Hospital Charity Care - Free Care You Didnt Know Existed
Nonprofit hospitals must offer charity care. Under 200% FPL may get free care. Heres how to apply.
Written by FairVisitHealth Editorial Team · Healthcare Pricing Analysts
Medically & editorially reviewed by the FairVisitHealth Clinical Team (Clinical & Billing Review). Data sourced from CMS, HRSA, and hospital price transparency filings.
Hospitals Must Offer Free Care
Every nonprofit hospital (60% of all US hospitals) is legally required to have a financial assistance policy. Many offer free care to patients earning under 200% FPL and discounted care up to 300-400% FPL. Most patients never apply because they dont know.
Who Qualifies
Free care: income under 200% FPL ($31,200 individual, $64,400 family of 4). Reduced care: under 300-400% FPL. Must be uninsured or underinsured.
How to Apply
Ask billing for the financial assistance application. Submit with proof of income. You can apply retroactively to existing bills. Hospitals cannot send bills to collections while applications are pending.
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