Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center is part of Atrium Health and is covered by its Coverage Assistance and Financial Assistance policy (CAFA), revised 1 October 2023.
Income limits
- Uninsured, 0% to 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines — 100% financial assistance.
- Uninsured, 301% to 400% — a 50% discount.
- Insured, at or below 300% — 100% financial assistance on the accounts under review.
- Above 401% — not eligible.
Patients receiving partial assistance are not billed more than the amount generally billed to insured patients.
Be careful with figures you find elsewhere. An older version of this policy set the full-assistance threshold at 200% of FPG, and summaries quoting that number are still circulating. The current policy says 300%. If you were told you earn too much under the old figure, it is worth asking again.
Most people never fill in a form
Atrium runs a presumptive process. Uninsured patients are evaluated automatically using a financial assistance score assigned before the first bill is issued, with no application required. Income is checked against the previous 90 days through third-party data; if that disagrees with what you report, you may be asked for documentation.
Deadline and how long approval lasts
You have 240 days from the first post-discharge bill to apply. Only fully completed applications are reviewed.
An approval covers 180 days from the date of approval for medically necessary and non-elective care. If your circumstances change within that window in a way that makes you newly eligible for other coverage, you are expected to pursue it to keep the assistance.
Who is eligible
You must be a North Carolina or South Carolina resident, uninsured and ineligible for other coverage for the accounts under review, and you must cooperate with the review of other coverage options. If you are found ineligible you can appeal by calling 704-512-7171 or 1-844-440-6536.