How to Apply for Financial Assistance for Medical Bills

Medical procedures, doctor appointments, and anything that involves procedures at the hospital can be very expensive-especially when you don't have the proper health insurance. If you are low income, or are having trouble meeting the minimum payments for your medical bills, you need to seek information about financial assistance for your medical account. Most all hospitals offer some sort of financial assistance program for those who have trouble paying their bills.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. 

   Contact the billing department at your hospital where your account is. Let them know that you are facing financial hardship, and could possibly need assistance paying your bill. Ask them if there is any financial assistance available.

2. 

   Gather all of your medical bills, other main household bills (such as rent/mortgage, utility, health insurance), and copies of your income. Financial Assistance applications often ask for household income, and any other bills that you may have to pay as well.

3. 

   Fill out the application that the hospital or doctor gives you. Be sure you provide all of the correct information before you turn it in. Most hospitals offer financial applications that are available within the hospital or online on their website. Ask your doctor or the billing department about where you can find these applications.

4. 

   Wait for a response about your application. Most hospitals will send you a letter or call you personally by telephone. Depending on your income bracket, some financial assistance programs will pay anywhere from up to half of the cost of your bill to all of your bill. The rest of the amount that is owed is usually put into a non-interest account.

5. 

   Discuss with the caseworker about possible monthly payments that you can afford on your account. Most are flexible, but do require a certain time that the bills must be paid off without being sent to collections. Continue to make monthly payments, and always keep in contact with your caseworker should you have trouble paying your scheduled monthly amount.