We’re all excited about the coming Spring & Summer seasons here on the Boothbay peninsula. As more and more of us are being vaccinated, we are looking forward to gathering with our friends and families and to attending many of the seasonal events we love.
But No Spring Fever Party
But, we still can’t host our Annual Spring Fever Party–which has historically been our big Spring fundraiser, netting more than $10,000 each year from our local year round community.
Seasonal Cashflow Challenges
Yet the first quarter of 2021 has been really hard from a cashflow perspective. Our snowbirds have not yet returned, so our patient traffic is low. And, most of the patients who are seeking care don’t pay at the time of service.
Did you know that Medicare doesn’t reimburse us for your first $203 of fees each year? That’s the amount of the Part B Medicare deductible amount–which holds true even if you have Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplemental insurance. So for the first few months each calendar year, we provide healthcare services to lots of patients who are 65 and older, but we typically don’t get paid for 6 months. Six months is how long it takes most people to understand that they really DO owe the amount that Medicare or their other insurer didn’t pay because of the annual deductible.
What does that mean for the Boothbay Region Health Center? It means that January through April is a particularly difficult time for us financially, due to the double whammy of having fewer patients AND we typically are not paid for the services we DO provide to Medicare patients.
How Can You Help?
Please consider the following options:
Make a generous donation specifically during the first quarter of the year. That’s when your community Health Center needs your support the most!
Give Monthly. Another way to help our non-profit remain cashflow positive is to spread your giving throughout the year. If you normally give us $100 once a year, consider instead becoming an Evergreen supporter, by giving $10 (or more) per month. If 1,000 of you become Evergreen supporters at the $10/month level, that’s $10,000 each month! That’s the amount we need each month to bridge the gap between the cost of providing convenient, high quality, affordable healthcare and the cost of delivering that care to you, your family, friends, local businesses and our many visitors each summer. To make a monthly donation, donate online and check the monthly option, or call (207-633-1075) our office during office hours with your credit card info and authorize us to debit your card monthly, or wait for our Spring fundraising mailer and check off the Evergreen option.
Pay Promptly. If you’re a Medicare patient, please pay your bill as soon as you receive it. Don’t wait for months because you think there’s a mistake. If in doubt, call your insurer–Medicare or your Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplemental insurer. If you aren’t covered by Medicare, but are self-insured/self-pay or enrolled with another insurance provider, please pay at the time of service, or as soon as you receive your first bill.