Am I likely to qualify for hospital financial assistance?
Hospital financial assistance policies are written as a multiple of the federal poverty guidelines — commonly free care below 200% and a sliding scale up to 400%, though thresholds vary by hospital. This tool shows where your household falls on that scale. It cannot tell you whether a specific hospital will approve you, because only that hospital's policy can, but if you land under roughly 400% it is worth applying.
The 2026 federal poverty guidelines
For the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Most hospital policies quote a percentage of the first column.
| Household size | 100% | 200% | 300% | 400% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $31,920 | $47,880 | $63,840 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $43,280 | $64,920 | $86,560 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $54,640 | $81,960 | $109,280 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $66,000 | $99,000 | $132,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $77,360 | $116,040 | $154,720 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $88,720 | $133,080 | $177,440 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $100,080 | $150,120 | $200,160 |
| 8+ | $55,720 | $111,440 | $167,160 | $222,880 |
Alaska: $19,950 for one person, plus $7,100 per additional person. Hawaii: $18,360 plus $6,530.
Source: HHS Poverty Guidelines, 2026. Published by HHS.
What to do with this number
- Find out what your hospital requires. Look up your hospital to see whether it is a nonprofit — if so, federal law requires it to publish its financial assistance policy and give you a copy free on request.
- Request the policy and the application in writing. Ask by name for the financial assistance policy, the application form and the plain-language summary.
- Apply even if you are unsure. Many people who would qualify never apply. Thresholds are frequently higher than people assume, and insured patients qualify too.
- Ask for the account to be held while your application is reviewed — no late fees, no interest, no credit reporting, no collections referral.
Frequently asked questions
What income qualifies for hospital financial assistance?
It depends on the hospital — each one sets its own thresholds, written as a multiple of the federal poverty guidelines. Free care below 200% of the guideline and a sliding scale up to 400% is a common shape, but some hospitals go well above that. For a household of one, 200% of the 2026 guideline is $31,920; for a household of four it is $66,000. The only way to know your hospital's actual thresholds is to request its policy, which a nonprofit hospital must provide free on request.
Does this tool tell me if I qualify?
No, and no honest tool could — eligibility is set hospital by hospital. What it does is tell you where your household sits relative to the federal poverty guidelines, which is the number every policy is written against. If you land anywhere under about 400%, applying is worth your time.
Do I have to be uninsured to get financial assistance?
No. Insured patients frequently qualify too, because deductibles, coinsurance and out-of-network balances can leave a bill that is unaffordable relative to income. Hospital policies are generally written around income and household size, not insurance status.
Is my information sent anywhere?
No. This calculator runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is transmitted to BillStand or to anyone else, and nothing is stored.