Even with the news that a tentative agreement to end the shutdown has been reached between President Trump and Congress, Northwell Health is stepping up to provide financial assistance for federal employees who have sought care with them during the 35-day impasse.
While the state of the shutdown hangs in the balance, Northwell Health announced on Friday that they will help federal government employees by offering payment flexibility for patient billing. Employees will be eligible for a range of payment options, from placing a temporary hold on the account and avoid the collections process to seeing if they qualify for financial assistance.
“Northwell Health wants to help federal workers who are being impacted by the government shutdown to ensure that financial concerns are not impeding necessary medical care,” said Richard Miller, executive vice president and chief business strategy officer for Northwell Health.
Those seeking financial support will have to verify that they are a federal employee. They can speak with a customer care professional at 800-995-5727 or apply online through Northwell’s financial assistance portal.
The agreement, which was announced by President Trump in the Rose Garden on Jan. 25, would keep the government open until Feb. 15, allowing negotiators to work out a plan for a larger border security compromise as well as hundreds of thousands of federal workers to receive pay.
The agreement, however, does not include funding for the border wall. President Trump indicated in his speech that should Congress not pass legislation to fund the border wall, he would be forced to declare a national emergency at the border.
