Free care & discount policy
Northwestern Medical Center provides financial assistance programs to community member patients who cannot pay for all or part of the care they received.
Financial assistance is available to all individuals who receive emergent care, and to individuals with a primary residence in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties (people who live in those counties for longer than six months a year), who meet certain income and asset guidelines.
Financial assistance is also available for individuals obtaining services from NMC that are offered at NMC locations outside of Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. 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 15 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. Individuals eligible for financial assistance cannot be charged more than the amounts generally billed (AGB) for emergency or other medically-necessary care.
How To Apply:
Click the link below to download a copy of the financial aid application.
Northwestern Medical Center’s financial aid application »
Financial assistance applications are also available at any registration area or from our Financial Counselor located at the front of the hospital. If you need assistance with NMC’s financial assistance application process or with applying for other assistance and insurance programs, please contact our Financial Counselor at (802) 524-1006.
For a copy of this plain language summary, click here. NOTE: Individuals eligible for financial assistance cannot be charged more than the amounts generally billed (AGB) for emergency or other medically-necessary care.
For a copy of the full Patient Financial Assistance policy, click here.
For a copy of the Billing and Collection Practices policy, click here.
Additional programs
NMC diabetes assistance – A program that includes 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.
NMC cancer or catastrophic assistance – Through the Jim Bashaw Cancer and Catastrophic Illness Fund, financial assistance is granted 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. Please note that services rendered at NMC by radiologists and anesthesiologists (including certified registered nurse anesthetists) are from separate entities that are not affiliated with NMC and therefore are not subject to NMC’s financial assistance policy.
Jim Bashaw Cancer and Catastrophic Illness Fund application »
Additional information
Green Mountain Care – Vermont offers several options to help people get health insurance coverage. These include Medicaid, Dr. Dynasaur, and VHAP-Pharmacy. Together, these programs are called Green Mountain Care. Each program has different eligibility, 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.
Vermont Health Connect – Our Patient Financial Counselor can work with a VT Certified Navigator to help you apply for health insurance through Vermont Health Connect.
Billing assistance
We understand healthcare billing can be a bit complex. If you would like to speak with a financial counselor about your bill, call the billing department below.
Hospital billing: Call 802-524-1065 and we will be happy to help you. Email Patient Financial Services at [email protected]
Physician Billing: Call 802-524-8949 and we will be happy to help you. Email Patient Financial Services at [email protected]