Free Care & Discount Policy

Northwestern Medical Center provides financial assistance programs to its patients consistent with its mission and values. These programs reflect our commitment to provide financial assistance to patients who cannot pay for part or all of the care they receive.

Financial assistance is available on a sliding scale for qualifying patients that receive any services provided by the hospital except for elective services. Patients requesting financial assistance are required to complete an application and provide various financial information, including proof of income. Patients will be notified in writing as to their approval status within 30 days of receipt of a complete application. It is expected that as part of the financial assistance approval process, patients will cooperate in applying for Medicaid or other health and welfare programs as appropriate.

The hospital’s financial assistance programs include assistance to residents of Franklin and Grand Isle Counties that have a diagnosis of diabetes and that meet certain established criteria. Funding to applicants under this diabetes program is limited to $200 every three months.

Click here for a PDF of Northwestern Medical Center's financial aid application.

The hospital, through the Jim Bashaw Cancer and Catastrophic Illness Fund, also provides financial assistance to support residents of Franklin and Grand Isle Counties in financial need as a result of a diagnosis of cancer or another catastrophic (long-term and resource intensive) health problem.

Additional Information:
Vermont offers several options to help people get health insurance coverage. These include Medicaid, Dr. Dynasaur, VHAP, Catamount Health, and VHAP-Pharmacy. Together, these programs are called Green Mountain Care. Each program has different eligibilty, but Vermonters with incomes up to 300 % of the federal poverty level can qualify. To learn more about these programs go to www.greenmountaincare.org or call 1-800-250-8427. The state also offers help with prescription drugs through the Attorney General's Prescription Drug Finder.

Our Patient Financial Counselors can be reached as follows:

For NMC hospital bills                          802-524-1065
For NMC physician practice bills           802-524-8949

If you need assistance in estimating charges for a service you will be receiving at NMC, a Patient Financial Counselor can assist you.