Advocate Health Financial Assistance: Free Care to 300% FPL + Discounts to 600% FPL (2026 Guide)

Advocate Health Care (Illinois)

~11 hospitals across greater Chicago and surrounding areas

Aurora Health Care (Wisconsin)

~15 hospitals across Wisconsin

Atrium Health (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama)

~40+ hospitals across the Southeast, including Wake Forest Baptist Health

Plus many additional community hospitals and facilities across the Carolinas, Georgia, and Alabama. Visit atriumhealth.org for a complete list.

1. Contact a Financial Advocate

Call your regional phone number to discuss the denial. Common reasons include income above the threshold, missing documentation, residency issues, or failure to complete Medicaid screening.

2. Reapply with Additional Documentation

If your situation has changed or you can provide more complete documentation, submit a new application. Make sure all fields are completed and all required documents are included.

3. Explore Other Options

• State Medicaid: Each state has its own Medicaid program with different income limits (generally up to 138% FPL for adults under ACA expansion)
• Automatic uninsured discount: In IL/WI, the 50% uninsured discount applies automatically, no application needed
• Payment plans: Set up an extended, interest-free payment plan for remaining balances
• Request an itemized bill: Review charges for errors or services you did not receive
• Hospital billing ombudsman: Ask to speak with a patient advocate or ombudsman about your options

Who qualifies for Advocate Health financial assistance?

Patients with household income at or below 300% FPL (~$47,880/yr single) qualify for 100% free care. Uninsured patients with income between 301-600% FPL (~$95,760/yr single) qualify for partial discounts. You must be a permanent resident of Illinois, Wisconsin, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, or Alabama. Both insured and uninsured patients are eligible.

What is the difference between the Advocate Aurora and Atrium Health regions?

Since the 2022 merger, Advocate Health has implemented a unified enterprise financial assistance policy (effective January 2025). The core thresholds are the same across all regions. The main differences are contact numbers, application forms, and the automatic 50% uninsured discount that is specific to the Advocate Aurora (IL/WI) region.

Do uninsured patients get an automatic discount?

In the Advocate Aurora region (Illinois and Wisconsin), all uninsured patients automatically receive a 50% discount off gross charges on medically necessary services, with no application needed. Additional financial assistance based on income can be applied on top of this discount.

Does Advocate Health cover insured patients?

Yes. Both insured and uninsured patients with qualifying household income are eligible. Insured patients can receive help with out-of-pocket costs including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance after insurance pays its portion.

What is the 20% annual cap?

For uninsured patients with income between 301-600% FPL who qualify for partial financial assistance, the maximum amount Advocate Health may collect in a 12-month period for hospital services is 20% of the patient's family income. This protects patients from bills that would consume a disproportionate share of their earnings.

How long do I have to apply?

You have 240 days from the date of your first post-discharge billing statement to submit a completed financial assistance application with supporting documentation. Do not wait until collection actions begin.