If You Cannot Afford a Hospital Bill, Financial Assistance Programs Exist in Every State — Here Is Where to Start
Most people who receive a hospital bill they cannot pay do not realize that the hospital itself may be required to help them. Federal law requires every nonprofit hospital in the country — which covers the majority of hospitals — to have a financial assistance program, sometimes called charity care, and to make that program available to patients who qualify. Depending on your income, that can mean a significant reduction in what you owe or a complete write-off of the bill.
This is a directory page. It links below to state-specific hospital bill assistance information for the states listed below. If you want to understand how hospital financial assistance works — income thresholds, how to apply, what happens to a bill that has already gone to collections, and what to do if you are denied — that is all covered on the non-profit hospital and charity care guide. Start there first if you are not sure what you qualify for. The nonprofit Dollar For at https://dollarfor.org/ can also help you apply for charity care at no cost.
One thing worth knowing before you contact your state program or the hospital directly: you have to ask. Hospitals are required to have these programs but they are not required to bring them up on their own. Call the hospital billing department, identify yourself as someone who needs financial assistance, and ask specifically for a charity care or financial assistance application. If the bill has already gone to a collections agency, contact the hospital billing department directly — not the collector — and ask whether a charity care application is still possible. In many cases it is.
For patients who need help beyond what the hospital can offer — including help with bills from doctors, specialists, or other providers — see the page about how to get help with medical costs which covers the broader range of options. For bills that have already aged into collections, see help with outstanding, past due medical debt.
Find hospital bill assistance programs in your state
Select your state below for information on hospital financial assistance programs, charity care requirements, and other state-specific resources.
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
New Hampshire
New Jersey
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Texas
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Disclaimer: Hospital financial assistance programs, eligibility thresholds, and state laws change. Verify current program details directly with the hospital or your state's relevant agency. This page provides general educational information and is not legal, medical or financial advice.
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