The waiving and reducing fee policy is intended to ensure that all patients, regardless of payment source, would be able to receive services in the event of an unforeseen special circumstance occurring in their life. This policy should not be embedded in the sliding fee policy as it applies to all patients. The identified circumstances are over and above the normal barriers facing our patients each day. The criteria for qualifying for reducing or waiving fees may include many items. For example, the death of a family member that affects household income, mental instability, displacement due to natural disaster, or other explained extenuating circumstances. The specific circumstances must be identified in the policy and the procedure must ensure that patients experiencing these situations have the ability to have their charges waived or reduced.