Is there financial help for my medical bills?
Financial assistance programs, sometimes called “charity care,” provide free or discounted health care to people who need help paying their medical bills. These programs may help patients who do not have insurance and patients who have insurance but are underinsured. These programs may be provided by your medical care provider and your state. Additionally, there may be non-profit organizations or advocacy groups that can help you.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires hospitals with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status to provide this free or discounted care . Hospitals are required to have a written Financial Assistance Policy (FAP) and a written Emergency Medical Care policy. These policies should be widely publicized (for example, a conspicuous written notice on billing statements and public displays) and must include specific information such as:
- Eligibility criteria for financial assistance and whether the care is free or discounted
- Basis for calculating amounts that you are charged
- How you apply
As part of the hospital intake or discharge process, the hospital must offer you a paper copy of the plain language summary of the FAP. This summary must include:
- A brief description of the eligibility requirements and assistance offered under the FAP.
- A brief summary of how to apply for assistance under the FAP.
- The direct website address (or URL) and physical locations where the individual can obtain copies of the FAP and FAP application form.
- Instructions on how the individual can obtain a free copy of the FAP and FAP application form by mail.
Steps to ask about financial assistance or charity care
- Ask for a copy of the hospital’s FAP up front. By law, the policy must be provided free of charge and explain how to apply for help. In communities with significant limited English proficiency populations, a hospital may be required to translate documents into the primary language of those communities.
- Fill out an application form. You may need to provide information about your income, including last year’s tax forms or a current pay stub, and your expenses, including your rent or mortgage payment, utilities, credit cards, and other expenses.
- Ask your provider how long it takes to process your application for financial assistance, how to get answers to questions about the application, and what happens with your bill in the meantime.
- Notify any debt collectors that you’re seeking financial assistance for the bill and tell them to pause collections while that process plays out—and if they already reported it on your credit, to show the bill as disputed.
- Follow up with your provider about the status of your application as necessary.
The IRS provides more information about charity care or financial assistance policies here . And remember, in exchange for the nonprofit hospital being treated favorably under federal tax laws, they are required to follow the requirements of these programs. If you suspect the hospital is NOT following these requirements, notify the IRS .
Even if a hospital is for-profit or private, they may have a financial assistance policy that can help you pay your medical bills. Ask your hospital for information about their FAP, including the eligibility requirements and how you can apply.
Some states have charity care laws that require hospitals to provide free or discounted care to patients meeting eligibility criteria. This eligibility determination can be based on income. Here are some of the states that provide protections:
- California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington have protections that apply to all hospitals.
- Louisiana, Oregon, and Texas have protections that apply only to nonprofit or state hospitals.
- Colorado, Massachusetts, and South Carolina have state-run financial assistance programs.
Even if your medical bill is in collection or you have been sued for the debt, you may still want to apply for charity care or financial assistance. You can also request that the debt collector stop collection activity while your application is pending with the hospital. Here is a sample letter that you can use or modify to send to the debt collector. Telling the debt collector to stop contacting you does not stop the debt collector or the hospital from using other legal ways to collect the debt from you if you owe it.
Where can I go if I need more help?
If you have problems with your FAP or charity care application or are unable to resolve your billing dispute to your satisfaction, you have several options.
Consumer Assistance Programs. Many states provide help for consumers experiencing problems with their health insurance. This state map will help you find assistance in your state or territory.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services offers detailed information about your protections against surprise medical bills.
State agencies such as your state attorney general and state insurance department or insurance commissioner may also offer helpful information as well as a complaint process.
Legal Services. If you need a lawyer, there may be resources to assist you, and you may qualify for free legal services through legal aid.
CFPB. If you have a problem with debt collection and a debt you don’t owe because the bill should have been or has been covered by a Financial Assistance Plan or charity care, or if you have a problem with these bills being reported on your credit report, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372).