Find the Most Generous Hospital Charity Care Near You
Nonprofit hospitals must offer free or discounted care to lower-income patients, but the income limits vary a lot from one hospital to the next. Enter your ZIP code to see the most generous programs near you, ranked by who qualifies.
How it works
1. Enter your ZIP
We find the hospitals near you that we have profiled.
2. See who is most generous
Hospitals are ranked by the income at which they forgive bills, so you can see who covers the most.
3. Check if you qualify
Add your income and household size to see where you likely qualify for free or discounted care.
Already have a hospital bill?
CareRoute Bill Defense can apply for financial assistance for you and work to reduce the bill through charity care, error checks, and negotiation. $0 upfront, no fee unless we save you money.
Or browse charity care by metro
We profile the most generous hospital charity-care programs in these 50 metros:
Frequently asked questions
What is hospital charity care?
Charity care (also called financial assistance) is free or discounted care that hospitals offer lower-income patients. Nonprofit hospitals are required to have a written financial assistance policy, and many for-profit hospitals offer one too. The income limits vary widely, which is why comparing hospitals matters.
What does “free care up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level” mean?
It means a household earning up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level for its size may qualify for fully free care at that hospital. For 2026, 300% of the poverty level is roughly $46,900 for one person and about $81,960 for a family of four. A hospital with a higher percentage is more generous.
Can I get charity care after I already have a bill?
Yes. You can usually apply for financial assistance after you receive a bill, often for up to 240 days after the first bill. If you already have a bill, CareRoute Bill Defense can apply for you and work to reduce it.
My city is not listed. What can I do?
We are adding more metros over time. Even if yours is not profiled yet, most hospitals offer some financial assistance. Ask the billing office for the application, and see our guide to hospital financial assistance for the uninsured.
This tool is general information, not legal or financial advice. Hospital financial assistance policies change; income limits and eligibility are set by each hospital and require an application with documentation to confirm.