Find your hospital's financial assistance office by searching its website, calling the billing department, or asking staff during a visit. Federal law requires nonprofit hospitals to make this information publicly available, and doing so can save you thousands of dollars on medical bills. The financial assistance office—also called charity care or patient financial services—helps patients who cannot afford medical bills. Understanding how to locate and apply for assistance matters because an estimated $26 billion in aid goes unclaimed every year when eligible patients never find out the programs exist.
Official resources:
- Apply through Consumerfinance’s official page — Use this page to review requirements and apply directly.
- Apply through Irs’s official page — Use this page to review requirements and apply directly.
Table of Contents
- Search Your Hospital's Website First
- Call or Visit the Billing Department
- Gather Your Financial Documents
- Know Your Application Timeline
- Frequently Asked Questions
Search Your Hospital's Website First
Start by visiting your hospital's main website and searching for terms like "financial assistance," "charity care," or "patient financial services." federal law requires all nonprofit hospitals to maintain a written financial assistance policy, and they must post it on their website, in the admissions area, and in the emergency department. Most hospitals place this information in a Billing, Patient Services, or Financial Assistance section and offer a downloadable PDF.
Look for phrases like "[hospital name] 501(r) FAP" (FAP stands for Financial Assistance Policy). If your hospital's website search does not work, try a Google search for "[hospital name] financial assistance policy.".
Call or Visit the Billing Department
If you cannot find the policy online, contact the hospital's billing or business office directly and request an application by mail. This is a routine request that hospitals handle every day. When you call, ask to speak with someone in patient financial services, financial assistance, or the billing department. Explain that you are interested in applying for financial assistance and ask them to mail you an application form and a copy of the hospital's written policy.
You can also request this by email if their website lists a contact address. If you are currently at the hospital, ask the admissions desk or any staff member for the materials in person—they are available immediately.
Gather Your Financial Documents
Before you submit an application, prepare the documents the hospital will request. You will need to provide recent tax returns, paystubs, bank statements, and proof of other income sources. Collect: If you lack some documents, provide what you have and explain in writing why the others are unavailable. Hospitals accept alternative evidence of income when standard documents do not apply.
- Two months of current paystubs or documentation of income
- Last year's federal tax return (1040)
- Current bank statements showing available cash
- Proof of any other income (Social Security, unemployment, disability, child support)
Know Your Application Timeline
You have significant time to apply for assistance after you receive a bill. Federal law requires nonprofit hospitals to accept applications for up to 240 days (about eight months) after they send your first bill and to provide written notice with a 30-day deadline before collection actions. The hospital must make a determination within 10 business days of receiving a complete application.
If you receive a collection notice, apply immediately—that 30-day period is your signal to act before the hospital escalates the debt further. The sooner you submit a complete application, the sooner the hospital can notify you of your eligibility and the assistance amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be uninsured to qualify for financial assistance?
No. Patients with insurance can qualify if they face high deductibles, copays, or other out-of-pocket costs they cannot afford. Each hospital sets its own eligibility standards.
What if my hospital says it does not have a financial assistance program?
All nonprofit hospitals are federally required to have one. If staff cannot locate it, ask to speak with a patient advocate or compliance officer. You can report the hospital to the Internal Revenue Service if it refuses to provide the policy.
How quickly will I know if I am approved?
The hospital must determine your eligibility and notify you within 10 business days of receiving your complete application. Submitting all documents at once speeds up the review process.