Guide to Charity Care

Charity Care is a special program that helps with hospital bills if you have low income. Washington State law requires hospitals to give free or reduced-cost medical care to people who meet certain income qualifications. 

If you’re getting care in a hospital, or you have a bill for hospital care, ask for a Charity Care application to find out if you’re eligible.

When the hospital admits you, it should provide notice of its Charity Care program. You can ask for a Charity Care application while in the hospital or after you’re discharged. But there’s no deadline to apply.

Even if you’re not sure you’re eligible for Charity Care, you should apply. Hospitals can give Charity Care discounts of up to 400% of the federal poverty level.

Federal and state laws require hospitals to provide certain types of care for free or at a lower cost if you can’t afford to pay for it. Charity Care covers “medically necessary” treatment. This includes inpatient hospital stays and emergency room visits.

Charity Care may not cover medical provider services who aren’t considered part of the hospital’s medical staff or visits to a hospital’s outpatient clinics. Examples: It doesn’t cover radiologists or anesthesiologists who work in the emergency room but aren’t employed by the hospital.

Each hospital has its own Charity Care policy. To see your hospital’s policy, you can find it in this statewide list, or call the hospital to ask for a copy. Some hospitals have a different name for their Charity Care program. They may call it, for example, Bridge Assistance or Financial Assistance.

Even if you already have medical insurance, you might qualify for Charity Care. Your insurance might have high deductibles or only cover part of a hospital bill. If you have low income, Charity Care may cover these deductibles or co-pays.

All patients, if otherwise eligible, can get Charity Care, regardless of citizenship status.