Hospital Financial Assistance

If your family has an income less than 3 times the federal poverty level, you qualify for discounts when you have to visit a hospital in New York State. This chart shows the 2010 income levels:

Size of Family Unit	100% of Federal Poverty	300% of Federal Poverty
1	$10,830	$32,490
2	14,570	43,710
3	18,310	54,930
4	22,050	66,150
5	25,790	77,370
6	29,530	88,590
7	33,270	99,810
8	37,010	111,030
For each additional person add	3,740	11,220

Some hospitals do offer financial assistance to patients with incomes above 300% of the federal poverty level. You should ask your hospital if there are discounts available to you, even if your income is above 300% of the federal poverty level.

The amount of assistance you get is determined on a sliding scale based on your income level. If your income is at or below 100% of the federal poverty level, you can be charged no more than the following:

* Inpatient hospital services: $150
* Ambulatory surgery: $150 per procedure
* MRI testing: $150 per session
* Adult emergency room and outpatient clinic visits: $15 per visit
* Prenatal and children emergency room and clinic visits: no charge.

Every hospital is required to provide customers with a written summary of financial assistance available when it is requested. Be sure to ask about your options from the hospital. If you have any questions about hospital financial assistance, you can call the New York State Department of Health hot line at 1-800-804-5447. There is more information available about Hospital Financial Assistance available on the New York State Department of Health Website here.