Financial Assistance at WMMC

Plain Language Summary of Our Financial Assistance Policy (FAP)

Western Missouri Medical Center is dedicated to providing quality, accessible healthcare to everyone. Our policy is to provide services without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and handicap. WMMC will provide services for those patients who have emergency conditions and/or can demonstrate that they do not have adequate financial resources to pay for the care.

Federal and state laws require all hospitals to seek payment for care provided. This means unpaid bills can ultimately be turned over to a collection agency, which can affect credit status. Therefore, it is important to contact Patient Accounts if you think you may experience a problem with paying your bill. We treat all questions and personal information with confidentiality and courtesy. We have trained Financial Counselors on staff who can help with your financial assistance options, including payment plans.

Financial Assistance Policy & Brochure

Below is a list of providers and services that work with WMMC patients, but bill for those services separately.

Radiology Providers Billing
Alliance Radiology

DISCLAIMER: Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) is committed to providing financial assistance to qualifying persons who need emergency or medically necessary care. Financial Assistance (FA) is determined on a case by case service basis, if you have additional service(s) you must reapply.

The primary service area of WMMC is defined in WMMC’s strategic plan. The towns included in WMMC’s primary service area are: Centerview (64019), Chilhowee (64733), Concordia (64020), Higginsville (64037), Holden (64040), Kingsville (64061), Knob Noster (65336), Leeton (64761), Warrensburg (64093), and Whiteman Air Force Base (65305).

We use current federal poverty guidelines to determine how much help each patient may receive. Financial Assistance is determined on a case by case service basis.

What Documents You Need to Apply for Financial Assistance

Current Income Tax Return (form 1040,1040A, 1040EZ, Schedules C, E, and F is applicable)
Payroll check stubs for the past 30 days
Current Medicaid denial – Visit a Human Arc representative located in the hospital’s Patient Access Department.
Copies of social security, disability income, unemployment, alimony, child support, dividends, interest, rental income, or any other income.
Proof of primary residence (state issued ID or other requested documentation in the absence of an ID, for example lease agreement, utility bill, etc.)

Setting Up a Payment Plan

If a patient is approved for financial assistance, that patient must set up a payment plan if the balance due cannot be paid in full. If a patient does not make the payments as agreed, we may send the patient’s account to a collection agency. Regardless of Financial Assistance there will be a
minimum payment at time of service(s). Patients will be asked to make the aforementioned payment at the time of service based on eligibility.

Applications are processed within 30 days of receipt. The Financial Assistance Committee will review your application and mail a letter of approval or denial.

If approved, your application is valid for three (3) months for charges resulting from medically necessary and/or urgent visits.
Additional WMMC accounts may be considered under this approval during that period.
If you already have a payment plan, it will be re-evaluated to ensure payments remain appropriate based on added charges.

*In the case that a payment plan is needed, you will also need to submit the Financial Assistance Payment Plan Form.

Ready to Apply?

You may apply for financial assistance at any time, before or after receiving care.

For questions or assistance with your application, please contact Patient Accounts at (660) 262-7396. All questions and personal information are handled with confidentiality and courtesy.

Apply for Financial Assistance

For questions on Financial Assistance, please call (660) 262-7396 or visit our patient billing page for more information on insurance and billing.

Additional FAQs

How should I organize my medical bills?

Keep your medical bills organized and contact the facility or physician listed on each bill if you have questions about payment. You may receive multiple bills for one visit. For example, if you visit the Emergency Room (ER) and an x-ray is ordered, you may receive:

One bill for ER facility charges
One bill for the ER physician’s services
One bill for the radiologist’s services

Each bill must be reviewed and paid separately. In general, one facility cannot process or explain another provider’s bill.

Why am I receiving multiple bills for one visit?

Facility services and professional (physician) services are billed separately. WMMC also partners with other physicians to provide comprehensive care, which may result in additional bills.

If you have questions about a specific bill, please call the customer service number listed on that bill.

What information do I need to provide to WMMC?

It is your responsibility to provide accurate and complete demographic and billing information. WMMC will file insurance claims on your behalf, but your subscriber and insurance information must be correct and up-to-date.

Please notify us if you:

Move
Change your name
Change jobs
Change insurance providers

Providing accurate information helps prevent billing delays or errors.

Who is responsible for paying my medical bills?

Even if you have insurance or expect a third party to pay, the ultimate responsibility for payment remains with you, the patient.

WMMC will bill third-party payers and make reasonable efforts to collect payment. If payment cannot be collected from a third-party payer, WMMC may seek payment directly from the patient.