Many people today are having difficulty with paying the ever increasing costs of a hospital visit and resulting bills. Challenges are faced by patients who are uninsured and also by those who have health insurance - therefore everyone! But you do have options available to help pay off or save money on your hospital bills. Most hospitals offer various types of financial aid, including charity programs or they offer other relief to patients who need help and find details on state hospital bill programs below.

Whether you are uninsured or uninsured, trying to navigate thru the health care system to find help can be like threading your way through a maze. It is difficult at best, borderline impossible at worst. But you can find some suggestions and ways to get help here.

How to get assistance with hospital bills

There are a few key things to know. The first item that you need to know is that almost all hospital charges are negotiable. The primary reason being that private insurers and government insurance plans usually obtain discounts up to 75 percent off the list price of the surgery, hospital visit, and overall medical service. So if a service costs you $1000, a health insurance company would have an arrangement with the hospital in which they would pay only say $250. This is possible as insurance companies negotiate “bulk” rates with all medical providers. Find tips for how to negotiate hospital bills.

So, since these insurance groups (even including Medicaid) receive a major discount (75%+) on hospital bills, the under and uninsured patients also can get a substantial price break. Your goal should be to pay the same rate that an insurance company would pay the hospital or doctor for the health care service. In addition, if your household income is low enough, a 100 percent write-off/savings on your hospital bill is very possible from a charity service provided by the hospital.

Nonprofit hospitals are required to offer financial aid to patients that need help - whether they are low-income or not. Nonprofit hospitals are required by law to offer charity care/financial assistance. Anyone can apply. However a focus is on low-income patients and the uninsured. In addition the non-profits need to provide a written policy available to the public. As an example, using this site to search for “hospitals” or similar keywords can help you find one near you. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/search?q=hospital. Or use google and Search [Hospital Name] charity care

The federal government also requires that non-profit hospitals offer financial assistance as part of Affordable Care Act, also known as ACA or Obamacare. Many states also mandate that for-profit hospitals offer assistance as well. These programs can benefit low-income families, those living in poverty and people with no health insurance (among others). Learn more about financial assistance from hospitals.

The second key thing to know is that the burden to ask for the discount, or to save money, is on you. You need to ask for any financial support or discount on your hospital bills. The hospital, doctor, or medical provider is under no legal obligation to offer it to you, and they almost never will offer it to you. If you can’t get a discount from them, patients have another option available. Find how to settle your medical debts.

Many hospitals will also work with patients to help them get any medications they need. As in addition to a charity care from a hospital, they also often partner with drug companies or other groups to ensure the patient has the support they need when they leave the hospital - and that often means medications. Find prescription drug assistance programs if you need free or discounted medications.

Hill-Burton is a government program in which hundreds of hospitals need to offer free or reduced-cost care. Hospitals that received federal Hill-Burton funds from the federal government are legally required to provide free or low-cost care to people with no insurance or a low-income. Look here for details on the Hill-Burton Act or call the help line at 1-800-638-0742.

Find hospital assistance programs in your state

Select your state below for information on hospital bill assistance programs. As many have charity services or offer free medical care programs. Note most times the patient needs to apply in advance (before the hospital visit) or request charity care. But there are numerous assistance programs that can help you pay hospital bills, eliminate debt, and provide other aid.