Image: Briana Guzman gets a kiss from her grandmother before surgery to repair her cleft lip. Plastic surgeon Joel Levin, M.D., donated his services, as did Baptist Hospital, because Briana's family had no health insurance.

Baptist Health's Charity Care Reaches Record

Baptist Health provided an estimated $124 million in charity care last year, up from $112 million in 2005 and $93 million in 2004. The dramatic growth in charity care reflects Baptist Health’s commitment to serving the less fortunate, according to Chaplain Robert Jakoby, director of Pastoral Care, which administers the charity care program.

Charity care is defined as “free services to uninsured patients who do not have the ability to pay for their healthcare,” said Ralph Lawson, Baptist Health’s chief financial officer. “This is care we provide, knowing we will not bill for it.” In addition to charity care, Baptist Health also provides more than $400 million in uncompensated care, which includes shortfalls in Medicaid reimbursement and bad debt.

To apply for free or reduced-cost care, you must complete a Financial Assistance Application. Please call 786-573-6004.  Click here for more information on qualifying for charity care. Also,  see the links to the right under "About Charity Care."

See the latest on our Charity Care in the Community Benefit Report 2006.