Find financial help · Lesson 12 of 16
How do I apply for hospital financial assistance?
The short answer
Ask the hospital for its financial assistance policy and application, and send it back complete with proof of income. At nonprofit hospitals, you can usually apply for at least 240 days after the first bill, and serious collection actions must pause while a complete application is reviewed.
Key takeaways
- You can often apply even if you have insurance or have already paid part of the bill.
- A complete application matters. Missing papers can delay the decision.
- If you qualify, a nonprofit hospital must refund what you overpaid and undo collection actions.
Many hospitals lower or forgive bills for people who qualify. This is called financial assistance or charity care. The rules below apply to nonprofit hospitals. Other hospitals may still help, so ask.
1. Get the policy and the application
Ask the billing office, or check the hospital website, for the financial assistance policy, its plain-language summary, and the application. Nonprofit hospitals must make these available and mention them on bills.[1]
2. Gather your papers
Most applications ask about household size and income. Common papers include recent pay stubs, a tax return, benefit letters, or a note explaining that you have no income. Ask what counts if your income changes from month to month.
3. Send a complete application and keep proof
Answer every question, sign, and keep a copy. Send it in a way you can track, and write down the date. If the hospital says something is missing, send it quickly.
4. Know the deadlines
At a nonprofit hospital, you have at least 240 days from the first bill after you leave to apply. Before serious steps such as credit reporting, selling the debt, or a lawsuit, the hospital must send written notice at least 30 days ahead.[2]
5. While you wait
Once your application is complete, the hospital may not start or restart those steps until it decides. Delaying or refusing needed care because of an old unpaid bill counts as one of those steps.[2]
6. After the decision
If you qualify, you should get a notice or a new bill showing what you owe and how it was figured. The hospital must refund what you overpaid and undo collection actions, such as credit report entries.[2] If you are turned down, ask why in writing.
What can be different for you
Each hospital sets its own income limits and discounts. Some states require all hospitals to offer financial assistance and set their own rules. Doctors who work in the hospital may bill separately and may not be covered by its policy. The hospital may wait for a Medicaid decision before deciding on your application.
More detail (optional)
Words you may see
The 240-day window is called the application period. Serious steps such as lawsuits, liens, credit reporting, and selling the debt are called extraordinary collection actions.[2]
Who the hospital answers for
A nonprofit hospital is responsible for collection agencies and debt buyers working for it. Some hospitals approve people without a full application, based on other information. This is called presumptive eligibility.[2]
If something goes wrong
If the hospital does not follow its policy, ask for a supervisor or a patient financial counselor. The complaint guide shows other places to raise a concern.
Words in this lesson
- Financial assistance
- A program that lowers or removes a medical bill for people who qualify, often based on income. Also called charity care.
- Extraordinary collection action
- A serious step a nonprofit hospital may take to collect a bill, such as a lawsuit, a lien, reporting to credit bureaus, or selling the debt. Federal rules limit when it can be used.
- Itemized bill
- A detailed bill that lists each service, supply, date, and charge. You can ask your provider for one.
Related
Where can I go for help?
Free help is often close by: the member services number on your insurance card, the billing office for your provider, your state insurance department, and nonprofit patient advocates.
This is general education. For decisions about your own plan, taxes, or legal rights, check your plan documents or a qualified professional.