount Guide for CAHs and RHCs

The National Rural Health Resource Center has released an updated version of the Sliding Fee Scale Discount Guide for Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Health Clinics. The updated guide includes new information and details relevant to rural health clinics.

This guide provides critical access hospitals and rural health clinics guidance on developing a sliding fee scale discount program. A sliding fee scale discount program adjusts the amount an eligible patient owes for health care services based on their ability to pay. The guide also includes information on how sliding fee scale discount programs relate to Internal Revenue Code Section 501(r) compliance and participation in the National Health Service Corps.

The updated sliding fee scale guide includes:

• Reasons to implement a sliding fee scale discount program

• Developing a sliding fee schedule discount program

• Setting policies

• Creating a sliding fee scale discount structure

• Using a sliding fee scale discount program at your organization

• Updated consideration for 501(r) compliance

• Updated National Health Service Corps participation

• Updated Appendix: Example sliding fee schedule

You can find more information on the guide here and the full text here.