If you are a patient of Health First Medical Group on Florida’s Space Coast and cannot afford the bill, there is help through its nonprofit parent. Health First, Inc. is Brevard County’s not-for-profit integrated system, and it offers financial assistance and charity care to uninsured and underinsured patients through a formal application and financial counselors. Here is how to use it. Policies change, so verify current details before relying on them.
Does Health First Offer Financial Assistance?
Yes. As a nonprofit system, Health First provides case-by-case financial assistance for uninsured and underinsured patients, and those ineligible for government programs, based on a completed Financial Assistance Application. Hospital financial counselors determine eligibility using income and household information. Health First reports more than $15 million a year in charity care.
One Thing to Check
The policy can exclude some non-employed providers, such as certain radiologists, anesthesiologists, and cardiologists, who bill separately. Confirm which of your bills are covered and which come from a separate provider.
How to Apply
Use the Health First price-estimates and financial assistance page to request the Financial Assistance Application, or ask for a financial counselor at a Health First facility. Provide proof of income and household size. Apply even after you have been billed.
Check Coverage First
A counselor can also screen you for Medicaid and Marketplace coverage before you assume you owe the full amount.
A Practical Order
Request the Financial Assistance Application and complete it with income proof. Confirm which of your bills are covered versus billed by a separate provider. Have a counselor check Medicaid and Marketplace eligibility. And apply even after the bill arrives.
Keep Records and Watch Deadlines
Good records protect you when dealing with Health First Medical Group. A simple system prevents costly mistakes.
Keep every statement, note what you paid and when, and mark any deadlines for assistance applications or appeals. If you set up a payment plan, get the terms in writing. Organized paperwork makes any dispute far easier to win.
Protect Yourself From Billing Scams
Medical bills attract scammers, so stay alert with anything claiming to be from Health First Medical Group. Real billing does not work by pressure.
A legitimate office will not demand payment by gift card or threaten instant arrest over the phone. When in doubt, hang up and call the number on your official statement. Never share card or bank details with an unexpected caller.
Use the Online Billing Portal
Most practices, including Health First Medical Group, offer an online patient portal. It makes billing much easier to manage.
Through the portal you can view itemized charges, pay securely, set up a plan, and message the billing office with questions. Having everything in one place helps you catch errors and track what you owe. Ask the front desk how to sign up.
Always Check Your Itemized Bill
Before paying Health First Medical Group, ask for a fully itemized bill. Billing errors are more common than most people expect.
Compare each line to the care you actually received, and watch for duplicate charges or services you never got. If something looks off, call and ask for an explanation. Correcting a single mistaken charge can lower the total more than any discount.
Know the No Surprises Act
Federal law now shields you from many surprise bills, including with Health First Medical Group. It is worth knowing before you pay.
The No Surprises Act limits unexpected out-of-network charges for emergency care and many procedures. If you are uninsured or self-paying, you are also entitled to a written good-faith estimate in advance. If a bill is far higher than that estimate, you may be able to dispute it.
Talk to a Financial Counselor
A quick conversation with Health First Medical Group’s billing office can open doors. Financial counselors are there to help.
Explain your situation plainly and ask what hardship options exist, from discounts to assistance applications. Ask for the person who handles financial assistance by name. Being proactive and polite often leads to help that is never advertised.
Get a Cost Estimate First
When you can, ask Health First Medical Group for a cost estimate before a procedure. Knowing the price early prevents a shock later.
If you are uninsured or paying yourself, you have the right to a good-faith estimate in writing. Compare it with what other providers charge for the same service. An estimate also gives you a basis to question a bill that arrives much higher.
Health First Medical Group Billing FAQs
Who qualifies?
Uninsured and underinsured patients, and those ineligible for government programs, based on income and a completed Financial Assistance Application reviewed by financial counselors.
Are all my bills covered?
Not always. Some non-employed providers, such as certain radiologists or anesthesiologists, bill separately and may be excluded. Confirm which bills are covered.
How do I apply?
Through Health First’s financial assistance page or a financial counselor, with proof of income and household size.
