OCEAN COUNTY – While the federal government remains shut down, Hackensack Meridian Health is doing its part to help government employees while they are not receiving paychecks.
As of Jan. 18, Hackensack Meridian is waiving co-pays and deductibles for emergency visits for furloughed federal employees and their insured family members at all network hospitals and urgent care centers.
“We have seen the financial impact the federal government shut down has had on many families and we want to ensure that people will receive the care they need without worrying about the cost,’’ said Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “We believe that we need to step forward and do our part to help furloughed federal employees and their families.”
Lasting 27 days so far, this is the longest government shutdown our nation has ever experienced. It has impacted 800,000 federal employees, including 5,000 New Jersey residents.
Hackensack Meridian Health has 17 hospitals and numerous urgent care centers throughout the state where furloughed employees can seek medical attention without the expense of co-pays and deductibles.
“We are keenly aware of the burden that this shutdown has placed on our patients who are federal employees,’’ said Robert Glenning, Chief Financial Officer of Hackensack Meridian Health. “We are eager to do our part to ease some of the financial worries these families are facing.’’
