Bon Secours Mercy Health Financial Assistance: Free Care Under 200% FPL, Discounts to 400% FPL (2026 Guide)
Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH) offers 100% free care for patients with household income at or below 200% FPL, with sliding-scale discounts up to 400% FPL. The policy covers all 49 hospitals across Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and South Carolina. BSMH has some of the strongest patient protections of any major system, including a ban on wage garnishment and bank garnishment.
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Quick Facts
100% Free Care
Household income at or below 200% FPL (single: up to ~$31,920/yr, family of 4: up to ~$66,000/yr)
Sliding Scale Discounts
201-400% FPL receive partial discounts (varies by market and facility)
49 Hospitals Covered
Across Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and South Carolina
240-Day Application Window
From your first billing statement. No ECAs during this period.
Covers Insured Patients
Both insured and uninsured patients eligible. Assistance applies to copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.
No Wage or Bank Garnishment
BSMH prohibits wage garnishment, bank garnishment, asset repossession, and foreclosures.
Eligibility & Income Limits (2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines)
| Income Level (% FPL) | Approximate Income (Single) | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| At or below 200% FPL | Up to ~$31,920/yr | 100% Free Care |
| 201-300% FPL | ~$31,921 - ~$47,880/yr | Sliding scale discount (varies by facility) |
| 301-400% FPL | ~$47,881 - ~$63,840/yr | Partial discount (varies by facility) |
| Above 400% FPL | Above ~$63,840/yr | Not eligible (payment plans available) |
Urgent Care facilities: Free care threshold is 300% FPL (more generous than hospital policy).
Important Notes
- Both insured and uninsured patients are eligible. Insured patients can get help with copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.
- Eligibility is based on family income, family size, and medical needs.
- Formal income verification is not always required. You may qualify by attesting to your income level.
- Uninsured patients must first explore eligibility for Medicaid and other insurance programs.
- BSMH performs presumptive screening 90-100 days after service to automatically identify eligible patients.
- You must apply within 240 days of your first billing statement.
- No eligible patient will be charged more than the Amounts Generally Billed (AGB) to insured patients.
49 Hospitals Covered (4 States)
Virginia — Bon Secours (11 Hospitals)
Richmond Market
Hampton Roads Market
Ohio — Mercy Health (23 Hospitals)
Cincinnati (6)
Toledo (7)
Youngstown (3)
Other Ohio Locations
Kentucky (2 Hospitals)
South Carolina (2 Hospitals)
Documents You Will Need
Income Information
- Household income and family size (self-attestation may be accepted)
- Recent pay stubs or tax returns (if available)
- Benefit letters (Social Security, disability, unemployment)
Other Information
- Insurance status documentation
- Government-issued photo ID
- Medicaid denial letter (if applicable)
Simplified process: BSMH does not always require formal income verification. You may qualify by attesting to your income level on the application. The system also uses presumptive screening to automatically identify eligible patients 90-100 days after service.
How to Apply (Step by Step)
Check Your Eligibility
100% free care at or below 200% FPL (~$31,920/yr single, ~$66,000/yr family of 4). Sliding-scale discounts for 201-400% FPL. Urgent care: free care up to 300% FPL.
Get the Application
Download from bonsecours.com (Virginia/SC) or mercy.com (Ohio/KY). Or request one by calling the numbers below. Available in multiple languages.
Explore Insurance Options First
Uninsured patients must participate with the insurance eligibility vendor to check for Medicaid, workers' comp, or other coverage before receiving financial assistance.
Submit Your Application
You can submit by:
- Bon Secours (VA/SC): P.O. Box 631360, Cincinnati, OH 45263-1360
- Mercy Health (OH/KY): PO Box 631774, Cincinnati, OH 45263-1774
- In person: At any BSMH hospital (ask for the Financial Counselor)
Follow Up
Call Bon Secours at 1-877-342-1500 or Mercy Health at 1-877-918-5400 to confirm receipt and check status.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Missing the deadline: Apply within 240 days of your first billing statement.
- Wrong application: Bon Secours and Mercy Health use different application forms. Use the right one for your facility.
- Skipping Medicaid screening: Uninsured patients must check for other coverage first.
- Not following up: Confirm receipt of your application by phone.
Strong Collections Protections
Bon Secours Mercy Health has some of the strongest patient protections against collections of any major hospital system:
BSMH Will NEVER:
- Garnish your wages
- Garnish your bank account
- Repossess your assets
- Foreclose on your property
- Approve legal action by collection vendors
Timeline Protections:
- 240-day moratorium before any ECAs
- Presumptive screening at 90-100 days
- ECAs limited to credit reporting and legal process only
- Urgent care facilities: NO ECAs at all
What If You Are Denied?
1. Contact Patient Financial Services
Call Bon Secours at 1-877-342-1500 or Mercy Health at 1-877-918-5400 to discuss the denial and understand the reason.
2. Request Reconsideration
Submit additional documentation supporting your case. If your financial situation has changed, provide updated income information. You can also meet with a hospital financial counselor in person.
3. Explore Other Options
- Automatic self-pay discount: Patients who don't qualify for FA still receive a self-pay discount
- Payment plans: Call 1-888-396-8001 to set up a payment plan based on your financial situation
- Request an itemized bill: Review charges for errors
- Medicaid: Check eligibility at your state Medicaid office
- Ohio HCAP: Ohio residents at or below 100% FPL may qualify for the Hospital Care Assurance Program (free care, separate from FA)
Let CareRoute Bill Defense Help
If your application was denied or you need help negotiating your bill, CareRoute Bill Defense can review your case and negotiate on your behalf at no upfront cost.
Get Help with Your BillContact Information
Bon Secours (Virginia / South Carolina)
Mercy Health (Ohio / Kentucky)
Payment Plans & Billing
State-Specific Protections
Virginia
- Hospitals must screen every uninsured patient for Medicaid and FA eligibility
- Payment plan interest cannot exceed the state judgment rate
- No fees for payment plans, prepayment without penalty
- Either party can renegotiate payment plans at no cost
Ohio
- Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP): free care at or below 100% FPL
- HCAP is mandatory at all Ohio hospitals, in addition to hospital FA policies
- State mandates minimum income limits for nonprofit hospital charity care
South Carolina
- Medically Indigent Assistance Program covers services at or below 200% FPL
- State mandates minimum income limits for charity care
Kentucky
- Medicaid expansion covers residents up to 138% FPL
- Federal 501(r) requirements apply to nonprofit hospitals
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Bon Secours Mercy Health financial assistance?
Patients with household income at or below 200% FPL (~$31,920/yr for a single person) qualify for 100% free care. Sliding-scale discounts are available for 201-400% FPL. Both insured and uninsured patients are eligible.
Will Bon Secours Mercy Health garnish my wages?
No. BSMH explicitly prohibits wage garnishment, bank garnishment, asset repossession, and foreclosures. They also will not approve legal action by third-party collection vendors. Their ECAs are limited to credit reporting only.
Do I need proof of income to apply?
Not always. BSMH may accept your self-attestation of income on the application. Supporting documentation can strengthen your application but is not strictly required in all cases. The system also uses presumptive screening to automatically qualify eligible patients.
Does BSMH cover insured patients?
Yes. Both insured and uninsured patients are eligible. Underinsured patients can receive assistance on remaining out-of-pocket costs (copays, deductibles, coinsurance) after insurance pays its portion.
Which application form should I use?
Use the Bon Secours application if you were treated at a Virginia or South Carolina facility. Use the Mercy Health application if you were treated at an Ohio or Kentucky facility. Both are available on their respective websites.
What is the Ohio HCAP program?
The Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP) provides free hospital services to Ohio residents with income at or below 100% FPL who are not eligible for Medicaid. This is a mandatory state program at all Ohio hospitals, separate from Mercy Health's own financial assistance policy. You may qualify for both.
Need Help with Your Bon Secours or Mercy Health Bill?
CareRoute Bill Defense can review your medical bills, identify savings opportunities, and negotiate 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 Bon Secours Mercy Health financial assistance policies as of 2026. Eligibility requirements, income thresholds, and application processes may change. Always verify current requirements directly with Bon Secours at 1-877-342-1500 or Mercy Health at 1-877-918-5400.