Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital is part of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and is covered by its Financial Assistance policy, FIN 03.0012, effective 6 February 2025.
Income limits
Measured against the Federal Poverty Guidelines for your family size:
- At or below 250% of FPG — free care.
- Above 250% and up to 600% of FPG — a cost-of-care discount.
Northwestern goes beyond what Illinois law requires. State law obliges hospitals to provide free care only up to 200% of the poverty level; this policy extends it to 250%.
Insured patients qualify too
This is the part most people do not expect. Insured Illinois residents at or below 250% of FPG are eligible for a 100% discount, and it is applied to co-insurance and deductibles as well as medically necessary services your insurance does not cover. Having a health plan does not rule you out.
A cap on catastrophic bills
For uninsured patients in the discounted band, total payment cannot exceed 20% of household income in any twelve-month period. The calculation includes what you owe both the hospitals and the Northwestern physician groups, not just one of them.
You may not need to apply at all
Presumptive eligibility can approve you without an application. Being enrolled in a low-income programme with a threshold at or below 250% of the poverty guidelines counts, including:
- WIC — Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program
- SNAP
- The Illinois Free Lunch and Breakfast Program
- LIHEAP — Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Homelessness, mental incapacitation with nobody to act for you, and Medicaid eligibility that did not apply on the date of service are also grounds.
Deadline
The deadline cannot be earlier than 240 days after the first post-discharge billing statement, or 30 days after you are given written notice of it, whichever falls later.
Conditions to watch
An approval lasts no more than 12 months, and you must tell Northwestern within 30 days if your financial situation changes. Failing to do so can affect your current assistance and any future application.
Illinois residency is required. Non-residents who are uninsured are not eligible. Specialty pharmacy services are excluded, as are fertility treatment, LASIK and similar corrective vision procedures, outside laboratory services, durable medical equipment, glasses, contacts and hearing aids when billed by the physician groups.