Wheatland, WY 82201

Platte County Hospital: financial help and billing questions

GovernmentCritical access · Government - Local · Emergency room

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What this means for your bill

Public hospitals usually have assistance programs, and some are also 501(c)(3). Ask for the financial assistance policy and whether 501(r) applies.

Critical access hospitals are small rural hospitals, limited to 25 inpatient beds. They are often the only hospital for a long drive in any direction.

Its financial assistance policy

Banner's hospital policy gives full write-off to uninsured patients under 200% of poverty level, 75% off up to 300%, 50% off up to 400%. Physician and professional charges are excluded, even for employed doctors.

The posted policy describes free care at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and a sliding discount up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Policy
Read it on their site
Application
Open the form
Billing office
(888) 264-2127

The policy says it does not cover bills from every doctor group. Ask whether your doctors bill separately.

Checked on 2026-10-31. Policies change. Confirm the current version and your eligibility with the billing office.

Four things to ask the billing office

1"Please send me the itemized bill, with dates, codes and units."
2"Please put my account on hold while I apply for financial assistance."
3"Please send the written financial assistance policy and application."
4"What is the deadline to apply, and can I confirm it in writing?"

The deadlines that protect you

30 days
A provider has 30 days to answer a request for your medical records (one 30-day extension is allowed).
120 days
Uninsured or self-pay patients can dispute a bill $400 or more over their Good Faith Estimate within 120 days of the bill.
180 days
Many plans give about 180 days from the denial letter to appeal. The date on your letter is the one that counts.
240 days
Nonprofit hospitals must let you apply for financial assistance for at least 240 days after the first bill following discharge.

These are common federal windows. Plans and hospitals can differ. The dates on your own letters count.

Common questions

Does Platte County Hospital have a financial assistance program?+

Its website posts a financial assistance policy. Banner's hospital policy gives full write-off to uninsured patients under 200% of poverty level, 75% off up to 300%, 50% off up to 400%. Physician and professional charges are excluded, even for employed doctors. The posted policy describes free care at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and a sliding discount up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. Policies change, so confirm the current version with the billing office.

How long do I have to apply?+

Ask billing for the deadline in writing. If the hospital turns out to be a nonprofit, the federal minimum is 240 days from the first bill after discharge.

Is Platte County Hospital a nonprofit?+

Medicare's hospital list labels it "Government - Local". That label is Medicare's, not the IRS's. To confirm 501(c)(3) status, search the hospital's name in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search and read its Form 990.

Other Wyoming hospitals

Wyoming medical bill rights and programs →

Sources

Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it. Hospitals are welcome to send their current policy.

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