Baylor Scott & White Financial Assistance (Charity Care): How to Qualify & Apply

Complete guide to Baylor Scott & White Health Financial Assistance Program (FAP), including eligibility requirements, income limits, required documents, and step-by-step application instructions.

Our Bill Defense team can apply for financial assistance on your behalf, follow up with the hospital, provide any additional documentation they request, and find other ways to reduce your bill (billing errors, insurance disputes, negotiation). You pay $0 unless we save you money.

Quick Facts

100% Free Care

Income at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level

Discounted Care

201-500% Federal Poverty Level + high medical bills

Geographic Requirement

TX service area for non-emergency

1-800-994-0371

Patient Financial Services

Eligibility at a Glance (Federal Poverty Level Table)

Income Level	Family of 1	Family of 2	Family of 3	Family of 4	Discount
200% FPL or below	Up to $31,200	Up to $42,380	Up to $53,560	Up to $64,740	100% Free
201-500% FPL	$31,201-$78,000	$42,381-$105,950	$53,561-$133,900	$64,741-$161,850	Discount Available*
Above 500% FPL	Above $78,000	Above $105,950	Above $133,900	Above $161,850	Not eligible

*2025 Federal Poverty Level guidelines. Add $5,380 for each additional family member.

*High Medical Bills Requirement (201-500% Federal Poverty Level):

To qualify for discounted care, your Baylor Scott & White medical bills (after insurance) must be at least 5% of your yearly household income.

How the Discount is Calculated:

Your out-of-pocket amount is capped at the lowest of:

Your current account balance
10% of gross charges (hospital's before-discount "list price")
The AGB cap (amounts generally billed to insured patients)

Example: Hospital's original price $50,000 → 10% = $5,000; your current balance $10,000; insurance cap $15,000 → you pay the lowest amount: $5,000.

What You'll Need (Documents Checklist)

Income Verification (Required)

Last 2 months of pay stubs OR
Most recent W-2 forms OR
Prior year tax return (all pages)
Unemployment/disability award letters

Asset Documentation

Last 3 months bank statements (all accounts)
Investment account statements (if applicable)

Identification & Household

Photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
Social Security cards for all household members
Birth certificates for dependents

Tip: Make copies of all documents before submitting. Keep originals for your records.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

Check Your Eligibility

Review the income table above. Calculate your household income including all sources: wages, self-employment, unemployment, disability, Social Security, etc.

5 minutes

Gather Documents

Collect all required documents from the checklist. Having everything ready speeds up approval.

15 minutes

Get the Application

Visit the BSW Financial Assistance page online, submit the Patient Billing Help Form, call Patient Financial Services, or visit any Baylor Scott & White registration desk.

5 minutes

Complete Application

Fill out all sections completely. Include all household members. List all income sources. Sign and date.

20 minutes

Submit Your Application

Mail to: Baylor Scott & White Health, PO Box 650996, Dallas, TX 75265-0996. Or fax to: 254-899-4679. Or deliver in person to any registration desk.

5 minutes

Follow Up

Call after 7 business days to check status. Reference your account number. Be ready to provide additional documents if requested.

Ongoing

Timelines, Status & Appeals

Processing Times

Complete Application:7-14 business days
Incomplete Application:30+ days (waiting for documents)
Appeal Review:15-30 business days

Check Your Status

Call: 1-800-994-0371

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm CT

Have ready: Account number, patient name, date of birth

If Denied: Appeal Process

1.Submit appeal within 30 days of denial letter date
2.Include: Written statement explaining why you disagree, any new documentation, proof of changed circumstances
3.Mail to same address or fax to 254-899-4679 with "APPEAL" clearly marked
4.Request billing hold during appeal review to prevent collections

Denied or need more help? If your charity care application is denied, or your bill has other issues beyond financial assistance (billing errors, insurance underpayment),CareRoute's Bill Defense team can appeal the denial, identify additional savings, and handle all communications with the hospital on your behalf.

Common Pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

⚠️ Missing Documents

Solution: Submit ALL required documents at once. Partial applications delay processing significantly.

⚠️ Not Including All Income

Solution: List every income source for all household members. Omissions can result in denial or legal issues.

⚠️ Wrong Household Size

Solution: Include everyone in your tax household, not just immediate family. Review IRS household definition if unsure.

⚠️ Missing Deadlines

Solution: Apply within 365 days of your first billing statement. Mark calendar for follow-ups. Respond to requests within timeframes given.

⚠️ Not Following Up

Solution: Call after 7 days to confirm receipt. Many applications sit waiting for one missing document.

Collections Policy

BSW Bars Extraordinary Collection Actions

Baylor Scott & White states it does not engage in extraordinary collection actions, which they define as:

No selling debt to third parties
No credit bureau reporting
No denying medically necessary care for past-due bills
No liens or legal actions

Collections Timeline

Payment due 30 days after receiving the bill
BSW calls to request payment, informing patients about FA during each call
120-day notification period per 501(r) before any ECAs
FA application window: 365 days from first billing statement (longer than the 240-day federal minimum)

Texas State Protections

11-month billing deadline: Providers must bill within 11 months of service or may lose the right to collect
Itemized bill required with plain-language descriptions before collections
4-year statute of limitations on medical debt
Surprise billing ban for emergency care and in-network facilities (since Jan 2020)

For more, see our Texas Medical Bill Rights guide.

BSW History: $48M Settlement

Heart Hospital Baylor Plano (a BSW system hospital) paid $48 million in 2020 to settle False Claims Act allegations. Two whistleblower physicians alleged the hospital required physician-owners to refer at least 48 patients per year, more than standard at comparable hospitals.

Already in collections? Read our full 7-step collections playbook for debt validation scripts, settlement strategies, and credit protection tips.

Contacts & Official Links

Patient Financial Services

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Central

Mailing Address

Fax Number

Official Resources

Financial Assistance Program →Patient Billing Help Form →

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for Baylor Scott & White financial assistance?

Patients with household income up to 500% of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify. Those at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level receive 100% discount, while 201-500% Federal Poverty Level may receive discounted care if they have high medical bills (BSW bills at least 5% of annual income). Emergency care is available to all patients; non-emergency care requires Texas service area residency.

What documents do I need to apply for Baylor Scott & White charity care?

Essential documents include: recent pay stubs or W-2 forms, tax returns, bank statements for all accounts, proof of household size (birth certificates for dependents), and photo ID. If receiving unemployment or disability benefits, include award letters. Uninsured patients should bring documentation showing lack of insurance coverage.

How long does the Baylor Scott & White financial assistance application take?

Processing times vary based on application completeness and current volume. Complete applications are typically processed faster than incomplete ones. You can check status by calling Patient Financial Services at 1-800-994-0371.

Can I apply for Baylor Scott & White financial assistance after receiving my bill?

Yes, you can apply up to 365 days from the first billing statement. Apply as soon as possible to avoid collection activities. BSW encourages patients to apply for financial assistance before or during treatment when possible. Request a billing hold while your application is under review.

What if my Baylor Scott & White financial assistance application is denied?

You have the right to appeal the decision. Contact Patient Financial Services to understand the denial reason and appeal process. If you do not qualify for charity care, ask about payment plans, prompt pay discounts, or other financial hardship options that may be available.

Next Steps

Get Professional Bill Negotiation Help

Expert advocates fight for maximum savings - pay only if we reduce your bill

See Texas Bill Rights

Know your state protections and programs

Related Resources:

All Hospital Financial Assistance Programs•Medical Bill Reduction Guide•Texas Medical Bill Rights•Bill Defense Professional Service

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Eligibility requirements and processes may change. Always confirm current policies directly with Baylor Scott & White Health.CareRoute is not affiliated with Baylor Scott & White Health.