Health Safety Net introduces co-pays

Starting on March 3, hospital and health center patients who use the Health Safety Net (formerly Free Care) may be charged co-pays for certain services. Co-pays may be required for prescriptions and some hospital visits. Children under 19 will not be charged for any services or prescriptions, and some lab services may be excluded as well. Co-pay charges may not exceed $250 per person per year (Oct. 1 through Sept. 30), and individuals are responsible for documenting this total. Hospitals and health centers will be responsible for collecting the co-pays.

Health Safety Net services that may require co-pays include:

• Prescription drugs from a community health center
• Prescription drugs from a hospital outpatient pharmacy
• Outpatient visits to doctors in hospitals
• Emergency room visits that do not result in admission
• Inpatient overnight stays

Click here for the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy letter about prescription drug co-pays.

Click here for the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy letter about co-pays for other health care services.


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