Catholic Health Buffalo Financial Assistance: Free Care at 300% FPL, Discounts to 400% FPL (2026 Guide)
Catholic Health is Western New York's largest faith-based healthcare system, operating six hospitals across Buffalo, the Southtowns, and Niagara County. The system's Healthcare Assistance Program is notably more generous than what New York state law requires: Catholic Health provides 100% free care at 300% FPL (the state mandates only 200%). Patients earning between 301% and 400% FPL receive sliding-scale discounts. With no application deadline under NY law, you can apply at any point after receiving care.
Quick Eligibility Summary
Who Qualifies for Catholic Health Buffalo Financial Assistance?
100% Free Care (at or below 300% FPL)
Catholic Health provides complete charity care for patients with household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. This is 50% more generous than the state minimum of 200% FPL. For a single person in 2026, 300% FPL is approximately $47,880/year. For a family of four, approximately $99,000/year. Your entire bill is written off, including emergency, inpatient, and outpatient services at all six hospitals.
Discounted Care (301-400% FPL)
Patients with income between 301% and 400% FPL receive a sliding-scale discount. The exact discount percentage depends on where your income falls within this range. Financial counselors will calculate your specific discount based on household size and income documentation.
What is covered?
The Healthcare Assistance Program covers all medically necessary services provided at Catholic Health facilities, including emergency department visits, inpatient admissions, outpatient surgery, diagnostic imaging, and lab work. Elective cosmetic procedures are generally excluded. Financial counselors will also screen you for Medicaid, the Essential Plan, or Child Health Plus before processing charity care.
Six Catholic Health Hospitals in Western New York
The Healthcare Assistance Program applies at all six Catholic Health hospitals. Each location has on-site financial counselors who can process your application.
Buffalo / Southtowns
- Mercy Hospital of Buffalo (565 Abbott Rd) - Full-service acute care, regional heart center
- Sisters of Charity Hospital (2157 Main St) - Founded 1848, oldest hospital in the region
- Sisters of Charity, St. Joseph Campus (2605 Harlem Rd, Cheektowaga)
North Towns / Niagara
- Kenmore Mercy Hospital (2950 Elmwood Ave, Kenmore) - Stroke and orthopedic center
- Mount St. Mary's Hospital (5300 Military Rd, Lewiston) - Serves Niagara County
- Mercy Hospital Orchard Park Division (Orchard Park)
Important: Catholic Health also operates primary care offices, urgent care centers, and outpatient facilities across Western New York. Financial assistance covers services at all Catholic Health-owned locations. Ask your financial counselor to confirm coverage for your specific facility.
Need Help with a Catholic Health Bill?
CareRoute can help you understand your options, draft appeal letters, and navigate the financial assistance application process.
Try Bill DefenseNew York State Patient Protections
New York has some of the strongest medical debt protections in the country. Laws effective in 2024 significantly expanded patient rights. These apply at all Catholic Health hospitals.
Free Care Mandated at 200% FPL (Catholic Health Goes Further)
New York law requires all hospitals to provide 100% free care at or below 200% FPL and discounts up to 400% FPL. Catholic Health exceeds this by offering free care at 300% FPL, covering significantly more patients than the law requires.
No Lawsuits Against Patients Under 400% FPL
Hospitals cannot sue patients earning under 400% FPL to collect medical debt. Before any legal action, the hospital's CFO must sign an attestation confirming the patient's income exceeds 400% FPL.
No Application Deadline
Under NY law, patients can apply for financial assistance at any time. There is no deadline, even during the collections process. Do not let a bill go to collections without applying.
Medical Debt Cannot Appear on Credit Reports
Medical debt cannot be reported to credit bureaus in New York. An unpaid Catholic Health bill will not affect your credit score.
No Wage Garnishment or Property Liens
Hospitals cannot garnish your wages, place liens on your property, or force sale of your home to collect medical debt.
Credit Card Payment Warning
Do not pay medical bills with a credit card. Under a 2024 NY law, medical bills paid by credit card are no longer classified as medical debt. You lose state and federal protections once you put the charge on a credit card.
Learn more about your rights: New York Medical Bill Rights Guide
How to Apply for Catholic Health Buffalo Financial Assistance
Contact the Healthcare Assistance Program
Call (716) 828-2400 or visit the financial counseling office at any Catholic Health hospital. You can also ask at registration or the emergency department to speak with a financial counselor. Interpreters are available if you do not speak English.
Gather Your Documents
Bring four recent pay stubs (or tax returns if self-employed), bank statements (retirement accounts and annuities are generally excluded), proof of household size, and a photo ID. If you have no income, a written statement explaining your situation is accepted.
Complete the Application
Fill out the Healthcare Assistance Program application with help from a financial counselor. The counselor will first screen you for Medicaid, Essential Plan, or Child Health Plus. If you do not qualify for government programs, your charity care application will be processed.
Submit and Keep Copies
Submit your completed application with all documentation. Keep copies of everything. Ask for a receipt or confirmation number. Request a timeline for when you can expect a determination.
Receive Your Determination
Catholic Health will review your application and notify you by mail. If approved at 300% FPL or below, your balance is written off. If approved at 301-400% FPL, a sliding-scale discount is applied. The determination typically arrives within 30 days.
If Your Application Is Denied
If Catholic Health denies your financial assistance application, you have options:
- 1.Request a written explanation of the denial reason. This is your right under NY law.
- 2.Appeal the decision. Provide updated documentation that addresses the specific denial reason (for example, corrected income verification or additional household members).
- 3.Contact the NY State Department of Health at 1-800-804-5447 if you believe the hospital is not following financial assistance requirements.
- 4.Request a payment plan. Even without full charity care approval, Catholic Health may offer interest-free payment plans to manage your balance over time.
- 5.Remember the lawsuit protection. If your income is under 400% FPL, Catholic Health cannot sue you for the debt under New York law.
Denied? Let Us Help You Appeal
CareRoute can help you draft an appeal letter, cite the right NY state provisions, and build a case for reconsideration of your Catholic Health financial assistance application.
Start Your Appeal with Bill DefenseContact Information
Frequently Asked Questions
What income level qualifies for free care at Catholic Health Buffalo?
Patients with household income at or below 300% FPL receive 100% free care. This is more generous than the state minimum of 200% FPL. For a single person in 2026, 300% FPL is approximately $47,880. For a family of four, approximately $99,000.
Is there a deadline to apply?
No. Under New York state law (effective October 2024), there is no deadline to apply for hospital financial assistance. You can apply at any point, including after receiving a bill or during the collections process.
Do I need to be a US citizen?
No. Catholic Health serves all patients regardless of immigration status. Financial assistance eligibility is based on income and household size, not citizenship. You can apply regardless of immigration status under NY law.
What documents do I need?
Typically four recent pay stubs (or tax returns), bank statements (excluding retirement accounts), proof of household size, and photo ID. If you have no income, a written statement is accepted.
Can Catholic Health send my bill to collections?
Under NY law, hospitals cannot sell patient debt to third-party collection agencies. They also cannot sue patients with income under 400% FPL. If you receive collection notices, apply for financial assistance immediately and cite these protections.
Does financial assistance cover the emergency room?
Yes. Emergency department visits, inpatient stays, outpatient surgery, and diagnostic services at all six Catholic Health hospitals are covered by the Healthcare Assistance Program.
Related Guides
Other Buffalo-area hospital financial assistance guides and New York state protections.
Last updated: May 2026. Information is based on publicly available Catholic Health financial assistance policies and New York state law. Always confirm current eligibility requirements directly with Catholic Health financial counseling.