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Dahl Memorial Clinic finance committee forwards revised sliding-fee discount policy to board
Summary
The finance committee reviewed edits to the clinic's sliding fee discount policy, tightened application timing and documentation rules, and voted to forward the revised policy to the full board for approval.
The Dahl Memorial Clinic Finance Committee on May 12 voted to approve review of a revised sliding-fee discount policy and forward the draft to the full board for consideration.
Committee members said the main substantive change removes a 60-day retroactivity window and requires patients who seek sliding-fee eligibility to apply at the time of service. The committee agreed to clarify notification language so applicants receive notice if an application is denied as incomplete.
The changes also tighten descriptions of which dental services fall under a flat-rate versus percentage-based portion of the sliding-fee schedule. Committee members asked staff to standardize the policy’s acronyms and nomenclature so the policy consistently refers to the “Sliding Fee Discount Program” or “SFP.”
A staff presenter said the removal of 60-day retroactivity is intended to improve financial accountability and reduce a backlog of incomplete applications that sit on staff desks until later follow-up. The presenter said exceptions can still be granted on a case-by-case basis by staff.
Committee members debated whether incomplete applications should trigger a formal notice. One committee member asked for a change so applicants would receive at least minimal notification when an application is denied as incomplete; staff agreed to add that language.
The committee took a roll-call vote to forward the policy to the full board. Jeremy Simmons, Michelle DeKennedy and Bob Dietrich voted yes; the motion passed.
The committee scheduled a follow-up meeting with a subject-matter staff member on May 21 to review fees and charges after the federal poverty guidelines update and to finalize any remaining edits before the board packet.
