Cleveland Clinic Financial Assistance (Charity Care): Complete 2026 Guide

Cleveland Clinic posts financial assistance information by region (Cleveland Clinic Ohio & Nevada vs Cleveland Clinic Florida). This guide summarizes eligibility, income limits, required documents, and step-by-step application instructions, and highlights where coverage can vary by location and provider.

Eligibility Other ways to qualify Documents How to apply Contacts FAQ

Quick Facts

100% Free Care

Income at or below 250% FPL (primarily for uninsured)

Discounted Care

Income 251-400% FPL (primarily for uninsured)

Apply on Time

Submit within 240 days of the first billing statement

866-621-6385

Customer Service

Covered Cleveland Clinic Locations

Cleveland Clinic posts financial assistance details by region. Use the official resources below to confirm your specific facility, covered services, and any state-specific rules.

Ohio (Main Campus & Regional Hospitals)

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

Fairview Hospital

Hillcrest Hospital

Marymount Hospital

South Pointe Hospital

Lutheran Hospital

Medina Hospital

Akron General

Mercy Hospital

Euclid Hospital

Lakewood Medical Center

Avon Hospital

Cleveland Clinic Children's

Florida

Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital

Cleveland Clinic Indian River

Cleveland Clinic Martin North

Cleveland Clinic Martin South

Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital

Nevada

Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

Cleveland Clinic Nevada

Note: Financial assistance policies are location-specific and may not apply to every Cleveland Clinic Health System facility. Provider coverage can vary (some private-practice physicians are excluded), so check the provider exclusion list and confirm with Customer Service.

Eligibility & Income Limits (2026 Federal Poverty Level) → Eligibility & Income Limits (2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines)

Income Level	Family of 1	Family of 2	Family of 3	Family of 4	Assistance
100% FPL (Ohio HCAP)	Up to $15,960	Up to $21,640	Up to $27,320	Up to $33,000	100% Free
250% FPL or below	Up to $39,900	Up to $54,100	Up to $68,300	Up to $82,500	100% Free
251-400% FPL	$39,901-$63,840	$54,101-$86,560	$68,301-$109,280	$82,501-$132,000	Discounted*

2026 Federal Poverty Level guidelines. Add $5,680 for each additional family member above 4.

Important Notes:

• Discounted care is reduced to the "amount generally billed" to insured patients
• Ohio HCAP (Hospital Care Assurance Program) provides free care at 100% FPL for Ohio residents
• Financial assistance applies to emergency and medically necessary care only
• All applicants must cooperate with Medicaid screening

Additional Ways to Qualify

Catastrophic Balance

If your Cleveland Clinic balance exceeds 25% of your annual family income, you may qualify for financial assistance regardless of your income level. This applies to charges from an episode of care (excludes patients with out-of-network insurance).

Exceptional Circumstances

Patients experiencing extreme personal and financial hardship, including terminal illness or catastrophic medical conditions, may qualify on a case-by-case basis even if they don't meet standard income criteria.

Maternity Services (Ohio Residents)

Pregnant patients with insurance that doesn't cover maternity benefits may qualify if their income is below 400% FPL and they are Ohio residents.

Required Documents Checklist

Income Verification (Required)

Recent pay stubs (last 2-3 months) OR
Most recent tax return (all pages) OR
Unemployment/disability benefits documentation (if applicable)

Identification & Household

Photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
Social Security information
Household size information (family members and dates of birth)

Important: You must cooperate with Cleveland Clinic's Medicaid screening process. Third-party vendors (Centauri Health Solutions, ElevatePFS, or Firstsource) will contact you. Failure to respond may result in being billed.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

Check Your Eligibility

Review the income table above. If your income is at or below 250% FPL, you likely qualify for free care. Ohio residents at 100% FPL qualify through HCAP.

5 minutes

Gather Documents

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

15 minutes

Get the Application

Download from clevelandclinic.org/financialassistance, pick up in admissions or ER, request from a Patient Financial Advocate, or call Customer Service to have one mailed.

5 minutes

Complete Medicaid Screening

Respond to contacts from Medicaid screening vendors (Centauri, ElevatePFS, or Firstsource). This is required for financial assistance consideration.

Varies

Submit Your Application

Mail completed application with all documents to: CCF Financial Assistance Application, PO BOX 932553, Cleveland, OH 44193.

5 minutes

Follow Up

Call Customer Service to check status. Once approved, eligibility is valid for 90 days.

Ongoing

Good News: Cleveland Clinic may use third-party data to presumptively determine your eligibility, which means you could be approved automatically based on available information.

Contacts & Official Links

Customer Service

or 216-445-6249

Ohio Financial Assistance

Mailing Address

Official Resources

Cleveland Clinic Financial Assistance Page Find a Cleveland Clinic Location Financial Assistance Program Summary & Application (PDF)Financial Assistance Program Policy (PDF)Provider Exclusion List (Doctors Not Covered) (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for Cleveland Clinic financial assistance?

Financial assistance income levels generally apply to uninsured patients, and certain insured patients if benefits are exhausted or services aren’t covered. Up to 250% of the Federal Poverty Levels (FPL) may qualify for 100% free care, and 251–400% FPL may qualify for discounted care. Ohio residents at or below 100% FPL may qualify for free care through HCAP.

Does the financial assistance apply to Florida and Nevada locations?

Cleveland Clinic posts financial assistance details by region (Ohio & Nevada vs Florida). Coverage and details can vary by facility and by provider, so confirm your specific location and the provider exclusion list using the official resources.

What is the deadline to apply?

Policies typically respond to applications submitted within 240 days of the first billing statement. Apply as soon as you can and include all required documents to avoid delays.

Does financial assistance cover doctor bills too?

Hospital charges may be covered, but some physician services can be billed separately and may be excluded (for example, private-practice physicians). Check the provider exclusion list and call Customer Service to confirm coverage for your doctor.

What if my bills exceed 25% of my income?

If your Cleveland Clinic balance exceeds 25% of your annual family income (called "Catastrophic Balance"), you may qualify for financial assistance on a case-by-case basis, even if you don't meet standard income criteria. This excludes patients with out-of-network or non-contracted insurance.

How long is the eligibility determination valid?

Once Cleveland Clinic determines that you're eligible for income-based financial assistance, that determination is valid for 90 days from the date of eligibility review.

What is the HCAP program?

The Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP) is an Ohio program that provides free emergency and medically necessary services to Ohio residents who are either (1) currently receiving General Assistance or Disability Assistance, or (2) have income at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Next Steps

Get Professional Medical Bill Negotiation Help

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

Browse Other Hospital Programs

Find financial assistance at other hospitals

Related Resources:

All Hospital Financial Assistance Programs•Medical Bill Reduction Guide•Medical Bill Negotiation Service

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. Eligibility requirements and processes may change. Always confirm current policies directly with Cleveland Clinic.CareRoute is not affiliated with Cleveland Clinic or Cleveland Clinic Health System.