Where to get assistance with medical bills

A handful of states have passed laws placing limits on what hospitals can charge for health care services. For example, California's Hospital Fair Pricing Act puts a cap on treatment charges for self-pay patients. Similar laws exist in some other states. If you find errors on your medical bill or have questions about charges, make an appointment with the doctor or hospital billing office to discuss the situation. Don't hesitate to challenge overcharges, double billing, and anything else that seems unfair.

You can ask for a discount on your medical bill. Many providers spend a great deal of time and effort tracking down folks who don't want to pay. So, when they encounter someone who is at least willing to pay something , they might be happy to make accommodations. Ask if you can pay the bill over time. Some charge interest, some don't. Get all payment terms in writing. If your circumstances change, contact the provider and try to negotiate a different arrangement.

You might be eligible to receive financial assistance from the government, a nonprofit, or the hospital itself. Check into all three possibilities. You might qualify for Medicaid , which is a joint federal and state program for low-income individuals and families.

Medicaid is set up by the federal government and is administered differently in each state. Although your income must be quite low to qualify, some people with higher incomes can get coverage if their medical bills are comparatively high.

Medicaid is best used to reduce future medical bills, but that might enable you to pay your current ones. Each state has an insurance plan to help cover health care costs for children in lower-income families. Contact your local or state-level social service agency to see if your children qualify. Some states and local governments have assistance programs for people struggling with high medical bills.

Some private nonprofit groups also offer financial assistance to help offset medical expenses. Contact your city or county representative or local social service agency for information. Most hospitals—especially nonprofit facilities—have charity care programs to help cover or reduce medical bills for some families. Eligibility is usually based on income and savings. Advertising for these programs is often minimal or non-existent, so you will need to seek them out actively.

Many nonprofit medical clinics have similar programs. If you have health insurance, but your medical provider is billing you anyway—or your insurer is refusing to cover all or part of a medical bill—take action.

If the bill is from a hospital, see if the facility has an ombudsman or patient's advocate. If you can't afford to pay your home heating or cooling bill, you may be able to get help from the government or your local social services agency or nonprofit. This chart from Benefits. Actual requirements may vary by state, city, or region. Each state has different rules about when you can apply, how you apply, and the criteria you have to meet to get help.

If your income is too high to qualify for LIHEAP but you need help paying for your energy bills, your local social services agency or a nonprofit organization may have funds to help. You can also contact your gas, oil, or electric company about budget billing programs or new payment options especially for customers with disabilities who are on Supplemental Security Income SSI.

Landlords now have the ability to evict renters who are not able to pay rent during the COVID pandemic. As a renter or as a landlord, government programs can help you with rent money and advice for your situation.

Renters and landlords, use the Emergency Rental Assistance ERA database from the Treasury Department to find rental assistance from state, local, territorial, and tribal programs. Learn how to avoid eviction and how to make a payment plan with your landlord.

If you are going to be evicted and need emergency housing, call for local housing help or search using HUD's Find Shelter tool. Learn how to recover back rent and find out about mortgage forbearance for your property if you are a landlord. Medicaid and CHIP help with medical bills for kids whose families can't afford health insurance or can't get it through work.

People over 65, people with disabilities under 65, and people with end-stage kidney disease are eligible for Medicare. Learn more about how to apply for Medicare. Each state has different rules about eligibility and applying for Medicaid for adults.

Learn more about eligibility. Each state has different application requirements for Medicaid for adults. Call your state Medicaid program to see if you qualify and to learn how to apply. If your employer does not offer insurance, you're self-employed, or you want to buy your own insurance, you can get it through the Marketplace. The Health Insurance Marketplace offers health, vision, and dental insurance for you and your family. Everyone is eligible for health insurance through the Marketplace.

Pacific Time for additional information. Uninsured Patients are eligible for our Compact with Uninsured discounts. Our hospital patient advocates will assist you with understanding the rules of eligibility for the Uninsured Discount Program. A nonprofit credit counseling service may be available in your area. Contact a Patient Advocate: