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Hospital financial assistance and charity care

5 min read · Plain-English guide

Most nonprofit hospitals are required to maintain a written financial assistance policy, sometimes called charity care, as a condition of their tax-exempt status. Depending on your income, part or all of your bill may qualify for reduction, and many people who qualify never apply because they never hear about it.

Who typically qualifies

Every hospital sets its own thresholds, but assistance commonly extends well above the poverty line. Having insurance doesn't disqualify you; assistance often applies to what's left after insurance pays.

Good to knowYou can often apply even after you've received the bill, and in many cases after you've started paying it.

How to find the policy

Ask the billing office directly: "Can you send me your financial assistance policy and application?" Ask them to provide it in plain language.

How to apply well

Apply quickly. Some programs have deadlines tied to the date of your first bill.
Be complete. Missing documents are the most common reason applications stall.
Ask about pausing collection. Many hospitals will pause billing activity while an application is under review. Get that in writing.

Not sure if your bill qualifies?

Our review checks whether your provider has an assistance program and includes it in your action plan.