Charity Care State Laws

Nonprofit hospitals are required to offer free or discounted health care to patients who cannot afford it, based on their income relative to the Federal Poverty Level. This is called charity care, but could also be called patient financial assistance or ability to pay programs.

Some states have their own charity care laws, many of which are more protective or covering more people than the federal law. This chart provides information about which states have their own charity care laws. Check back often, as this chart is updated frequently.

StateDoes My State Have a Charity Care Law?Minimum Deadline to Apply?Minimum Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for Charity Care?Must Be a Resident of the State to Receive Charity Care?Can I be Denied if I am Insured?
AlabamaNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/alabama/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
AlaskaNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/alaska/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
ArizonaNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/arizona/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
ArkansasNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/arkansas/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
CaliforniaYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/california/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillIndividuals within 400% of the FPL or Underinsured Patients Who have Experienced Out-Of-Pocket Costs Exceeding 10% of Their Income in the Last 12 Months are Eligible for Free or Reduced CareNoCalifornia's charity care law applies to uninsured patients within 400% FPL or insured patients who are either within 400% FPL or who have faced out-of-pocket medical expenses in the last 12 months exceeding 10% of their annual income
ColoradoYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/colorado/240 Days from First Post-Discharge Bill250% of FPLNoNo
ConnecticutYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/connecticut/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
DelawareYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/delaware/240 Days from First Post-Discharge Bill350% of FPLNoUnder Delaware state law, you are entitled to charity care if you are within 350% FPL and you are either uninsured or underinsured. Underinsured means that your total out-of-pocket-costs are at least 5% of your annual income
FloridaYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/florida/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedApplicant must be a resident of the county where the hospital is located and provide proof of residencyNo
GeorgiaYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/georgia/240 Days from First Post-Discharge Bill, No Deadline for Hospitals Participating in Indigent Care Trust FundHospitals Receiving Money from the Indigent Care Trust Fund Must Forgive All Debt for Patients Below 125% FPL and Must Provide Services on a Sliding Scale for Patients Between 125 – 200% FPLThe state indigent care trust fund is only available for a US citizen who is a resident of GeorgiaNo
HawaiiNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/hawaii/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
IdahoNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/idaho/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
IllinoisYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/illinois/240 Days from First Post-Discharge Bill for Non-Profit Hospitals, 90 Days for Uninsured Patients600% of FPLPatient must be an Illinois residentNo
IndianaYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/indiana/240 Days from First Post-Discharge Bill for Non-Profit Hospitals; For State Benefits, if a Person is At or Under 75% FPL, Either the Patient or Provider Must Apply for Benefits within 45 Days of Release or Discharge Individuals At or Below 75% FPL are Eligible for Free Care if Not Receiving Treatment would Threaten Their Life or Seriously Harm Their OrgansFor State benefits for those within 75% FPL, non-residents are only eligible if onset of the medical condition occurred in IndianaNo
IowaYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/iowa/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedPatients must live in the county of the public hospital they are attendingNo
KansasYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/kansas/240 Days from First Post-Discharge Bill100% of FPLTo receive funds from the county for patients at or below 100% FPL, the patient must have resided in that county for at least 1 yearNo
KentuckyYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/kentucky/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
LouisianaYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/louisiana/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedYesNo
MaineYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/maine/240 Days from First Post-Discharge Bill150% of FPLYesNo
MarylandYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/maryland/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillAcute care and chronic care hospitals must have a financial assistance policy that provides free medically necessary care to patients at 200% FPL or below. "Low income" patients above 200% FPL should also receive some discount. Patients have to be offered a payment plan if they are between 200% – 500% FPL.NoNo
MassachusettsYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/massachusetts/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
MichiganYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/michigan/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
MinnesotaNo, but availablehttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/minnesota/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillPatients who make below $125,000 cannot be billed more than what the hospital's most favorable insurer would pay for the same servicesNoNo
MississippiYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/mississippi/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
MissouriNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/missouri/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
MontanaNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/montana/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
NebraskaNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/nebraska/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
NevadaYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/nevada/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillPatients who are uninsured and ineligible for other benefits to pay for their medical care are entitled to free care if their income meets the following guidelines: income of $438/month for a single person, $588/month for two people, or $588 plus $150 for each additional family memberNoNo
New HampshireNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/new-hampshire/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
New JerseyYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/new-jersey/365 Days from First Post-Discharge BillUnder state law, a patient is eligible for free care if they are at or below 200% FPL. They only have to pay 20% if they are between 200-225%, 40% if they are between 225-250%, 60% if they are between 250-275%, and 80% if they are between 275-300%.YesNo
New MexicoYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/new-mexico/240 Days from First Post-Discharge Bill200% of FPLNoNo
New YorkYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/new-york/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillUnder state law, a hospital must not charge out-of-pocket costs to patients with household incomes below 200% FPL. Uninsured patients between 200% – 300% FPL may not be charged more than 10% of the Medicaid rate. Underinsured patients between 201% – 300% FPL may not be charged more than 10% of what their cost-sharing would be per their insurance plan. Uninsured patients between 301% - 400% FPL may not be charged more than 20% of the Medicaid rate. Underinsured patients between 301% – 400% may not be charged more than 20% of what their cost-sharing would have been per their insurance plan.YesNo
North CarolinaNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/north-carolina/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
North DakotaNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/north-dakota/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
OhioYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/ohio/240 Days from First Post-Discharge Bill for Non-Profit Hospitals; To Receive Certain State Benefits, Hospitals Must Accept an Application for Financial Assistance for 3 Years after Sending the Patient Notice about the Program with a Bill.To receive certain state benefits, a hospital must not charge patients at or below the poverty level who apply for assistance for basic, medically necessary hospital-level services.YesNo
OklahomaNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/oklahoma/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
OregonYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/oregon/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillHospitals must provide 100% assistance for patients up to 200% FPL, 75% assistance for patients 201–300% FPL, 50% assistance for patients 301–350% FPL, or 25% assistance for patients 351–400% FPL.It depends on the hospitalNo
PennsylvaniaYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/pennsylvania/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
Rhode IslandYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/rhode-island/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillPatients within 200% FPL must be given free care. Hospitals must give patient some form of discount to patients between 200%–300% FPL, but the level of discount is up to each hospital.NoNo
South CarolinaNo, but availablehttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/south-carolina/240 Days from First Post-Discharge Bill; Under the State Medically Indigent Assistance Program, a Patient can Apply within a Year of Being Discharged200% of FPLNoNo
South DakotaYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/south-dakota/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedYesNo
TennesseeYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/tennessee/240 Days from First Post-Discharge Bill175% of FPLYesNo
TexasYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/texas/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
UtahYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/utah/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
VermontYeshttps://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/18/221/09482240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillLarge health care facilities must provide free care to uninsured patients with household income at or below 250% FPL, a minimum 40% discount for uninsured patients with household incomes between 250-400% FPL, a waiver of all out-of-pocket costs for underinsured patients with household income at or below 250% FPL, a minimum of 40% discount on out-of-pocket costs for underinsured patients patients with household incomes between 250-400% FPL,And patients with incomes of up to 600% FPL can be charged no more than 20% of their household income in medical bills.YesNo
VirginiaYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/virginia/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillState law requires hospitals to give free care for patients within 200% FPL for the hospital to be eligible to obtain a certificate of public need.YesNo
WashingtonYeshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/washington/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillLarge hospitals or hospitals in large counties must provide 100% assistance for patients up to 300% FPL, 75% assistance for patients between 301–350% FPL, or 50% assistance for patients between 351–400% FPL for all medically necessary or emergency care. All other hospitals must provide 100% assistance for patients up to 200% FPL, 75% assistance for patients between 201–250% FPL, or 50% assistance for patients 251–300% FPL.It depends on the hospitalNo
West VirginiaNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/west-virginia/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
WisconsinNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/wisconsin/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo
WyomingNo, federal law applieshttps://dollarfor.org/state_sheet/wyoming/240 Days from First Post-Discharge BillNot SpecifiedNoNo

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