Patient Information
OCMH is a member of the Kansas Health Information Network (KHIN). This means that within 36 hours after you are discharged from the hospital a summary report will be sent to KHIN. This information is available to you when you register with KHIN.
Unfortunately there are several different health information exchanges in Kansas that currently do not communicate. At some point all will come together so regardless of the hospital you were treated at you will be able to go to one source to access your information.
For more information on KHIN and accessing your information contact OCMH (785-346-2121) or visit the KHIN website at http://www.khinonline.org.
Financial Assistance Policy
It is the policy of Osborne County Memorial Hospital to provide essential medical services regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.Discounts are offered based upon family/household size and annual income. A sliding fee schedule is used to calculate the basic discount and is updated each year using the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Once approved, the discount will be honored for six months, after which the patient must reapply.Discount Application Process: A completed application including required documentation of the home address, household income, and insurance coverage must be on file and approved by the clinic manager before a discount will be granted. If the applicant appears to be eligible for Medicaid, a written denial of coverage by Medicaid may also be required.Adolescent patients seeking confidential care are exempt from the application process, and services are provided at a nominal rate.
Billing Policy
When you receive a bill from the hospital or Osborne County Medical Clinic your insurance company has already been billed and has paid whatever portion they are obligated to pay. You will likely, if you haven't already, received an explanation of benefits (EOB) from the insurance company explaining what you paid and what you might be billed for. We encourage all patients to ask questions about the charges for their care.
A financial assistance program is available to those who qualify. Once you receive your bill if you have any questions or would like to set up a payment plan contact the business office as soon as possible (785-346-2121). The other side of our willingness to make paying your bill as easy as possible is an aggressive collection policy.
The hospital uses collection agencies, small claims court, collections through the State of Kansas set-back program, and/or other legal action as required.
Our policy states that regular monthly payments are required to avoid collection action. We prefer to set up a payment schedule with you rather than forward your account to collection. Please call 785-346-2121 at your earliest convenience to get a schedule worked out.
Advanced Directives
Advanced Directive is a general term used to describe both the Healthcare Directive and the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare Decisions. It is a term also used to refer to living wills and informal directives that people may express in letters or conversations.
An advanced directive allows you to communicate your healthcare preferences after you have lost the capacity to make or communicate your own decisions. Since 1991, the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized that all adults with decision-making capacity have a constitutional right to refuse or consent to any medical treatment, including ventilators and feeding tubes. Further, state laws authorize you to name a person to make healthcare decisions for you when you cannot make them yourself.
Advanced directives are intended to ensure that your wishes will be known and followed. They will be more helpful and informative if you discuss your wishes with your family, friends and healthcare providers as part of your advance care planning. These documents only become effective when you can no longer make or communicate your decisions yourself.
The greatest benefits of your advanced directive are its power to communicate your wishes and give your family peace of mind. Discuss your advanced directive with your doctor. Other individuals you should share this information with include family, friends, clergy, your attorney, and others who may carry out your wishes.
OCMH uses Five Wishes among other advanced directive documents. The Five Wishes document gives you a way to control something very important-how you are treated if you get seriously ill. It is the first living will that talks about personal, emotional and spiritual needs as well as your medical wishes. It’s very easy to use.
For more information on Advanced Directives please contact Jennifer Stull at 785-346-2121.
Notice of Nondiscrimination
As a participant in state and federal programs, Osborne County Memorial Hospital and its clinics, (Goad Medical Clinic and Osborne County Medical Clinic) do not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or age in admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits under any of its programs and activities, whether carried out by Osborne County Memorial Hospital and its clinics directly or through a contractor or any other entity with which Osborne County Memorial Hospital and its clinics arranges to carry out its programs and activities.
This statement is in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Regulations of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued pursuant to these statutes at Title 45 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 80, 84, and 91.
In case of questions, please contact:
Osborne County Memorial Hospital
Contact Person/Section 504 Coordinator: Doris Brown
Telephone number: 785-346-2121
Email: dorisbrown@ocmh.net
TDD or State Relay number: 1-800-766-3777