Health Assistance

The Health Assistance Program provides assistance with:

• Obtaining ongoing health care at a reduced cost or free.
• Affordable medications, medical equipment and supplies.
• Information and access to community resources and state programs.
• Managing health concerns and case management
• Outreach.

Call 847-6984. Monday - Thursday, 1 - 4 p.m.
All calls are returned within one business day.

Financial Assistance

Patient Assistance Program:

Your ability to pay for services should not prevent you from receiving the medically necessary care you need.  Fletcher Allen Health Care has a financial patient assistance program in place to help you.  If you qualify, your care may be available at a reduced cost or free.

• All patients residing within the Fletcher Allen service area (state of Vermont; and Clinton, St. Lawrence, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Washington and Warren counties in New York State), receiving essential, medically necessary patient care services at Fletcher Allen, are eligible to apply for financial assistance.
• In addition to meeting resource guidelines, applicant's family income must be less than 300% Federal Poverty Level guidelines.
• Uninsured Discount:  The uninsured patient discount has no residency or income requirement.  If the patient is uninsured (i.e. has no health care coverage benefits from commercial or government health care program), they qualify for a discount.

To apply for financial assistance or to make budget arrangements, please call Patient Financial Services: (802) 847-8000, or toll-free (800) 639-2719.  You may also send E-mail to: customerservice@vtmednet.org.  Hours are: 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Other Special Services for Patients

Language:

Sign and spoken language interpreters are available for people receiving care at Fletcher Allen Health Care.  For further information, call:

• Case Management and Social Work, (802) 847-5826, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm
• Phone the hospital operator to speak with the on-call social worker at (802) 847-0000

Transportation:

Special Services Transportation Agency (SSTA) is a private, non-profit organization that serves Chittenden County elder and disabled residents with transportation needs.  Call SSTA, (802) 878-1527.

Advocacy:

• The Office of Patient and Family Advocacy at Fletcher Allen can help with concerns about delivery of care, (802) 847-3500.  Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• Chittenden County residents age 60 and over: Champlain Valley Agency on Aging, (802) 865-0360 
• Outside Chittenden County:  Senior Helpline, 1-800-642-5119
• Health Care Ombudsman Program: Free statewide program to help Vermonters resolve problems and complaints with their health insurance.  Call (802) 863-2316 or toll-free at 1-800-917-7787

End of Life:

Information on advanced directives, advanced care planning, and other decisions involving medical care choice near end of life, as well as expert pain and symptom control.

• Palliative Care, (802) 847-5156
• Fletcher Allen Clinical Ethics Consultation Service, (802) 847-2000
• Fletcher Allen Health Care, Case Management and Social Work, (802) 847-3553
• Vermont Ethics Network, (802) 828-2902
  • E-mail at vtethicsnetwork@silicondairy.net 

Mobility:

Information on equipment to assist with mobility can be obtained by calling the Agency of Aging & Disabilities, (802) 241-2400.

page last updated on 5/2/2008