Expert Guide to Medical Billing Assistance in All 50 States

Few things are more frustrating or overwhelming than large sum medical bills. They’re like an anchor weighing you down and keeping you from living your best life. To combat high medical bills, states’ federal government offers financial assistance programs, mostly through government health insurance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

However, not everyone qualifies for these benefits. Additionally, every state has different rules and regulations about who can qualify and who doesn’t. Therefore, it’s important to know the laws and requirements pertaining to medical bill assistance for the state in which you live. By knowing the rules and regulations for your state, you can find out who qualifies for financial assistance on medical bills and how to get it.

Table Of Contents

How Medical Billing Assistance Can Help
Medical Billing Assistance by State
Organizations That Assist With Medical Billing
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Billing Assistance
Who to Contact for Top-Notch Medical Billing Assistance?

How Medical Billing Assistance Can Help

Medical bills are confusing, irritating, and can accumulate extremely fast. A single night in a hospital emergency room can equate to thousands of dollars, all of which you’ll have to pay if you don’t have health insurance. That is, of course, unless you seek medical billing assistance. Here are the main benefits of seeking medical billing assistance from a healthcare advocate.

Assistance paying large sums of medical bills

While medical billing assistance won’t directly pay for your medical expenses, they can help you find people that will. A healthcare advocate will help find foundations, charities, and government policies to help pay for your medical bills.

Here are some of the top government programs and organizations to consider.

Medicare
Medicaid
Extra Help
Supplemental Security Income
Health Insurance Marketplace
Patient Advocate Foundation

Assistance checking medical bills for errors

Medical bills are extremely confusing and lengthy, especially if you’re unfamiliar with them. There may be errors, redundancies, and overcharges in your medical bills. However, only people familiar with medical billing can quickly spot these infractions.

Help with financial assistance applications.

If you qualify for financial assistance from government or private organizations, you must fill out the included application correctly. Medical bill advocates can help you with this process and ensure you fill out the applications correctly.

Medical Billing Assistance by State

As we said before, every state has different requirements for receiving medical billing assistance and financial aid. However, no matter where you’re located, healthcare advocates, organizations, and providers can assist you.

Alabama Medical Billing

As with many states, the primary form of assistance with medical bills in Alabama is through Medicaid. However, all states are different regarding Medicaid eligibility requirements and additional financial assistance options if you don’t qualify for Medicaid or Medicare.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for Alabama Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and an Alabama resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Alabama. Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Alabama Medicaid. You must check one of the following:

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
Blind
You or a family member in your household has a disability
Be 65 or older

In addition to Medicaid, many state programs are designed to help people who can’t afford medications and other forms of medical care. Finally, there are state-funded programs in Alabama for those who need help with bills, housing, and other everyday problems because of issues with medical assistance.

Financial Requirements

As with most medical assistance programs, there are strict financial requirements to be eligible for Medicaid. Alabama bases theirs on your total household income, before taxes, and household size. For example, if you have a family of four, your total income must be less than $36,908.

If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, you can try numerous other state-funded programs. Additionally, most, if not all, hospitals in Alabama have to offer financial planning and aid programs to their patients.

Where to Sign Up

If you want to sign up for Medicaid in Alabama, you can do so here. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Alaska Medical Billing

Alaska has two basic options for broad-encompassing state and federal medical assistance programs. Alaska offers several different types of Medicaid to its residents to accommodate people of all ages. However, the best option for those who don’t qualify for Medicaid is Chronic and Acute Medical Assistance (CAMA).

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for Medicaid in Alaska, you must check one of the following boxes:

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
Blind
You or a family member in your household has a disability
Be 65 or older
Be under the age of 19 and do not have health insurance.

If you don’t qualify for or prefer Medicaid, here are the eligibility requirements for CAMA. You must be able to check each of these boxes for CAMA eligibility.

Have a covered medical condition which includes a terminal illness of any kind, cancer that requires chemotherapy, diabetes, or chronic diseases, including seizure disorders, mental illness, or hypertension.
Do not have third-party assistance to help you with financial coverage of the medical condition.
Fall within the financial requirement bracket.
Be a US citizen or legal alien.

As with most states, Alaska also offers additional financial and medical assistance programs that are state-funded.

Financial Requirements

The financial requirements for CAMA are very straightforward. For a single person, you must earn less than $300 per month. For two people, you must earn less than $400 per month. For each additional member of your household, add $100.

For Medicaid, Alaska has unique requirements that vary from person to person and place to place. To see if you qualify for Alaska Medicaid, you can enter your information here.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up online for Medicaid after completing the information in the link above. You can also fill out a paper application and submit it via mail or fax. For CAMA, you’ll have to submit an application in person at your local Department for Public Assistance office.

You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Arizona Medical Billing

Arizona has unique rules when it comes to qualifying for medical billing assistance. They offer two tiers of free and discounted care. Keep in mind that these rules apply to hospitals in Arizona and are separate from Medicaid and other state and federal-funded financial assistance programs.

If you are uninsured or under-insured with a family income of up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, you may be eligible for medical services at no cost. You are entitled to discounted care if you are uninsured or underinsured and have an annual family income between 200% and 500% of the Federal Poverty level.

Additionally, several state-funded programs help those in need of medical billing assistance. Each program has its eligibility requirements and caters to people of different ages and needs.

Eligibility Requirements

In Arizona, everyone qualifies for the above benefits and medical assistance if they fall within the financial parameters. However, if you don’t qualify or only qualify for partial assistance, you can sign up for the Arizona Medical Assistance Program, which is their version of Medicaid.

To be eligible for Arizona Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and an Alabama resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Arizona. Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Arizona Medicaid. You must check one of the following boxes:

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 17 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

Arizona bases financial eligibility on your total household income (before taxes) and household size. For example, if you have a household of four people, your total income has to be less than $36,908.

If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, you can try numerous other state-funded programs. Additionally, it’s required for most, if not all, hospitals in Alabama to offer financial planning and aid programs to their patients.

Where to Sign Up

You can apply online for Arizona Medical Assistance Program. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Arkansas Medical Billing

In Arkansas, you can qualify for medical billing assistance if you fall within a certain level below the federal income level. You can use this chart to see if you’re eligible based on your income and household size. Additionally, there are tax benefits and credits that you may qualify for depending on your income and the size of your household. Arkansas hospitals must divulge this information to you, assist you with the signup process, and see if you qualify.

In addition to tax benefits and financial assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services based on your income, there is an abundance of state and government-funded programs unique to Arkansas.

Eligibility Requirements

As in all states, however, your best bet for financial assistance with medical bills is courtesy of Medicaid. To be eligible for Arkansas Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and an Arkansas resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Arkansas. Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Arkansas Medicaid. You must check one of the following boxes:

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 17 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind.
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

Arkansas bases financial eligibility on your total household income before taxes and household size. For example, if you have a household of four people, your total income has to be less than $36,908.

If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, you can try numerous other state-funded programs. Additionally, it’s required for hospitals in Arkansas to offer financial planning and aid programs to their patients.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid and additional state and government-funded programs here. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

California Medical Billing

California is one of the top states for helping patients with financial difficulties and needs. Nearly all hospitals, private and public, in California have programs that provide discounted or free care to those within certain financial categories. Hospitals in California get required by federal law to do this.

Eligibility Requirements

While hospitals are required to offer free or discounted care to patients in need, it sometimes isn’t enough. When that’s the case, you should sign up for Medi-Cal, California’s version of Medicaid.

To be eligible for California Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a California resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien, as long as you’re a resident of California. Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for California Medicaid. You must check one of the following boxes:

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 21 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

The typical eligibility based on gross income for free care in California is 350% of the federal poverty level, although some providers go up to 400% or even 500%. While these are general guidelines, every hospital has different requirements based on finances.

You can search for the policies of specific hospitals here to find out if you qualify for assistance from your hospital or if you need to transfer.

To qualify for Medi-Cal, you must fall into a specific financial category based on your income and household size. For example, if you have a household of 3, your total income before taxes must be no more than $30,630.

Where to Sign Up

You can apply for Medi-Cal online by filling out the necessary application. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Colorado Medical Billing

Like California, Colorado is exceptional when it comes to medical billing assistance. All Colorado hospitals are required to offer financial assistance programs to those who qualify. This assistance applies to uninsured patients who earn less than 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. At a MINIMUM, eligible people shouldn’t have to pay more than the lowest negotiated rate from an insurance company.

Keep in mind, however, that this is at a minimum, and some hospitals will require you to pay even less.

Additionally, all hospitals in Colorado are required to do the following.

Have information about their financial assistance policies readily available to their patients.
Screen patients upon admittance to see if they qualify.
Have reasonable payment plans and a thirty-day grace period following a missed payment before sending your bill to collections.
Payment plans can’t exceed more than 4% of the patient’s total income, except for bills from healthcare professionals, where the monthly cost can’t be higher than 2%.
After 36 payments, the remainder of the bill gets forgiven.

Additionally, there are several state, local, and federally funded programs designed to assist people with medical billing assistance.

Eligibility Requirements

Every hospital in Colorado has different eligibility requirements. However, if you don’t qualify for help from a hospital or local charity, you may qualify for assistance from Health First Colorado, Colorado’s version of Medicaid.

To be eligible for Colorado Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a Colorado resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Colorado. Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Colorado Medicaid. You must check one of the following boxes:

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

To qualify for Health First Colorado, you must fall into a specific financial category based on your income and household size. For example, if you have a household of 2, your total income before taxes must be no more than $24,353. To qualify for medical billing assistance from your hospital, you must earn less than 250% of the federal poverty level.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid online at Colorado Peak, as in-person applications aren’t available at this time. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Connecticut Medical Billing

As with most states, Connecticut has its version of free and discounted care for patients in financial need. They also offer several state and federal financial assistance programs to help those saddled with hefty medical bills.

Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements for free or discounted healthcare vary from hospital to hospital. On average, however, you will qualify for free care if you earn 150% to 300% less than the federal poverty line. You’ll be eligible for a discounted bill if you earn between 250% and 500% less than the national poverty line. Once again, where you fall in the poverty threshold depends on your household size and total income before taxes.

In general, however, you’ll likely qualify for free healthcare if you make less than double the federal poverty level in Connecticut.

If you don’t qualify for financial benefits from your hospital or a state or local program, you may qualify for Connecticut Medicaid. To be eligible for Connecticut Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a Connecticut resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Connecticut.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Connecticut Medicaid. You must check one of the following boxes:

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

Connecticut bases financial eligibility on your total household income before taxes and household size. For example, if you have a household of four people, your total income has to be less than $36,908.

Once again, every hospital has its policy regarding finances and qualifying for free or discounted care. Check your specific hospital for its guidelines.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid online at ConneCT. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Delaware Medical Billing

Delaware offers numerous options when it comes to medical billing assistance. Every hospital is required by law to provide free or discounted healthcare to its patients. Additionally, various local, state and federal financial assistance programs help Delaware residents.

Here are a few top options for medical billing assistance in Delaware.

Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements will vary from hospital to hospital in Delaware. For hospitals, the supervising physician determines eligibility on a case-to-case basis. You may be eligible for Delaware Medicaid if you don’t qualify for help from your hospital or a state or local charity.

To be eligible for Delaware Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a Delaware resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Delaware.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Delaware Medicaid. You must check one of the following boxes:

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

All hospitals in Delaware are required to offer financial assistance to patients depending on their income status. Generally, you’ll qualify for free or discounted healthcare if your income is at or below 250% of the national poverty level.

Delaware bases financial eligibility for Medicaid on your total household income before taxes and household size. Enter your information here to determine if you qualify for Medicaid in Delaware.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid online at Delaware Assist and submit your application to DSS. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Florida Medical Billing

Financial assistance with your medical bills in Florida can come through your hospital, Medicaid, or other state and local charities and programs. However, as with all states, the financial and eligibility requirements differ in Florida.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for Medicaid in Florida gets determined by either the Department of Children and Families or the Social Security Administration. In most cases, to qualify for Medicaid, you must be a US citizen and a resident of the state of Florida. However, due to the high rate of immigration, there are special Medicaid benefits for non-citizens with medical emergencies.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Delaware Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Additionally, Florida has a Medically Needy Program for those who don’t quite qualify for Medicaid. There’s also the Florida Discount Drug Card Program and Florida RX Card.com.

Financial Requirements

In most cases, you will qualify for free or discounted hospital care if your income is between 200% and 300% of the federal poverty threshold. Your total income determines your spot on the poverty threshold before taxes and your household size. Additionally, you qualify for discounted care if your bill exceeds $1,500 and your income is between 200% and 400% of the poverty threshold.

These policies vary from hospital to hospital, but all healthcare facilities get required by law to offer these benefits.

Florida also bases financial eligibility for Medicaid on your total household income before taxes and your household size. Enter your information here to determine if you qualify for Medicaid in Florida.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid at the Florida Medicaid website. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Georgia Medical Billing

People who require medical billing assistance in Georgia have several options. For starters, most hospitals in Georgia offer free or discounted care if your total income is less than 300% of the federal poverty level. If you’re above the 300% mark, you may qualify for another program, the Catastrophic Financial Assistance program.

Additionally, many state and federal financial aid programs assist low-income Georgians with their medical bills.

Eligibility Requirements

Outside of the hospital or a local charity, Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids are the best options for financial assistance with your medical bills in Georgia. In most cases, to qualify for Medicaid, you must be a US citizen and a resident of the state of Georgia. However, due to the high rate of immigration, there are special Medicaid benefits for non-citizens with medical emergencies.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Delaware Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 19 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older
Require nursing home care

If you’re under the age of 19, you may qualify for PeachCare depending on your family’s total income and household size. PeachCare for Kids is essentially the minor version of Medicaid.

Financial Requirements

Whether or not you qualify for Medicaid and other financial benefits in Georgia depends on your household size and total income before taxes. For hospitals, qualification varies from hospital to hospital depending on your total income and the size of your household in relation to the federal poverty level.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medical Assistance in Georgia by going online, calling 877-423-4746, or going in person to your local DFCS office. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Hawaii Medical Billing

In addition to having excellent medical billing assistance programs and policies, Hawaii also has special protection against surprise bills. Protection against surprise billing applies mostly to emergency services but can also apply to other medical bills.

State law also requires hospitals to offer Financial Assistance Programs to their patients. While each hospital can make its policy and regulations, they’re required to offer free care to anyone whose income is less than 200% of the federal poverty threshold. They’re also required to offer discounts to anyone whose income is within 200 to 400% of the federal poverty threshold.

A few top medical billing assistance programs in Hawaii include the Premium Assistance Program and Quest.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for hospital benefits varies from hospital to hospital. To be eligible for Quest, Hawaii’s version of Medicaid, you must be a resident of Hawaii, uninsured, and a US citizen or legal alien. You must also be 18 years old or have a primary caregiver over 18. You should also be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 19 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older
Require nursing home care

Financial Requirements

Eligibility for all medical financial aid policies in Hawaii depends on your total annual household income before taxes, the size of your household, and what percentage you are above or below the federal poverty level.

For Quest, however, where you lie on the poverty threshold doesn’t matter. Instead, Quest uses a table based on your income and household size.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Quest online or in person. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Idaho Medical Billing

Regarding medical assistance with billing and other monetary issues, Idaho is slightly more open-ended than other states. They have various state and local entities that assist low-income families with their medical bills, and they all have their policies. However, most of these entities in Idaho are more lenient and take things on a case-by-case basis than in other states.

In addition to Medicaid and other federal programs, Idaho also offers community aid in every county in Idaho. This program is known as the Catastrophic Health Care Costs Program and applies to patients whose medical bill is higher than $11,000. They can also apply for up to $11,000 in benefits via County Assistance.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for County Assistance or the Catastrophic Health Care Costs Program, you must only be a legal resident of Idaho. According to Idaho law, a resident of Idaho pertains to anyone living in the state for longer than 30 days, excluding those residing temporarily.

If you don’t qualify for either of these programs and your hospital isn’t helping out, you may qualify for Idaho Medicaid. To be eligible for Idaho Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and an Idaho resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Idaho.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Idaho Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

Financial qualification for Medicaid depends on your household size and your total household income before taxes. For instance, if you have a family of 6, your total income must be less than $49,463.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Idaho Medicaid by calling 1-800-926-2588 or filling out an application at your local Department of Health and Welfare office. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Illinois Medical Billing

In recent years, Illinois passed the Fair Patient Billing Act to ensure that Illinois hospitals act fair and just with their medical billing. Under this act, Illinois hospitals get required to do the following.

Ensure that each patient knows they may qualify for financial assistance.
Have their financial assistance policies distributed and available.
A very detailed description of what you’re getting billed and why.
Notify patients that they can get an itemized description of their bill.

However, every hospital is entitled to have its standards for who qualifies for financial assistance. In most cases, free or discounted care gets reserved for those who fall within 150% to 400% of the national poverty line. The exception to this rule is if you go to a free clinic or hospital.

Eligibility Requirements

Aside from individual hospitals, Medicaid is the best option for financial assistance in Illinois. To be eligible for Illinois Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and an Illinois resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Illinois.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Illinois Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

In addition to Medicaid, Illinois has many state and local programs to assist those with medical billing.

Financial Requirements

Financial eligibility is a big part of all financial assistance programs in Illinois, including Medicaid. Qualification for Illinois Medicaid is based on a sliding scale of your income and the total number of people in your household. For example, a family of two can’t have a total income before taxes greater than $25,268.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid by contacting the Health Benefits hotline at 1-800-843-6154. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Indiana Medical Billing

To qualify for assistance with medical bills in Indiana, you have to fall below a certain level of the national poverty line. While each hospital has the right to make its own rules, all Indiana hospitals must offer some form of the financial assistance program. In most cases, if your total income, based on your household size, is less than 200% of the national poverty level, you’ll qualify for free medical care. If you’re between 200% and 300%, you’ll receive discounted medical care up to 90% off.

Indiana also has laws prohibiting “surprise bills” from your healthcare provider, which fall under the No Surprises Act.

Eligibility Requirements

In addition to individual hospitals, many charities and foundations in Indiana are set up to assist people with financial billing. However, you may be eligible for Medicaid if you don’t qualify for hospital or local benefits.

To be eligible for Indiana Medicaid, you must be a US citizen or legal alien and a resident of Indiana. You must also have an income classified as low or very low. Indiana is slightly more restrictive than other states in who is eligible for Medicaid. In most cases, it gets reserved for blind, disabled, or older adults over the age of 65. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, you’ll likely qualify for the Healthy Indiana Plan.

Financial Requirements

Eligibility for both Medicaid and the Healthy Indiana Plan is based on your total household income before taxes and your household size.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up online for Medicaid at the Indiana Medicaid website. You can also sign up for the Healthy Indiana Plan at their website. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Iowa Medical Billing

As with most states, hospitals in Iowa get required to offer financial assistance programs to low-income patients. While each hospital can make its own rules and regulations, they’re required to provide financial assistance to anyone whose total income is within 350% of the national poverty line. Iowa has more than a dozen state and local programs to assist people with medical bills.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for financial aid from hospitals, you must meet the following criteria.

A documented resident of Iowa.
Provide proof of income from all sources of income in your household.
Comply with the Medicaid eligibility process regarding the hospital in question.

Iowa hospitals must also have knowledgeable staff and financial advocates to explain your rights.

You may also qualify for Iowa Medicaid if you don’t qualify for other forms of financial assistance. To be eligible for Iowa Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and an Iowa resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Iowa.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Iowa Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

All of Iowa’s financial assistance programs depend on your household size and your combined household’s total income. For example, if you live in a one-person household, you can’t earn more than $18,075 before taxes. Also, you likely won’t qualify for financial assistance if you are more than 350% above the national poverty line.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid online or by filling out an application and taking it to your local Department of Human Services office. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Kansas Medical Billing

All Kansas hospitals must offer financial assistance programs to their residents. However, these only apply to people at or below 300% of the National Poverty Line. You likely qualify for free healthcare if your family income is below or equal to 200% of the poverty line. However, you may qualify for discounted healthcare if you’re between 200% and 300%.

Each hospital in Kansas can make its own rules and regulations. Additionally, most hospitals provide financial assistance to families facing medical bills equal to or more than 50% of their annual income. Several state and federal programs also assist low-income families with hefty medical bills.

Eligibility Requirements

You may also qualify for Kansas Medicaid if you don’t qualify for other forms of financial assistance. To be eligible for Kansas Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a Kansas resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Kansas.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Kansas Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

In addition to Medicaid, Kansas also offers the following programs.

KanCare
Children’s Health Insurance Program
MediKan
SOBRA

Financial Requirements

All of Kansas’ financial assistance programs depend on your household size and your combined household’s total income. For example, if you live in a one-person household, you can’t earn more than $18,075 before taxes.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid and Kansas’ other financial assistance programs online or in person. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Kentucky Medical Billing

While Kentucky hospitals can establish their own rules and guidelines, all Kentucky hospitals must offer financial assistance programs to low-income patients. Anyone whose family income places them within 250% or 300% of the federal poverty level is entitled to free healthcare, depending on your hospital. Additionally, anyone whose family income is between 250% and 400% of the poverty line is entitled to discounted healthcare.

Some hospitals will even assist you if you’re income is up to 1,200% of the poverty level.

If you don’t qualify for financial assistance from your hospital in Kentucky, you might qualify for other state and federal programs, including Medicaid.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for Kentucky Medicaid and other medical assistance programs in Kentucky, you must be a citizen of the United States and a Kentucky resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Kentucky.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Kentucky Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Medicaid has associated programs to assist those with financial billing in long-term nursing facilities or home-based medical care.

Financial Requirements

All of Kentucky’s financial assistance programs depend on your household size and your combined household’s total income. You may qualify for Medicaid and other forms of assistance if you’re insured or receive help from a third party, but it’s more limited and difficult.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid online, in person, or over the phone by contacting the Department for Community-Based Services. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Louisiana Medical Billing

Like most states, all hospitals in Louisiana get required to offer financial assistance programs to their low-income patients. They must also notify patients that they may qualify for financial assistance and provide an advocate upon request. While each hospital can make its own rules and regulations, most people whose annual household income is within 200% of the federal poverty line are entitled to free healthcare.

Depending on your hospital, there are additional benefits if your income is between 200% and 500% of the poverty line. A number of state-funded programs offer financial assistance for medical bills to patients.

Medicaid
LaChip Affordable Plan
Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans
Many More

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for Medicaid and all other financial assistive programs in Louisiana, you must be a citizen of the United States and a Louisiana resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Louisiana.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Louisiana Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability
Be blind or have vision poorer than 20/200
Are uninsured and need breast or cervical cancer treatment
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

All of Louisiana’s financial assistance programs depend on your household size and your combined household’s total income. While hospitals offer assistance to those whose incomes are between 200% and 500% of the national poverty level, Medicaid offers assistance to those whose income is less than 138% of the poverty line.

Where to Sign Up

You can apply for Medicaid and other forms of financial assistance online or in person. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Maine Medical Billing

As with all hospitals, Maine has federal laws to ensure that every hospital offers financial aid and assistance to select patients. Qualification depends on your level of income and the size of your household. Every hospital can make its policies, but generally, anyone whose income is less than 200% of the national poverty level is entitled to free care. However, it’s up to each hospital what the cut-off is for discounted care.

Maine also offers special programs to assist veterans, the elderly, and disabled individuals with medical billing. There are also several state and federal programs in Maine that offer financial assistance to select individuals.

Eligibility Requirements

You may also qualify for MaineCare, Maine’s version of Medicaid, if you don’t qualify for other forms of financial assistance. To be eligible for MaineCare and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a Maine resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien, as long as you’re a resident of Maine.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for MaineCare. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

Financial eligibility for MaineCare, free care from your hospital, and other programs in Maine depend on your household size and income. Each program, on a case-by-case basis, determines eligibility by using a sliding scale. In general, however, if you’re total income is between 100% and 200% of the national poverty level, you’ll qualify for Medicaid and other financial assistance programs.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for MaineCare online or in person. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Maryland Medical Billing

Maryland does an exceptionally good job of helping low-income families with their medical bills. They offer several programs, including Medicaid, Medicare Buy-In, Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program, Long Term Care Medical Assistance, Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, and Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary.

Maryland is also passing a new bill in 2022, the Medical Bill Reimbursement Act, to refund money to low-income patients they wrongly collected.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Maryland Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a Maryland resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Maryland.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Maryland Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 17 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

Financial eligibility for Maryland Medical Assistance, free care from your hospital, and other programs in Maryland depend on your household size and income. Eligibility gets determined by each program using a sliding scale. In general, however, if you’re total income is between 200% and 300% of the national poverty level, you’ll qualify for Medicaid and other financial assistance programs.

Additionally, all hospitals in Maryland are required to provide free medical care to patients if their family income is less than 200% of the national poverty line. They must also provide discounted care to those within 200% to 500% of the poverty line.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Maryland Medical Assistance online or in person. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Massachusetts Medical Billing

Like other states, all Massachusetts hospitals must offer financial aid and programs to low-income patients. However, unlike other states, hospitals in Massachusetts don’t always specify between free versus discounted healthcare. In most cases, if you earn within 300% of the national poverty level, you’ll receive some form of free or discounted healthcare. However, each hospital reserves to right to make its distinctions and qualifications.

Hospitals must also offer affordable payment plans based on individuals’ income. Finally, most hospitals in Massachusetts offer a 25% discount to patients when they set up a payment plan within thirty days of receiving their bill.

Eligibility Requirements

While Medicaid is the major form of financial assistance outside the hospital, several state-run programs provide medical billing assistance in Massachusetts.

Children’s Medical Security Program
Health Connector
Health Safety Net

To qualify for MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid) or either of these three programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and an Iowa resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Iowa.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Iowa Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

There are no financial requirements for disabled individuals who want to qualify for MassHealth. However, financial eligibility for MassHealth, free care from your hospital, and other programs in Massachusetts depend on your household size and income. Eligibility gets determined by each hospital and program using a sliding scale. In general, however, you’re entitled to free or discounted care if you fall between 200% and 500% of the poverty line.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for MassHealth and other financial assistance programs online or in person. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Michigan Medical Billing

All hospitals in Michigan are required to offer medical billing assistance to patients whose incomes are less than 300% of the national poverty level. They’re also required to assist patients whose hospital bills are equal to or greater than 25% of their total annual income. Every Michigan hospital can make its own rules and cut-off line for who receives financial assistance and how much.

Michigan hospitals must also have information about their financial policies readily available and publicized throughout the hospital. They must also have a financial advocate available upon request of the patient. Finally, Michigan hospitals aren’t allowed to spring surprise charges on their patients and must provide a detailed bill upon request.

Eligibility Requirements

You may also qualify for Michigan Medicaid if you don’t qualify for other forms of financial assistance. To be eligible for Michigan Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a Michigan resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Michigan.

Michigan Medicaid is more comprehensive and readily available than in many other states. Eligibility is largely based on age, financial status, and household size. It’s available to insure and uninsured individuals as long as they’re classified as low-income.

In addition to Medicaid, Michigan offers several state and federal programs to assist people with medical bills, including MIChild. Each program has its eligibility requirements, but they’re based on finances and family size.

Financial Requirements

Financial eligibility for Michigan Medicare, free care from your hospital, and other programs in Maine depends on your household size and income. Eligibility is determined by each program on a case-by-case basis using a sliding scale. In general, however, if you’re total income is between 150% and 400% of the national poverty level, you’ll qualify for Medicaid and other financial assistance programs.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Michigan Medicaid online or in person at your local DHS office. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Minnesota Medical Billing

While Minnesota offers discounts for families based on their financial status in relation to the national poverty level, it isn’t as comprehensive as in many other states. Hospitals in Minnesota are required to offer tax credits to patients whose income level is within 200% of the national poverty level. However, the tax credit amount varies greatly from hospital to hospital. Some hospitals don’t offer any at all.

Hospitals are, however, required to offer affordable payment plans and are restricted on how they can bill and what they can bill for.

Eligibility Requirements

Because financial assistance is more difficult to receive from hospitals in Minnesota, many people turn to Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare for help. Medical Assistance is Minnesota’s Medicaid program, while MinnesotaCare can help those who don’t qualify for Medicaid.

To be eligible for Minnesota Medicare (Medical Assistance) and other financial assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and an Iowa resident. This includes qualifying for MinnesotaCare. You also qualify for these programs if you’re a legal alien, as long as you’re a resident of Minnesota.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Minnesota Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older
You need assistance paying for long-term nursing facility or home health care

Financial Requirements

Financial eligibility for Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, free care from your hospital, and other programs in Minnesota depend on your household size and income. Eligibility is determined by each program on a case-by-case basis using a sliding scale. In general, however, if you’re total income is between 200% and 300% of the national poverty level, you’ll qualify for financial assistance.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up online or in person for Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Mississippi Medical Billing

Unlike many states, Mississippi has no broad-sweeping laws requiring them to provide financial assistance to their patients. However, most of them do, but not to the degree or with the same consistency as other states. It’s currently estimated that nearly 20% of Mississippians are sued for unpaid medical debt.

Mississippi is also among the national leaders in sending patients hospital bills they aren’t legally obligated to pay. While hospitals aren’t supposed to send surprise bills or do balance billing, they often do. Hospitals in Mississippi also are required to have information about financial assistance and financial advocates readily available, but many of them fail to do so.

Eligibility Requirements

Since Mississippi hospitals are unreliable, the main form of financial assistance in Mississippi is courtesy of Medicaid, CHIP, and other government-funded organizations. To be eligible for Mississippi Medicaid, CHIP, and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a Mississippi resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Mississippi.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Mississippi Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

Financial eligibility for Mississippi Medicaid and CHIP depends on your household size and annual income before taxes. Eligibility is determined on a sliding scale, starting at just over $18,000 for a household of one person.

Additionally, while not all of them do, many Mississippi hospitals are starting to offer financial assistance programs. Typically, if your annual income is within 200% of the national poverty level in Mississippi, you’re entitled to free healthcare. However, this number can range from 200% to 350% and provides discounts of varying amounts.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Mississippi Medicaid and CHIPs online or in person. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Missouri Medical Billing

Missouri is one of the few states that doesn’t have a mandatory free care law requiring hospitals to offer free care to low-income families. However, while the law doesn’t explicitly require it, most hospitals offer some form of financial assistance in Missouri. At the same time, Missouri is also fairly aggressive at pursuing unpaid hospital debts compared to surrounding states.

Although they aren’t required by law, most hospitals in Missouri offer free care to patients between 0% and 200% of the federal poverty level. They then provide discounted care for patients with an income between 200% and 300% of the poverty level. However, each hospital has its rules, requirements, and criteria for who they provide free care and how much discount they get.

Eligibility Requirements

If you aren’t getting medical billing assistance from your hospital in Missouri, your best bet for financial assistance is through Medicaid, Medicare for seniors, and Social Security Disability. Social Security disability is reserved for those who can’t work because of a disability, and Medicare is reserved for those over the age of 65.

Medicaid, or MO HealthNet, in Missouri, is your best option if you’re under the age of 65. In 2021, Missouri changed its eligibility requirements for Medicaid. MO HealthNet is now available to all residents of Missouri who are US citizens or legal aliens, regardless of their health status. The only requirement to be eligible for MO HealthNet is for your total family income to be within a certain percentage of the national poverty level.

Financial Requirements

Financial eligibility for MO HealthNet and other programs in Missouri depends on your household size and income. Eligibility is determined by each program on a case-by-case basis using a sliding scale. For example, if you have a household of two people, you can earn no more than $24,353 as a household before taxes.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for MO HealthNet online or in person at your local Department of Social Services office. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Montana Medical Billing

Montana is another state that doesn’t have any state or federal laws requiring free or discounted care for low-income families. In fact, Montana is typically behind other states when it comes to charitable care, often running 2% behind the rest. However, most Montana hospitals, and all the major ones, offer some degree of free or discounted healthcare.

There’s a big disparity, however, between the different hospitals. Some start their free care discounts when your family income is within 100% of the national poverty line, while others start at 200%. Some hospitals offer discounts to families with incomes up to 400% of the poverty line, while others cap theirs at 200%. Each hospital makes its own rules and cut-off line regarding medical billing assistance policies.

Eligibility Requirements

If you aren’t eligible for financial assistance from your hospital, several federal programs in Montana could help. The top option for individuals under 65 is Medicaid or the Children Special Health Services Financial Assistance Program (CSHS). CSHS is for people under the age of 21 who has or is at risk for having a chronic or serious health condition. You must also be enrolled in Healthy Montana Kids if you’re eligible.

Montana Medicaid, on the other hand, is for all residents of Montana under the age of 65. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Montana.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Montana Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Some qualify who are 18 and younger

Financial Requirements

Financial eligibility for Montana Medicare and CSHS depends on your household size and income. Eligibility is determined by each program on a case-by-case basis using a sliding scale. In general, however, if you’re total income is between 100% and 200% of the national poverty level, you’ll qualify for Medicaid, CSHS, and other financial assistance programs.

Where to Sign Up

You can apply for these programs online or in person. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Nebraska Medical Billing

Despite not requiring hospitals to have uniform guidelines about free and discounted patient care, Nebraska is one of the top states. Nebraska provides more than a billion dollars in free and charitable care to low-income families annually, and many of its hospitals have generous financial assistance programs. However, each hospital has the right to make its own rules and criteria regarding free care.

Eligibility Requirements

If you don’t qualify for financial assistance from your hospital for some reason, you may qualify for Nebraska Medicaid. Nebraska Medicaid is the number one source of financial assistance for medical bills in Nebraska. To be eligible for Nebraska Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a Nebraska resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Nebraska.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Nebraska Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Former foster care youth
Less than 18 years old
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

If you’re under the age of 18, you may also be eligible for CHIP, a Medicaid expansion for children.

Financial Requirements

Financial eligibility for Medicaid, CHIP, free care from your hospital, and other programs in Nebraska depends on your household size and income. Eligibility is determined by each program on a case-by-case basis using a sliding scale. In general, however, if you’re total income is between 100% and 200% of the national poverty level, you’ll qualify for Medicaid and other financial assistance programs.

Where to Sign Up

You can apply for Medicaid and CHIP online or in person at your local Department of Health and Human Services office. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Nevada Medical Billing

Nevada is unique in its requirements for hospitals to offer free care to low-income patients. According to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, “Pursuant to NRS 439B, hospitals with 100 or more beds, located in a county where at least two hospitals are operating that have 100 or more beds, will be assessed an annual amount of inpatient hospital care that must be provided to patients deemed as “Indigent.” The DHCFP assesses this annual amount as equal to 0.6 % of the net revenue for the hospital’s preceding fiscal year.”

So, while Nevada requires some degree of free healthcare, they don’t require it of all hospitals. Hospitals in Nevada are also allowed to determine what level of discounted care patients receive and how much. In most cases, however, if you’re total income is between 150% and 400% of the national poverty level, you’ll receive free or discounted care.

Eligibility Requirements

If you don’t qualify for assistance from your hospital, you may qualify for one of Nevada’s state or federal-run medical billing assistance programs.

Medicaid
Nevada Checkup
Senior Rx
Disability Rx
Nevada Primary Care Association
Community Health Alliance
Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada
Northern Nevada HOPES

Each program’s eligibility depends on your income, family size, living status, age, and other factors. In general, however, you must be able to check at least one of these boxes to qualify.

Pregnant
Between the age of 1 and 64
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

The main factor that financial assistance programs consider when determining eligibility is your income status. Generally, you’ll qualify for one of Nevada’s financial assistance programs if you earn between 100% and 200% of the national poverty level. Your place on the national poverty line is determined by your total household income before taxes and your household size.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for each program online or in person at your local DHHS office. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

New Hampshire Medical Billing

New Hampshire is tricky regarding its policies regarding free care provided by hospitals. While they don’t explicitly have a law mandating hospitals to provide free care, they require hospitals to record and report the free care they give. These hospitals can then qualify for tax credits and incentives depending on the charitable care they provide.

Therefore, hospitals are incentivized rather than required to offer free and discounted care. You’ll most likely qualify for free care if your income is at or below 225% of the national poverty level.

Eligibility Requirements

If you’re not getting assistance from your hospital, your best bet for financial help is through Medicaid. Medicaid is very comprehensive in New Hampshire and is also readily available to nearly everyone who meets the financial requirements.

In general, however, to be eligible for New Hampshire Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a New Hampshire resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of New Hampshire.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for New Hampshire Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

In addition to Medicaid, you may qualify for child care assistance, SNAP, and other forms of financial assistance when applying.

Financial Requirements

Financial eligibility for Medicaid, free care from your hospital, and other programs in New Hampshire depend on your household size and income. Eligibility is determined by each program using a sliding scale. In general, however, if you’re total income is between 100% and 200% of the national poverty level, you’ll qualify for Medicaid, SNAP, and other financial assistance programs.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid and other benefits online or in person at your local DHHS office. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

New Jersey Medical Billing

New Jersey is one of several states with broad sweeping laws requiring hospitals to provide charitable care to low-income patients. These rules are enforced by the New Jersey State Department of Health Care for the Uninsured Program. As the name implies, however, this bill only applies to patients without insurance.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for state-mandated hospital assistance, you must meet the following criteria.

Have no health insurance or insurance that doesn’t cover all your bills
Don’t qualify for government financial assistance programs such as Medicaid or Medicare
Meet the income criteria below

If you don’t qualify for assistance from your hospital, your best bet is to receive help through Medicaid. To be eligible for New Jersey Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a New Jersey resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of New Jersey.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for New Jersey Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Within the New Jersey Medicaid program, you may also qualify for the Medical Emergency Payment Program for Aliens, NJCEED, or Home and Community-Based Services.

Financial Requirements

According to state law, hospitals must offer discounted care to uninsured patients with an annual income between 200% and 300% of the national poverty level and free care to those earning below 200%. However, individual hospitals can go above and beyond that allowance, and some offer discounts for patients whose incomes are up to 500% of the national poverty level.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid online or at your local DHS office. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

New Mexico Medical Billing

Like many other states, New Mexico doesn’t require its hospitals to offer charitable care. However, like New Hampshire, there are tax credits and rewards for New Mexico hospitals based on the amount of charitable care they offer. Therefore, they’re enticed to offer free healthcare.

However, it’s entirely up to each hospital as to how charitable they want to be. They can also decide the cut-off line in terms of who qualifies for free or discounted healthcare. In most cases, you’ll qualify for free or discounted care if your income is between 0% and 400% of the national poverty level.

Eligibility Requirements

You may also qualify for New Mexico Medicaid, also known as Centennial Care, if you don’t qualify for other forms of financial assistance. To be eligible for Centennial Care and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a New Mexico resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of New Mexico.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Centennial Care. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

Your income is the biggest deciding factor on your eligibility for Medicaid and other medical billing assistance. Your total household income must be less than a certain percentage of the national poverty level, based on your household size. Your status on the poverty level is graded on a sliding scale. In most cases, however, you must earn no more than between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty level.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Centennial Care online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

New York Medical Billing

New York has one of the country’s most comprehensive and generous charitable care policies. They have state laws requiring all hospitals to offer free or discounted care to uninsured or underinsured patients of low income. Anyone whose income exceeds 300% of the national poverty level is entitled to free or discounted care at all New York hospitals.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for New York’s free health care assistance programs, you must be a state resident. However, while some programs require you to be a US citizen, hospitals are required to offer free or discounted care to all patients regardless of their immigration status or citizenship. You must also be able to prove your financial status and need to qualify.

If you’re not getting the medical billing assistance you need from your hospital, you can receive assistance from state and federal programs. These include Medicaid, the Essential Plan, and Child Health Plus. To qualify for these programs, you must be a resident of New York and a US citizen. You also have to fall into one of the following categories.

Under the age of 26 and a former foster child
Over the age of 65
Blind or have a disability
On Medicare and aren’t the parent or caretaker of a minor
Pregnant
A minor

Financial Requirements

For any of these programs and hospital assistance, you mustn’t earn more than 400% of the national poverty level. However, for Medicaid and other government programs, your eligibility is based on a sliding scale of your income and household size.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid and other government assistance programs online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

North Carolina Medical Billing

In 2022, North Carolina is attempting to pass a bill, HB1039, that would make them one of the most generous states regarding charitable healthcare. The bill states that all hospitals in North Carolina must provide discounted care to patients at or below 400% of the national poverty level. Hospitals must also provide free care for patients at or below 200% of the national poverty level.

Finally, patients at or below 400% of the national poverty level don’t have to pay more than $2,300 annually. While this bill hasn’t yet passed, it’s expected to do so by year’s end. Until it does, hospitals in North Carolina aren’t required to offer free or discounted healthcare to patients, although many of them do for incentive purposes. Hospitals can determine their rates and discounts in North Carolina until HB1039 passes.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for hospital discounts gets determined on a case-to-case basis and is based solely on your financial and insurance status. They apply primarily to uninsured patients, but you may also qualify if you’re underinsured. You’ll have to provide proof of income, residency, citizenship, and financial need.

In addition to aid from your hospital, you may also qualify for Medicaid in North Carolina. You’ll have to prove your residency and citizenship or that you’re a legal alien. You must also meet one of the following criteria.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

You’ll only qualify for Medicaid, hospital discounts, and other financial assistance programs if you prove you have a low income. Your income is gauged on a sliding scale that varies according to your household size and total annual income before taxes. That number is then compared to the national poverty level to determine eligibility.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid in person or online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

North Dakota Medical Billing

Few states have fewer federal or state rules and regulations regarding free and discounted healthcare than North Dakota. Hospitals aren’t required to report their charitable care amounts, offer discounted care, or have financial assistance policies. However, because of benefits and incentives, most North Dakota hospitals offer discounted care if your income is at or below 250% of the national poverty level.

Eligibility Requirements

Every hospital in North Dakota has different eligibility requirements when it comes to offering free or discounted care. In general, however, you must be a resident of North Dakota and be able to prove your income and financial need.

You may also qualify for government programs such as North Dakota Medicaid, SNAP, CCAP, TANF, and LIHEAP if you don’t qualify for other forms of financial assistance. To be eligible for North Dakota Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a North Dakota resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien, as long as you’re a resident of North Dakota.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for North Dakota Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

You must prove that you’re in dire financial need to qualify for Medicaid and other medical billing assistance. Eligibility is determined by each program on a case-by-case basis using a sliding scale. In general, however, if you’re total income is between 100% and 200% of the national poverty level, you’ll qualify for Medicaid and other financial assistance programs.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid in person or online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Ohio Medical Billing

Ohio does exceptionally well when providing free and discounted care to low-income patients. In most cases, non-profit hospitals in Ohio are required to offer free care to those with an annual income at or below 200% of the national poverty level. They also offer discounted care to patients between 200% and 400% of the national poverty level. These hospitals also have a hardship policy where certain people outside the income requirements may qualify.

Eligibility Requirements

Outside of financial assistance from your hospital, you may also qualify for either Medicaid or the Hospital Care Assurance Program. The Hospital Care Assurance Program is reserved for those who don’t qualify for Medicaid but show financial need based on their annual income. Conversely, Medicaid is offered to anyone who does or does not qualify for additional hospital benefits.

To be eligible for Ohio Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and an Ohio resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Ohio.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Ohio Medicaid. You must also be pregnant and have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years or younger if you or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind, or is 65 or older.

Financial Requirements

You must prove your finances when you’re applying for Medicaid, HCAP, Medicare, or any other medical billing benefits. You’ll also need to prove that your total annual income before taxes is within 0% to 400% of the national poverty level.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid and other benefits in person or online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Oklahoma Medical Billing

Under the Indigent Health Care Act, all hospitals in Oklahoma are incentivized to offer free and discounted healthcare to patients. The Act ensures that hospitals are reimbursed for any charitable care they provide. However, due to the structure of the bill, hospitals aren’t technically required to offer free care. They’re simply incentivized to do so.

It’s up to each hospital in Oklahoma as far as how much discount they offer and what your income level should be. In most cases, however, you’re entitled to free or discounted care if your income is at or below 300% of the national poverty line. The lower your income, the more likely you will receive free care.

Eligibility Requirements

Everyone who’s a resident of Oklahoma is eligible for medical billing assistance from their hospital as long as they can prove a financial need. It’s typically reserved for the uninsured or underinsured.

In addition to hospital assistance, Oklahoma residents may also qualify for SoonerCare to help them with their financial bills. This program is funded by both the state and federal governments and is for all Oklahoma residents that are US citizens or legal aliens. You must also check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

You will also have to provide access to your medical records to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.

Financial Requirements

Eligibility for SoonerCare, hospital financial assistance, and other programs is based on a sliding scale of total family income and the size of your household. For example, a one-person household can earn no more than $17,796, and a four-person household can earn no more than $36,588.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up in person or online for SoonerCare. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Oregon Medical Billing

Hospitals in Oregon are required to offer financial assistance to patients of low-income status. They have state and federal laws mandating this. Oregon is especially generous with its financial assistance policies and helps a wide variety of people, even those that wouldn’t typically be thought of as poor or low-income. Hospitals in Oregon are given flexibility when it comes to the particulars of their financial assistance policies.

Eligibility Requirements

The only eligibility requirement, apart from finances, when it comes to discounted care from Oregon hospitals is to be a resident of the state. However, the money you owe for the medical bills must be emergency or life-saving measures. For instance, you may not qualify for Charity Care if you had elective surgery or a procedure.

Apart from your hospital’s financial assistance policy, you may qualify for the Oregon Health Plan or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Each of these federal programs offers financial assistance to low-income families. In addition to being a US citizen, legal alien, and resident of Oregon, you must also be one of the following.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

You must fall within a certain income threshold to qualify for the Oregon Health Plan, hospital financial assistance, and other benefits. Free care is offered to those at or below 200% of the national poverty line. Discounted care is offered to those between 200% and 400% of the national poverty line.

Financial eligibility for the Oregon Health Plan is determined with a sliding scale based on your annual income and household size.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for the Oregon Health Plan and the Children’s Health Insurance Program online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Pennsylvania Medical Billing

Under state law, Pennsylvania requires their hospitals to have financial assistance policies to help their patients. However, each hospital can design its plan and set the terms. These hospitals must also have notices and information about their financial assistance policies posted in public and offer a financial advocate upon the patient’s request.

These policies are designed to help people whose income is at or below 200% of the national poverty line. They’re also meant to help uninsured patients or underinsured ones. Pennsylvania also has a Compensated Care Program that incentivizes hospitals to provide free and discounted care. They’re then offered tax credits and other forms of reimbursement.

Eligibility Requirements

In addition to assistance from your hospital, you may also qualify for Medical Assistance and CHIP. Medical Assistance is Pennsylvania’s version of Medicaid, and CHIP is the Children’s Health Insurance Program or Medicaid for children.

To be eligible for Medical Assistance or CHIP, you must be a resident of Pennsylvania and either a US citizen or legal alien. You must also be one of the following.

Under 18 years of age
Pregnant
A former child of foster care
Between 19 and 65
Disabled or the parent or caretaker of a disabled person

Financial Requirements

To be financially eligible for Medicaid, CHIP, or hospital assistance, you must be classified as low or very low income. Your total household income has to be between 0% and 200% of the national poverty level for Medicaid and CHIP and between 0% and 400% for hospital assistance programs.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid and CHIP in person or online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Rhode Island Medical Billing

Rhode Island has state laws requiring all hospitals to offer various forms of free and discounted care to low-income patients. Each hospital can determine its sliding scale, rules, and regulations, but a financial assistance program is mandatory. Hospitals must offer free care to patients if their income is less than 200% of the federal poverty line and discounted care if their income is between 200% and 300% of the poverty line.

Additionally, hospitals can go above and beyond and provide additional free or discounted care if they wish to do so. These hospitals are compensated through tax credits and exemptions based on the amount of free care they provide.

Eligibility Requirements

Anyone who is a resident of Rhode Island and meets the income requirements for free care is entitled to it. Charity care only applies to operations and procedures deemed medically necessary, according to the hospital.

Apart from financial assistance from your hospital, Rhode Island also offers Medicaid, CHIP, and various programs under the Medicaid umbrella. These include Sherlock, Katie Beckett, and Affordable Care Coverage. To be eligible for Rhode Island Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a Rhode Island resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien, as long as you’re a resident of Rhode Island.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Rhode Island Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

Financial eligibility for Medicaid, CHIP, and financial assistance from your hospital depends on your total household income and the size of your household. For instance, a household of one person can’t make more than $13,590, and a household of two can’t make more than $18,310, and so forth.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid and other Medicaid programs online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

South Carolina Medical Billing

While South Carolina doesn’t explicitly require hospitals to offer free care, they must provide emergency care to everyone regardless of income. South Carolina also doesn’t require their hospitals to have financial assistance policies. South Carolina does have a Certificate of Need program and the Medically Indigent Assistance programs to ensure that people get the healthcare they need.

Additionally, while not required to do so, many hospitals in South Carolina offer free care to patients whose income is less than 100% of the national poverty level. They also offer discounted care if your income is between 100% and 200% of the national poverty level, and some go even higher. Having and implementing a financial assistance policy is entirely up to each hospital.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Medically Indigent Assistance Program (MIAP) in South Carolina, you must be a South Carolina resident, US citizen, or legal alien. You must also have no insurance or be underinsured. Additionally, South Carolinians can qualify for Medicaid and other programs included with Medicaid. You must meet the same eligibility requirements for Medicaid as you would for MIAP.

You must also be one of the following.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

To be financially eligible for Medicaid and MIAP, your income must be between 100% and 200% of the national poverty level. You also can’t have more than $500 in cash or your bank account. You also can’t have taxable assets equaling greater than $6,000.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid and other state and federally-funded financial assistance programs online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

South Dakota Medical Billing

Like many other states with smaller populations, South Dakota doesn’t have a law requiring hospitals to provide free care to low-income patients. However, the state and federal governments offer incentives to do so. As such, most hospitals at the county level will offer some form of financial assistance to low-income patients.

Additionally, if hospitals have financial assistance policies, they must make it known to patients upon admission. Most hospitals in South Dakota, while not required, offer free care to patients with an income less than 200% to 225% of the national poverty level and discounted care if their income is between 200% and 375% of the poverty level. Once again, rules and standards vary from hospital to hospital.

Eligibility Requirements

Each hospital has its eligibility requirements when it comes to free care. It’s largely based on income. However, you’re more likely to qualify for free or discounted care for emergencies rather than elective procedures. If you don’t qualify for assistance from your hospital, however, you may qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, Healthy Kids Klub, and other state and government-run programs.

To be eligible for any of these programs, you must be a US citizen or legal alien and a resident of South Dakota. You must also be blind or disabled or caring for someone between the ages of 1 and 64 or pregnant. Others may also be eligible, pending vetting by the Department of Social Services.

Financial Requirements

Eligibility is largely dependent on your financial status for Medicaid, hospital assistance, and other financial assistance programs. In most cases, your total family income must fall within a certain range of the national poverty level based on the size of your family. For instance, a household of five must make no more than $27,910.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid and other government programs in person or online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Tennessee Medical Billing

Tennessee has no state or federal laws requiring their hospitals to offer financial assistance policies or programs. However, due to reimbursements and incentives, most Tennessee hospitals have some form of charitable care program or financial assistance policy. There is also an Indigent Health Care Program that guarantees basic health care will be given to low-income patients at no cost. This is typically on a community level, however.

Eligibility Requirements

In most cases, free health care is reserved for low-income patients with no or bad insurance. It’s also reserved for emergency procedures and those deemed medically necessary rather than elective operations. You must also be a citizen of the US or a legal alien and a resident of Tennessee.

If you qualify financially, you can also sign up for TennCare, Tennessee’s version of Medicaid. TennCare is for all low-income patients that can prove their income and financial need. You must also be a citizen of the US or a legal alien and a resident of Tennessee. Additionally, you should be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 21 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

Most Tennessee hospitals that offer financial assistance policies have strict financial eligibility requirements. You’re entitled to free care if your family income falls at 200% or less than the national poverty line. You’re entitled to discounted healthcare on a sliding scale if your income is between 200% and 400% of the national poverty level. Once again, these policies and amounts vary from hospital to hospital.

The same policy holds for being financially eligible for TennCare and other government programs. Eligibility is based on your family income before taxes and the size of your household in relation to the national poverty line.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for TennCare in person or online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Texas Medical Billing

In Texas, some hospitals, but not all, are required to offer free or discounted care to patients. Non-profit hospitals must offer free and discounted care to retain their status as not-for-profit organizations. However, private for-profit hospitals aren’t required to offer free care. Additionally, public hospitals are also required to offer free or discounted care to all low-income patients.

Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements for who qualifies for free healthcare vary from hospital to hospital. While all non-profit hospitals must have financial assistance policies, they can set their own rules. However, if someone is considered indigent, earning less than the national poverty line, they receive free healthcare no matter what.

Apart from indigent patients, Texas hospitals typically offer free care to patients whose incomes are between 0% and 150% of the national poverty line. They also offer discounted care to patients with incomes between 150% and 300% of the national poverty line.

Texas also offers Medicaid and CHIP as financial assistance options to low-income patients. To qualify, you must be a United States citizen or legal alien and a resident of Texas.

Financial Requirements

Your finances will play the biggest role in determining if you qualify for financial assistance from hospitals and the government. Each hospital can set its standards for who qualifies and base eligibility according to the national poverty guidelines. If your income, based on your household size, falls within a certain percentage of the poverty line, you’ll qualify for free income.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid and CHIP in person or online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Utah Medical Billing

Utah hospitals aren’t required to offer free or charitable care to patients of low income. However, thanks to the state’s Property Tax Exemption Standards of Practice law, non-profit hospitals must donate certain amounts of money to their community to qualify as non-profit organizations. In most cases, these community donations come in the form of free or discounted health care.

If these hospitals have financial assistance policies, they must offer them to low-income patients and ensure they know their options.

Eligibility Requirements

Unlike in many other states, most of Utah’s free and discounted care policies apply to elective and non-elective procedures. However, it’s necessary to have no insurance or insurance that isn’t paying for your procedure. Additionally, you must be a US citizen or legal alien and a resident of Utah.

The same standards are true for Medicaid in Utah. However, you must also fall into one of the following categories.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

Typically, if your income is 200% or less than the national poverty line, you’ll qualify for free care. Additionally, you’ll receive discounted care if your income is between 200% and 400% of the national poverty line. However, each hospital system has the right to establish its own rules and standards.

Financial eligibility for Medicaid depends on your income and household size compared to the national poverty guidelines.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid and other government financial assistance programs online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Vermont Medical Billing

Like most states, Vermont hospitals aren’t required to offer free or charitable care to low-income patients. However, most of them offer it to retain their non-profit status and tax exemptions. Each hospital has its own eligibility requirements and standards for who qualifies for free care.

Vermont hospitals are held accountable because they must report all their community benefits at the end of the fiscal year. In most cases, community benefits come in the form of free or charitable care.

Eligibility Requirements

While each hospital in Vermont sets its eligibility guidelines, you must be a US citizen or legal alien and a resident of Vermont. In addition to hospital assistance, residents of Vermont may qualify for several state and government-sponsored programs.

To qualify for any of these programs, you must be a US citizen or legal alien, a resident of Vermont, and meet the financial requirements. Vermont Medicaid has several programs built into them specifically for the blind, disabled, elderly, and minors.

Financial Requirements

Typically, if your income is 200% or less than the national poverty line, you’ll qualify for free care in Vermont. Additionally, you’ll receive discounted care if your income is between 200% and 400% of the national poverty line. However, each hospital in Vermont has the right to establish its own rules and standards.

Financial eligibility for Medicaid depends on your income and household size compared to the national poverty guidelines.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid and other government benefits online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Virginia Medical Billing

In order to maintain their status as non-profit hospitals, Virginia hospitals are required to offer some type of financial assistance policy. However, the degree to which they help patients varies from hospital to hospital. Luckily, Virginia hospitals are required to report the amount of charity care they provide to qualify for tax credits and exemptions.

Eligibility Requirements

In general, free and discounted care in Virginia is limited to US citizens or legal aliens who are also state residents. Additionally, most free and discounted care is reserved for patients without insurance or whose insurance doesn’t cover a certain procedure. However, it can also apply to elective procedures if you prove they’re necessary and have financial needs.

In addition to hospital assistance, you may also qualify for Medicaid in Virginia. To be eligible for Virginia Medicaid and other medical assistance programs, you must be a citizen of the United States and a Virginia resident. You also qualify if you’re a legal alien as long as you’re a resident of Virginia.

Here are a few additional eligibility requirements for Virginia Medicaid. You must be able to check one of the following boxes.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

Each hospital in Virginia can make its sliding scale for who gets charity care and how much discount they receive. Typically, if your income is 200% or less than the national poverty line, you’ll qualify for free care in Virginia. Additionally, you’ll receive discounted care if your income is between 200% and 400% of the national poverty line.

Financial eligibility for Virginia Medicaid depends on your income and household size compared to the national poverty guidelines.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Virginia Medicaid and other programs in person or online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Washington Medical Billing

Just months ago, in 2022, Washington passed a law requiring all hospitals to offer free or discounted care to low-income patients and patients in need. As such, all Washington hospitals are required to offer charity care to patients that meet the state and hospital requirements. While each hospital has some freedom in setting its policies, it must meet certain state requirements.

The recent bill also required that Washington hospitals increase the number of people they help financially. Originally, hospitals were only required to offer discounted care to patients whose income was within 300% of the federal poverty level. Now, however, they’re required to offer care to patients whose incomes exceed 400% of the poverty level.

Eligibility Requirements

Each hospital is permitted to have its eligibility requirements for free and discounted care. However, their policies must apply to both insured and uninsured patients. You must also be a US citizen or legal alien and a resident of Washington to qualify. The same rules apply to be eligible for Medicaid in Washington. However, you also have to fall into one of the following categories.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

According to the updated law, Washington Tier 1 hospitals are required to offer free care to those whose incomes are between 0% and 300% of the federal poverty line. Tier 2 hospitals must provide free care up to 200% and a 50 to 75% discount for incomes between 200% and 300% of the poverty line. Tier 1 hospitals are required to offer 50 to 75% discounts for those with incomes between 300% and 400% of the poverty line.

Financial eligibility for Medicaid depends on your income and household size compared to the national poverty guidelines.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid and other benefits in person or online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

West Virginia Medical Billing

There is no law in West Virginia requiring hospitals to offer free or discounted care to patients. However, all West Virginia hospitals must offer charity care and financial assistance programs to retain their non-profit status. Hospitals offering assistance programs must also post their policies and relevant information for everyone. They also have to provide information about how to qualify and apply.

Additionally, while there isn’t a minimum annual required amount of charity care in West Virginia, hospitals are required to announce their amounts to the government. They will then receive tax credits and a non-profit status if they meet the federal government’s requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

While most non-profit hospitals have some form of financial assistance program in West Virginia, they can determine their standards and rules. They can decide who qualifies, how much assistance they will receive, and what procedures charity care will cover. In most cases, charity care is only available to uninsured or underinsured patients. You must also be a citizen of the United States or a legal alien, and a resident of West Virginia.

The same rules apply to be eligible for Medicaid in West Virginia. Additionally, you must also meet one of the following criteria.

Pregnant
Have a legal responsibility to care for a child 18 years old or younger
You or a family member in your household has a disability or is blind
Be 65 or older

Financial Requirements

Each hospital in West Virginia can make its sliding scale for who gets charity care and how much discount they receive. Typically, if your income is 200% or less than the national poverty line, you’ll qualify for free care in West Virginia. Additionally, you’ll receive discounted care if your income is between 200% and 400% of the national poverty line.

Financial eligibility for Virginia Medicaid depends on your income and household size compared to the national poverty guidelines.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid in person or online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Wisconsin Medical Billing

Wisconsin law doesn’t require hospitals to provide free or discounted care or community benefits. However, Wisconsin hospitals must report on donations and other forms of giving back to the community. This applies to non-profit and for-profit hospitals that want to receive tax credits and benefits.

Additionally, Wisconsin hospitals must have Uncompensated Health Care Service Plans, the same as a financial assistance policy. They must also have readily available information about these programs and provide a patient advocate upon request.

Eligibility Requirements

While each hospital must have a financial assistance policy, they can make their own policy and plan. They can also determine the cut-off for who qualifies for charity care, how much discount they get, and other terms of eligibility. In general, however, if you can show a financial need, don’t have insurance, and are a US citizen or legal alien and resident of Wisconsin, you’ll qualify for some degree of financial assistance.

To be eligible for Medicaid and other state and government programs, you must be a US citizen or legal alien and a resident of Wisconsin. Different Medicaid programs are available depending on whether you’re pregnant, a senior, have a child, or have a disability.

Financial Requirements

Each hospital in Wisconsin can make its sliding scale for who gets charity care and how much discount they receive. Typically, if your income is 200% or less than the national poverty line, you’ll qualify for free care in Wisconsin. Additionally, you’ll receive discounted care if your income is between 200% and 400% of the national poverty line.

Financial eligibility for Wisconsin Medicaid depends on your income and household size compared to the national poverty guidelines.

Where to Sign Up

You can apply for Medicaid and other government benefits online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Wyoming Medical Billing

While Wyoming hospitals aren’t required to offer free or discounted care, many do for tax purposes. Wyoming hospitals are also required to offer financial assistance policies when they do offer free or discounted care. However, these policies vary greatly from county to county because each hospital can make its own rules and regulations.

Additionally, Wyoming recently passed a new law allowing them to raise their standards for offering free and discounted care to low-income patients.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility requirements vary widely from hospital to hospital regarding charitable care in Wyoming. A significant part of Wyoming eligibility depends on whether your county has a Department of Public Assistance program or office. If it doesn’t, hospitals in that county aren’t required to offer free or charitable care.

However, if your hospital does offer charity care, you may qualify if you’re a US citizen or legal alien and a resident of Wyoming and the county of your hospital. In most cases, financial assistance is available to the uninsured or underinsured, but it can apply to anyone who displays financial need.

The same is true for Medicaid and CHIP in Wyoming, in that anyone who displays and can prove financial need is eligible for it.

Financial Requirements

Financial eligibility for financial assistance from your hospital will depend on your income and the size of your family in relation to the national poverty level. Under the new Wyoming law, people with incomes at or below 200% of the national poverty line are entitled to free health care. Additionally, those with incomes between 200 and 275% of the national poverty line are entitled to discounted care.

Financial eligibility for Wyoming Medicaid and CHIP depends on your income and household size compared to the national poverty guidelines.

Where to Sign Up

You can sign up for Medicaid in person or online. You may also reach out to Amazing Healthcare Consultants for medical billing assistance.

Organizations That Assist With Medical Billing

Outside of hospitals, Medicaid, or health insurance, many charitable foundations might help with your medical bills.

HealthWell Foundation

The HealthWell Foundation is an all-encompassing foundation that helps all underinsured people with their medical bills. However, the medical bills have to stem from life-threatening or altering conditions, including cancer, ALS, and similar diseases.

PAN Foundation

The PAN Foundation was founded to help people who are underinsured and are facing hefty medical bills. PAN helps with everything from copays to transportation costs to your hospital and even health insurance premiums.

CancerCare

CancerCare is a charitable organization providing copayment assistance to people who are getting cancer-related treatments.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

If you have health insurance and have been diagnosed with cancer, you might receive assistance from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

United Healthcare Children’s Foundation

The UHCF specializes in providing grants for medical bills acquired by children, as long as their primary health insurance comes from a commercial health plan.

U.S. Government Programs

You can apply for government-run health insurance coverage through government health plans.

To determine if you qualify for these programs and benefits, contact a healthcare advocate consultant. While your patient advocate or healthcare provider might be able to assist you, they can’t dedicate the attention that a healthcare advocate can.

Some hospitals have financial assistance programs, and others do not. Under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), certain non-profit hospitals must offer financial assistance. Depending on where you live, your state may require hospitals to offer a program to help patients with medical bills. Eligibility for these programs varies, so it is important to ask about the guidelines where you will be receiving care or have received care.

Additionally, each state has different rules about eligibility and applying for Medicaid for adults. Learn more about eligibility by following the advice in this article and seeking the help of a healthcare advocate.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Billing Assistance

Are there any government programs to help pay for medical bills?

Medicare and Medicaid are the two main government programs that help pay for medical bills.

Where to get help paying bills due to Covid-19?

You can go to USA.gov for help paying bills due to Covid-19. You can get assistance with rent, grocery bills, phone bills, and medical bills that you can’t pay because of Covid.

Can medical bills be waived if the patient is unable to pay?

In most cases, medical bills that you can’t pay won’t simply get waived and deleted. Instead, your medical might sell your debt to a debt collection agency or third-party company. You could get sued or even have your assets allocated to pay your debts.

Who qualifies for financial assistance for medical bills?

The financial assistance policies about who qualifies for assistance for medical bills vary from state to state. In most cases, if your family income is less than a certain percentage of the national average, you’ll qualify for financial assistance programs.

Who to Contact for Top-Notch Medical Billing Assistance?

If you’re facing medical bills that are more expensive than you think they should be or that you can’t pay, contact a medical bill advocate immediately.

Medical bill advocates know the ins and outs of medical billing and will know exactly what you should do. They can also help you find financial assistance policies, fill out a financial assistance application, help you form a payment plan, and much more.

Learn More

Expert Guide to Medical Billing Assistance in Your State

How Medical Billing Assistance Can Help

Assistance paying large sums of medical bills

Assistance checking medical bills for errors

Help with financial assistance applications.

Medical Billing Assistance by State

Alabama Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Alaska Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Arizona Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Arkansas Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

California Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Colorado Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Connecticut Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Delaware Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Florida Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Georgia Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Hawaii Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Idaho Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Illinois Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Indiana Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Iowa Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Kansas Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Kentucky Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Louisiana Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements

Financial Requirements

Where to Sign Up

Maine Medical Billing

Eligibility Requirements