What are hospital financial assistance plans?

The Affordable Care Act required that hospitals develop a plan to provide financial assistance to patients whose income exceeded the federal poverty limit. Hospitals in Ohio already participated in the Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP) which helped those making less than the federal poverty limit. Hospitals can decide who their policy covers and how much help is provided but they must inform patients of the policy and the policy can’t discriminate.

Will using financial assistance be a problem if I am not a US Citizen?

Getting help with medical bills does not jeopardize your status. If you have come to the United States and are not a citizen, you can ask for and receive help with medical bills for you and your family, without fear of negative consequences to your immigration status. If you primarily speak a language other than English, you can ask for the information in your preferred language.

What should I do if I go to the hospital and need help paying my bill?

1. Ask for a copy of the hospital’s Financial Assistance Policy as soon as you get the bill, because by law, the policy must explain how to apply for help.
2. Fill out an application form and be ready to provide information about your income, including last year’s tax forms or a current pay stub, and your expenses, including your rent or mortgage payment, utilities, credit cards, and other debts.
3. Ask your provider
   1. how long it takes to process your application for financial assistance,
   2. how to get answers to questions about the application, and what happens with your bill in the meantime.
   3. Keep notes of all the conversations you have with hospitals or debt collectors.
4. Notify any debt collectors that you’re seeking financial assistance for the bill and tell them to pause collections while the financial assistance process proceeds—and if the debt collectors already reported it on your credit, to show the bill as disputed.
5. Regularly follow-up with the hospital about the status of your application.