Cleveland-based MetroHealth System has launched a community-wide push to expand insurance enrollment as part of a broader effort to reduce the $1 million it spends daily on charity care.
MetroHealth, Cuyahoga County’s safety-net hospital system, said its charity care costs have more than doubled since 2022 and have reached an “unsustainable” level.
“To continue delivering high-quality care to everyone who walks through our doors, we must help our uninsured neighbors access the coverage they deserve,” President and CEO Christine Alexander-Rager, MD, said in an Oct. 30 news release. “This initiative reflects MetroHealth’s unwavering promise: to care for our community with compassion, dignity and respect.”
The campaign focuses on helping uninsured residents enroll in Medicare, Medicaid and marketplace plans through HealthCare.gov. Open enrollment begins Nov. 1, with coverage for those who sign up by Dec. 15 starting Jan. 1, 2026.
MetroHealth will partner with local organizations, faith groups and neighborhood associations to reach residents. It is also launching a program called MetroHealth Total Care Connection to provide personalized support, health screenings and insurance help at three upcoming health and enrollment fairs.
The system is also updating and rebranding its financial assistance policy to encourage insurance enrollment while preserving charity care for those with no other options.
Now called the healthcare access and assistance plan, the policy requires patients to engage with MetroHealth’s financial eligibility team to qualify for aid. Patients will receive a self-pay discount of 65% unless and until they engage with MetroHealth’s financial eligibility team.
Cuyahoga County residents earning up to 250% of the federal poverty level — $39,125 for an individual and $80,375 for a family of four — will continue to receive a 100% discount on bills. Those earning between 251% to 400% of the federal poverty level will receive partial discounts ranging from 70% to 75%.
“This plan envisions a new partnership between the healthcare system, our patients and the wider community,” Board Chair Harry Walker, MD, said. “Working together, I believe we can build and sustain a healthier community.”
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.