Patrick, a single, middle-aged man was treated for heat stroke over the summer in the Emergency Department at Aurora Medical Center – Summit.

A few weeks after he was treated, he received a bill in the mail. Patrick immediately called the hospital’s Financial Advocate.

“Patrick called me to let me know he has received two bills and wanted to let us know he is not ignoring us.” The Advocate continued, “He wanted us to also know that he doesn’t have many hours at work right now but that he plans to start paying the bill as soon as he can get more hours at work.”

“When I asked Patrick if he had any medical insurance, he told me he did not, so I offered to complete a financial assessment and he agreed.”

The Advocate was able to approve Patrick for a 100% discount through the Aurora Health Care Patient Financial Assistance Program.

“When I told Patrick he qualified for the financial assistance program and explained to him I would be writing off his hospital charges. He was shocked and couldn’t believe it,” said the Advocate. “He was so happy and kept saying how thankful he was and that he couldn’t believe this was really happening.”