Educational only — not legal advice
Know your rights
U.S. federal and state laws protect patients from unaffordable hospital bills. Here's what they mean, in plain English.
Federal protections (everywhere in the U.S.)
These rights apply at every nonprofit hospital under ACA Section 501(r) — about 58% of U.S. hospitals. Click any topic to expand.
Charity care is free or discounted hospital care for patients who can't afford to pay.
Federal law requires nonprofit hospitals to have a written financial assistance policy.
Most charity care applications need proof of income and identity.
You have the right to appeal and to request a written explanation.
Emergency care rule
Under EMTALA, hospitals with emergency departments must screen and stabilize you regardless of ability to pay. You cannot be turned away from emergency care because of money.
State protections
All 50 states + DC are covered. 10 states have especially strong patient protections beyond federal law; the rest follow the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Each card shows free-care thresholds, charge caps, collection limits, and the official source.
Patient protections by state
Tap any state to jump to its details below. All 50 states + DC are covered.
10 states have especially strong protections beyond federal ACA 501(r) rules. The other 41 jurisdictions still guarantee federal protections at every nonprofit hospital.
Compare states side by side
Pick any two states to see their free-care thresholds and charge caps next to each other.
51 of 51 states shown
Hospitals must offer discounted or free care to uninsured and high-medical-cost patients up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Hospitals must provide free care to patients at or below 250% FPL and offer discounts to others.
Limits charges for uninsured patients up to 600% FPL and caps annual collections.
Hospitals must offer free care up to 150% FPL and sliding-scale discounts above that.
Hospitals must provide free care up to 200% FPL and discounts up to 500% FPL.
Hospitals must offer 30%+ discounts to uninsured patients earning under 400% FPL.
Free or reduced hospital care for NJ residents up to 300% FPL with limited assets.
Hospitals must offer discounted care up to 400% FPL and limit collection actions.
Hospitals must offer free care for low-income uninsured patients and sliding-scale discounts.
Hospitals must provide free care up to 300% FPL and discounted care up to 400% FPL.
Alabama relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Alaska relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Arizona relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Arkansas relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Colorado relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Delaware relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
District of Columbia relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Florida relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Georgia relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Hawaii relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Idaho relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Indiana relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Iowa relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Kansas relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Kentucky relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Louisiana relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Massachusetts relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Michigan relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Minnesota relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Mississippi relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Missouri relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Montana relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Nebraska relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
New Hampshire relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
New Mexico relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
North Carolina relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
North Dakota relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Ohio relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Oklahoma relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Oregon relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Pennsylvania relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
South Carolina relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
South Dakota relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Tennessee relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Texas relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Utah relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Vermont relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Virginia relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
West Virginia relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Wisconsin relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Wyoming relies on the federal ACA 501(r) baseline. Every nonprofit hospital must publish a Financial Assistance Policy and screen you before sending bills to collections.
Information is for general education and reflects laws in effect as of 2024. Confirm specifics with the hospital, your state attorney general, or a billing advocate.