Charity care is free or discounted hospital care for income-qualifying patients - and every nonprofit hospital must offer it, because section 501(r)(4) of the tax code requires a written financial assistance policy as a condition of tax-exempt status.
Policies spell out who qualifies (typically by income vs the federal poverty level: free below one line, sliding discounts above), what is covered, and how to apply. USA.gov confirms it can cover remaining costs even after insurance or Medicaid pay - it is for the underinsured too. To get it: ask the billing office for the financial assistance application (they must provide it), bring income proof, and know it often works retroactively on bills already in hand. The expensive mistake: paying by credit card or signing a payment plan before asking. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, and can help you prepare the ask.
What to do
Common questions
What is hospital charity care?
Charity care is free or discounted hospital care for patients whose income qualifies - and for most US hospitals it is a legal obligation, not a generosity. The hook: nonprofit hospitals (the majority of US hospitals) must maintain a written financial assistance policy under section 501(r)(4) of the tax code to keep their tax-exempt status - the IRS runs that requirement. The policy spells out who qualifies (typically by income relative to the federal poverty level, with free care below one line and sliding-scale discounts above it), what is covered, and how to apply. USA.gov confirms the practical reality: charity care can pick up remaining costs even after insurance or Medicaid have paid their part - it is for the underinsured as well as the uninsured. How to actually get it: ask the hospital billing office for the financial assistance application - they must provide it - and gather proof of income (pay stubs or a tax return); the application works retroactively on existing bills in many cases, so a large bill already on your desk is still eligible. The behavior that costs people thousands: paying with a credit card or taking the first payment plan before asking about charity care. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can help you prepare the ask.