Ascension Health Financial Assistance: Free Care to 250% FPL at ~139 Hospitals Across 19 States (2026 Guide)
Ascension is one of the largest nonprofit Catholic health systems in the United States, operating approximately 139 hospitals across 19 states and Washington, D.C. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Ascension is required to offer financial assistance under federal 501(r) rules. Patients with income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for 100% free charity care, and sliding-scale discounts extend to 400% FPL. Both insured and uninsured patients are eligible.
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Quick Facts
100% Free Care
Household income at 0-250% FPL (single: up to ~$39,900/yr) qualifies for full charity care on patient-responsibility charges
Sliding Scale to 400% FPL
75% to 90% discount for income between 250-400% FPL (~$39,900 to ~$63,840/yr single)
~139 Hospitals in 19 States + DC
One of the largest nonprofit health systems in the U.S., with consistent financial assistance policies across markets
240-Day Application Window
From your first billing statement. 120-day moratorium on extraordinary collection actions.
Covers Insured and Uninsured Patients
Both insured and uninsured patients are eligible. Insured patients can get help with remaining out-of-pocket costs after insurance pays. Uninsured patients may also receive an uninsured discount.
Who Qualifies for Ascension Financial Assistance?
- Patients with household income at or below 250% FPL receive 100% charity care (free care)
- Patients with income between 250-400% FPL receive sliding-scale discounts (75% to 90% off)
- Patients above 400% FPL may still qualify under a means test if total medical debt (including debt to other providers) equals or exceeds household gross income
- Both insured and uninsured patients are eligible
- Applies to emergency and medically necessary care
- Ascension will never charge FA-eligible patients more than Amounts Generally Billed (AGB) to insured patients
Income Guidelines (2026 Federal Poverty Levels)
| Income Level (% FPL) | Approximate Income (Single) | Discount Level |
|---|---|---|
| 0-250% FPL | Up to ~$39,900/yr | 100% Free Care (Charity Care) |
| 251-300% FPL | ~$39,901 - ~$47,880/yr | 90% discount |
| 301-350% FPL | ~$47,881 - ~$55,860/yr | 80% discount |
| 351-400% FPL | ~$55,861 - ~$63,840/yr | 75% discount |
| Above 400% FPL | Above ~$63,840/yr | May qualify via means test (if medical debt exceeds income) |
Important Notes
- Income thresholds are based on household size and gross income. A family of 4 at 250% FPL is approximately $78,750/yr.
- Ascension may use presumptive eligibility scoring to automatically approve patients for 100% charity care without a formal application.
- Uninsured patients should cooperate with Medicaid and government assistance screening.
- Apply within 240 days of your first billing statement.
- The policy applies to the patient-responsibility portion of charges after insurance payments.
How to Apply (Step by Step)
Check Your Eligibility
100% free care at 0-250% FPL. Sliding-scale discounts (75-90%) at 250-400% FPL. Above 400% FPL, you may still qualify if total medical debt exceeds your household income.
Find Your Local Ascension Market
Visit healthcare.ascension.org/financial-assistance and select your state and facility. Each market has its own application form and financial counseling contact information.
Complete the Application
Download the Financial Assistance Application for your specific Ascension facility. Applications are available in English and Spanish. Fill out all fields completely, including household income and family size.
Gather and Submit Documentation
You can submit by:
- Online: Through the Ascension financial assistance portal for your market
- In person: At the financial counseling office at any Ascension hospital
- Mail: To the address listed on your market's application form
Follow Up
Contact your local Ascension financial counseling office to confirm receipt and check your application status. Keep copies of everything you submit.
Documents You Will Need
Income Verification
- Recent pay stubs (last 3 months)
- Most recent federal tax return
- Benefit letters (Social Security, disability, unemployment)
- Self-employment income documentation
Other Documentation
- Government-issued photo ID
- Proof of household size
- Insurance information (if applicable)
- For means test: documentation of all medical debt
May 2024 Cyberattack: Check Your Bills for Errors
In May 2024, Ascension experienced a major ransomware cyberattack that disrupted clinical and billing systems across all facilities for several weeks. During the outage, staff reverted to paper-based processes, and normal billing workflows were interrupted.
What This Means for Patients
- Patients who received care between May and August 2024 may have received incorrect bills
- Some charges may have been duplicated, miscoded, or applied to the wrong account
- Insurance claims may not have been submitted properly during the outage
- Request an itemized bill and compare it to your records and explanation of benefits (EOB) from your insurer
- If you find errors, contact Ascension billing and dispute the charges in writing
If you are struggling with a bill from this period and suspect errors, CareRoute Bill Defense can help you review the charges and dispute incorrect billing.
Payment Plans
If you do not qualify for full charity care or still have a remaining balance after financial assistance is applied, Ascension offers interest-free payment plans.
- Interest-free: Ascension payment plans do not charge interest
- Flexible terms: Monthly payments based on your ability to pay
- Set up by phone or in person: Contact your local Ascension billing office to arrange a plan
- No extraordinary collection actions while a payment plan is active and payments are current
Important Warnings and Tips
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Missing the deadline: Apply within 240 days of your first billing statement. After that, your application may be denied.
- Wrong application form: Each Ascension market has its own application. Make sure you use the correct one for your facility.
- Incomplete application: Missing information or documentation can delay or result in denial. Double-check before submitting.
- Ignoring presumptive eligibility: Ascension may automatically approve you without an application. Check your bill statements for charity care credits before assuming you need to apply.
- Not screening for Medicaid: Uninsured patients should apply for Medicaid first, as Ascension may require this before processing financial assistance.
Pro Tips
- Request an itemized bill before applying. Look for duplicate charges, incorrect codes, and services you did not receive.
- Apply before your bill goes to collections. While you can still apply after collection referral (within 240 days), it is much easier to resolve beforehand.
- Ask about the means test if your income is above 400% FPL but you have significant medical debt from any provider.
- Keep copies of everything you submit, including the application, supporting documents, and any correspondence.
- Michigan patients: Ascension sold all 3 Michigan hospitals to Prime Healthcare in late 2024. If your care was at a former Ascension Michigan facility, check whether Ascension or Prime Healthcare handles your bill.
Ascension States and Major Brands
Major Ascension Brands by State
States with Ascension Facilities
Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.
Note: Ascension divested some facilities in 2024, including all 3 Michigan hospitals (sold to Prime Healthcare). Verify your facility is still part of the Ascension system before applying.
Contact Information
Financial Assistance Portal
Select your state and facility to find the correct application, policy documents, and local contact information.
Billing Questions
General Ascension billing line. You may be directed to your local market's billing department.
Official Policy Documents
- Ascension Financial Assistance Main Page (select your state/facility for specific documents)
Each Ascension market publishes its own Financial Assistance Policy (FAP), plain language summary, and application form. Use the main page above to find documents for your specific facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Ascension financial assistance?
Patients with household income at or below 250% FPL (~$39,900/yr single) qualify for 100% free charity care. Income between 250-400% FPL receives 75-90% discounts on a sliding scale. Patients above 400% FPL may qualify under a means test if total medical debt exceeds household income. Both insured and uninsured patients are eligible.
How do I find the application for my Ascension hospital?
Visit healthcare.ascension.org/financial-assistance and select your state and facility. Each market has its own application form, so it is important to use the correct one for your hospital.
Does Ascension offer uninsured discounts?
Yes. Uninsured patients who do not qualify for full charity care may still receive a discount. Ascension will never charge financial assistance-eligible patients more than the Amounts Generally Billed (AGB) to insured patients.
What is the means test for patients above 400% FPL?
If your household income is above 400% FPL but your total medical debt (including debt to Ascension and any other healthcare providers for emergency and medically necessary care) equals or exceeds your household gross income, you may still qualify for a discount. Contact your local Ascension financial counseling office to discuss this option.
Can I apply after my bill goes to collections?
Yes, as long as you apply within 240 days of your first billing statement. Ascension cannot initiate extraordinary collection actions for at least 120 days after the initial billing statement date.
Should I review bills from the May 2024 cyberattack period?
Yes. The ransomware attack in May 2024 disrupted billing systems across all Ascension facilities. If you received care between May and August 2024, request an itemized bill and compare it against your insurance EOB statements. Report any discrepancies to Ascension billing immediately.
Need Help with Your Ascension Hospital Bill?
CareRoute Bill Defense can review your medical bills, identify savings opportunities, and negotiate with Ascension on your behalf. No upfront cost.
Start Your Free Case ReviewThis guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Information is based on publicly available Ascension Health financial assistance policies as of 2026. Eligibility requirements, income thresholds, and application processes may change. Each Ascension market may have minor variations in its policy. Always verify current requirements directly with your local Ascension facility or visit healthcare.ascension.org/financial-assistance.