Get help paying your hospital bills.
Medical bills can exhaust your financial resources, but if you receive a hospital bill you cannot pay, local, state and federal assistance is available. Inquire about program requirements to determine your eligibility for aid. The process requires legwork, and, in some cases, may require the coupling of several types of assistance. When arranging financial aid for hospital bills, do your homework and complete any paperwork required for participation.
Instructions
1. Apply for Medicaid, a state insurance program for low-income individuals and families. Eligibility requirements vary widely, so contact Medicaid by phone at 800-633-4227, to see if you qualify.
2. Apply for assistance at the federal level. Individuals and families may apply for Medicare, a federal insurance program for low-income, senior and disabled individuals. Contact Medicare by phone at 800-633-4227 to see if you qualify.
3. Contact the hospital's billing department and arrange a payment plan. The hospital may offer a discount of 25 to 70 percent if you pay all, or a portion of your hospital bill. If you cannot make an immediate lump sum payment, ask how long you can go before making a payment and still qualify for the discount.
4. Seek financial assistance through a local charity, such as a ministry group, community outreach group, or community action agency. Your local phone directory has a listing of local charities.
5. Contact the hospital's billing department and ask if you qualify for aid through the Hill-Burton federal program. Explain that you aren't covered by any type of health insurance, such as Medicare or Medicaid, and that you live below the current poverty income level. This option is only available to those who have extreme financial hardship and cannot obtain funding from any other source.
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