Frequent Questions

What is HopeHealth?

HopeHealth is a non-profit organization that comprises a Federally Qualified Health Center (also known as a community health center), three specialty infectious disease practices, a child advocacy center and a wellness center. In Florence, our community health center provides primary health care services to patients of all ages.

What makes a community health center different from other doctors' offices?

A community health center functions like any other primary medical care office in many ways: We employ skilled, licensed physicians and nurse practitioners to provide primary and preventive health care to patients of all ages. What sets us apart, however, is our commitment to providing accessible care to all patients, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. We happily accept most private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare, and we work closely with patients who lack adequate health insurance to help them qualify for our sliding fee discount program.

I have health insurance. Why should I go to HopeHealth instead of any other doctor's office?

Our community health center's services make it a first choice for health care, not a last resort. There are a number of reasons to consider receiving your care with us:

  • Our skilled providers have decades of experience providing high-quality care to patients of all ages.
  • You will receive excellent health care at HopeHealth, with the added convenience of an in-house laboratory and pharmacy to save you time.
  • If your health insurance does not cover the health care you need, you still may qualify for our sliding fee discount program. If you do not have prescription drug coverage, as a patient of HopeHealth you may qualify for discounted prescriptions through our in-house pharmacy.
  • If you ever lose your health insurance, you will not be turned away. You can expect consistent, compassionate care, and we will work with you to help enroll you in our sliding fee discount program.
  • You can make a difference in the health of an uninsured patient simply by choosing to receive care at HopeHealth. Uninsured patients in our sliding fee discount program pay what they can, which is typically far less than the cost of care. The income we receive from serving insured patients offsets the cost of caring for those not fortunate enough to have insurance.

Is HopeHealth a free clinic?

No. All patients at HopeHealth are responsible for paying for their care; there are programs in place to ensure this care is affordable for everyone. Our providers and staff are all paid employees, and we see patients primarily by appointment.

If I need to see a doctor, why shouldn't I just go to the ER?

The emergency room at a hospital is important for acute care at times when other options aren't available, but HopeHealth offers something more: When you come to HopeHealth, you have a health care home. This means you have a doctor who knows you and can help manage your whole health.

I have no health insurance. How do I become a patient?

We take pride in treating all our patients with respect and dignity, regardless of insurance status. You can set an appointment to be seen by filling out our new patient intake application or calling our office at (843) 667 - 9414. In order to determine whether you qualify for our sliding fee discount program, you must be prepared to provide proof of income at your first appointment. Our patient account representatives will assist you in bringing everything you need. If you do not bring what we request, we will be unable to enroll you in the discount program and you will be responsible for paying the full cost of care.

I am unemployed/ am disabled/ am retired/have no income. How can I enroll in the sliding fee discount program?

There are a variety of documents that you can bring in to prove your income. There is no penalty for proving income; it can only help you. Below is a list of documents we accept as proof of income. You must bring any and all that apply to you:

  • Pay check stub
  • SC Employment Security Commission Report
  • TANF
  • Retirement Statement
  • Social Security Statement
  • Social Security Request
  • Housing Authority Statement
  • Child Support / Alimony Report
  • Federal / State Tax Return
  • Prior Year W-2 / 1099
  • Medicaid Application / Statement

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HopeHealth - With Hope, All Things Are Possible


Frequent Questions

What is HopeHealth?

HopeHealth is a non-profit organization that comprises a Federally Qualified Health Center (also known as a community health center), three specialty infectious disease practices, a child advocacy center and a wellness center. In Florence, our community health center provides primary health care services to patients of all ages.

What makes a community health center different from other doctors' offices?

A community health center functions like any other primary medical care office in many ways: We employ skilled, licensed physicians and nurse practitioners to provide primary and preventive health care to patients of all ages. What sets us apart, however, is our commitment to providing accessible care to all patients, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. We happily accept most private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare, and we work closely with patients who lack adequate health insurance to help them qualify for our sliding fee discount program.

I have health insurance. Why should I go to HopeHealth instead of any other doctor's office?

Our community health center's services make it a first choice for health care, not a last resort. There are a number of reasons to consider receiving your care with us:

  • Our skilled providers have decades of experience providing high-quality care to patients of all ages.
  • You will receive excellent health care at HopeHealth, with the added convenience of an in-house laboratory and pharmacy to save you time.
  • If your health insurance does not cover the health care you need, you still may qualify for our sliding fee discount program. If you do not have prescription drug coverage, as a patient of HopeHealth you may qualify for discounted prescriptions through our in-house pharmacy.
  • If you ever lose your health insurance, you will not be turned away. You can expect consistent, compassionate care, and we will work with you to help enroll you in our sliding fee discount program.
  • You can make a difference in the health of an uninsured patient simply by choosing to receive care at HopeHealth. Uninsured patients in our sliding fee discount program pay what they can, which is typically far less than the cost of care. The income we receive from serving insured patients offsets the cost of caring for those not fortunate enough to have insurance.

Is HopeHealth a free clinic?

No. All patients at HopeHealth are responsible for paying for their care; there are programs in place to ensure this care is affordable for everyone. Our providers and staff are all paid employees, and we see patients primarily by appointment.

If I need to see a doctor, why shouldn't I just go to the ER?

The emergency room at a hospital is important for acute care at times when other options aren't available, but HopeHealth offers something more: When you come to HopeHealth, you have a health care home. This means you have a doctor who knows you and can help manage your whole health.

I have no health insurance. How do I become a patient?

We take pride in treating all our patients with respect and dignity, regardless of insurance status. You can set an appointment to be seen by filling out our new patient intake application or calling our office at (843) 667 - 9414. In order to determine whether you qualify for our sliding fee discount program, you must be prepared to provide proof of income at your first appointment. Our patient account representatives will assist you in bringing everything you need. If you do not bring what we request, we will be unable to enroll you in the discount program and you will be responsible for paying the full cost of care.

I am unemployed/ am disabled/ am retired/have no income. How can I enroll in the sliding fee discount program?

There are a variety of documents that you can bring in to prove your income. There is no penalty for proving income; it can only help you. Below is a list of documents we accept as proof of income. You must bring any and all that apply to you:

  • Pay check stub
  • SC Employment Security Commission Report
  • TANF
  • Retirement Statement
  • Social Security Statement
  • Social Security Request
  • Housing Authority Statement
  • Child Support / Alimony Report
  • Federal / State Tax Return
  • Prior Year W-2 / 1099
  • Medicaid Application / Statement



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