Hospital Financial Assistance
New York State law requires all hospitals to offer discounts to consumers who are uninsured, underinsured, or cannot afford to pay the full cost of their care. These discounts are called financial assistance. In order to apply for Hospital Financial Assistance, your bill must be for hospital-based services.
You may be eligible for hospital financial assistance if you have low to moderate income or if you can prove an inability to pay.
Who qualifies for financial assistance?
You may qualify for financial assistance if y our income is below 400% of FPL ($62,600 for a single person; $128,600 for a family of four in 2025) AND:
- You are uninsured, or
- You have health insurance, but your total out-of-pocket medical costs are greater than 10% of your household income before taxes, or
- You used insurance to cover the visit, but your benefits ran out before you were done needing care, AND
- You are a New York State resident
How much will I have to pay?
Hospitals apply a sliding scale discount to your bill if you qualify for financial assistance. Your cost will depend on your income. They should not consider your assets.
Hospitals also must offer payment plans capped at 5% of your family’s income.
There are no immigration requirements, and the hospital cannot ask about your status when you apply.
When and how do I apply?
You can apply for hospital financial assistance at any time. All hospitals in New York State must tell you about their hospital financial assistance programs during intake, registration, and at discharge. All hospitals must use the same simple application. Call the hospital billing department and ask for a financial assistance application or download a copy from the hospital’s website. You can also find the NYS universal Hospital Financial Assistance Application here. For the Spanish version, click here.
Hospitals cannot ask you for the following documents to complete your application: Tax returns, proof of citizenship, Social Security Number, bank statements, proof of assets, or monthly bills and expenses. You may choose to provide them if they help explain your financial situation.
I didn’t know about financial assistance before I went to the hospital. Is it too late to apply?
You can apply for financial assistance after you receive care at the hospital or in anticipation of needing care. Call the hospital billing department and ask for help applying for financial assistance.
The hospital already sent my bill to a collection agency. What can I do?
You can still apply for financial assistance and the hospital must not send your bill to collections while you apply. Hospital collection agencies must abide by the hospital’s financial assistance policy. Ask the collection agency how to apply.
If you need help applying for hospital financial assistance, please contact CHA at 888-614-5400 or find a local CHA Advocate here.
Debt Negotiation
If you have determined that you are responsible for the bill, you may consider negotiating the debt. Many non-hospital based providers also have financial assistance policies and are willing to negotiate. Click here for our Do-It-Yourself Debt Negotiation Packet. Download the packet in Spanish: Do It Yourself Debt Negotiation Packet – Spanish
Did you know in NY medical debt cannot be reported on your credit report? Click here for information: CHA Fair Medical Debt Reporting Act
Are you being sued for Medical Debt? Medical Debt Lawsuit DIY
As of November, 2022, a default judgment in a medical debt lawsuit cannot result in your wages being garnished (i.e., taken out of your paycheck) or a lien being placed on your home (i.e., the court cannot take any property you own to repay medical debt). See CHA’s one-pager on the ban for more details. CHA Ban on Liens Wage Garnishments
If you have questions or need further assistance with your medical bills, please contact CHA at 888-614-5400 or find a local CHA Advocate here.