Imagine opening a hospital bill for $12,000 after an unexpected emergency room visit. You have health insurance, but your deductible and out-of-pocket expenses are still more than you can comfortably afford. You start considering a payment plan, dipping into retirement savings, or putting the balance on a credit card. But what if the hospital has a program that could reduce your bill significantly or even eliminate it?
Many Americans don’t realize that certain hospitals are required to maintain financial assistance policies for patients who cannot afford their medical bills. Under federal rules established by the Internal Revenue Service, nonprofit hospitals that qualify for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) must have written financial assistance policies explaining who qualifies for free or discounted care. These programs, commonly called hospital financial assistance or charity care, can provide meaningful relief to eligible patients, including some people who already have health insurance. Here is what patients need to know.
