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Mercy Urgent Care

Asheville, Brevard, Burnsville, Columbus, Waynesville & Weaverville NC

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Sliding Discount Program

Payment assistance with our Sliding Discount Program

Mercy Urgent Care offers a program that can reduce the cost of care for patients. Uninsured patients can benefit from lower total costs, and insured patients can have their deductibles reduced.

As a nonprofit urgent care network, we provide essential services regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. 

Discounts are offered based on household income and size. A “family” is defined as one or more persons living in one dwelling place who are related by blood, marriage, or law. Adults and minor children are considered a family. Relatives over 18 (who are not full-time students) are not eligible to be used as dependents for this application process.

apply for the sliding discount program

The Mercy Urgent Care Sliding Fee Discount Program is a financial assistance program for patients of our urgent care centers. Eligibility is determined based on household size and income. Participation in the Sliding Fee Discount Program is optional, but using the program can decrease your cost of all healthcare visits.

Patients with insurance coverage can still utilize the program to potentially lower copayment costs and deductibles. If you do not wish to participate, you are expected to pay full prices for all services. All information collected with this application is considered strictly confidential. Sliding Fee Discount Program applies to charges/fees from all Mercy service lines. 

HOW IT WORKS

1. Application
The sliding discount program application can be completed online or filled out during an in-person appointment. Please include required documents.

2. Verification
A member of Mercy’s financial department will review the application and documentation. If approved, the discount will be effective for one year. If not approved, the patient will be responsible for charges incurred and billed under our self payment plan.

3. Confirmation
Applicants will need to reapply on an annual basis with new proof of income.

Proof of Income or Inability to Pay Documentation

To qualify for the sliding discount program, you will need to provide one of the following:

No Income Documentation (only one required)

  • Unemployment denial letter
  • Termination of employment letter
  • Work release program letter
  • Public assistance letter (housing/food)
  • Qualifying letter from state or local jail
  • Qualifying letter from mental health institution

Proof of Income Documentation (only one required)

  • Paystub
  • Individual tax return
  • W-2
  • Recent bank statement
  • Unemployment paystub
  • Social security income letter
  • Child support/alimony support letter
  • Annuity, pension or retirement income statement

Sliding Discount Program Income Levels

The Sliding Discount Program Income Levels chart is used to determine the discount a patient is eligible to receive on their total charges for services. The scale can change from year to year, and the scale below should be used as a reference. Sliding scale level will be determined after application submission.

*Updated 5/1/25

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started and apply?

To get started, you’ll first need to submit a Sliding Discount Program application.
Direct any questions to compassionatecare@mercyurgentcare.org or ask for assistance from a Mercy Employee using the online form.

Will I qualify for the program?

Qualification is based on your household’s combined annual income and family size. Even if you don’t qualify for 100% coverage, there are several tiers and you may still be eligible for discounts.

What counts as “income”?
  • Wages/Tips 
  • Social Security/Disability Income 
  • Veteran’s Payments
  • Alimony 
  • Child Support 
  • Retirement Income 
  • Unemployment Benefits 
  • Public Assistance Income 
  • Other Income 
How long am I eligible for the sliding discount program?

These plans are effective for one year. You will be required to resubmit proof of income/non-income annually.