Denver Health Financial Assistance: Income Limits and How to Apply (2026)

Denver Health offers 100% free care to patients with household income at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $33,000 a year for a family of four) and discounted care up to 250% FPL. Here is who qualifies, what you need, and how to apply.

Updated July 2026

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Denver Health Income Limits for Free Care

Your eligibility is based on household income as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level. Free care applies at or below 100% FPL; discounted care applies up to 250% FPL.

Household size	Free care if income is at or below (100% FPL)	Discounted care up to (250% FPL)
1 person	$15,960	$39,900
2 people	$21,640	$54,100
3 people	$27,320	$68,300
4 people	$33,000	$82,500
5 people	$38,680	$96,700
6 people	$44,360	$110,900

Income figures use 2026 Federal Poverty Level guidelines and are rounded. Actual eligibility depends on the hospital's review of your application.

What Denver Health Offers

Free care

100% of the bill at or below 100% FPL. Under the Sliding Fee Discount Program (Range A, at or below 100% FPL), hospital admissions, ER visits, labs, imaging, surgical services, and pharmacy are billed at $0, with only nominal flat fees (about $15) for primary, urgent, and specialty clinic visits; the 100% FPL free threshold is inferred from the published Range A fee chart.

Discounted care

Up to 250% FPL, as a sliding-scale discount.

Uninsured discount

Uninsured patients are automatically screened (they must opt out); those at or below 250% FPL are billed no more than the state-set rate, which approximates the greater of 100% of Medicare or 100% of Medicaid.

Hardship / catastrophic

Under Colorado Hospital Discounted Care, monthly payments are capped at 4% of gross monthly household income for hospital bills and 2% for hospital-based professional bills (6% combined), and any remaining balance is considered paid in full after 36 monthly payments, functioning as high-medical-expense relief.

How to Apply for Denver Health Financial Assistance

1
Request an itemized bill
Ask for a fully itemized bill so you can confirm every charge before you apply or pay.
2
Gather your documents
Collect proof of income, proof of household size, government-issued photo id, residency_proof, recent bank statements.
3
Submit the Denver Health application
Applicants provide proof of income (pay stubs or employer letter), family size, a government photo ID, and proof of address; bank statements and other resource/asset documentation may be requested for specific programs. Program relies on document uploads plus enrollment-counselor review (Enrollment Services 303-602-2300; slidingfeeinfo@dhha.org).
4
Ask for a billing hold
Request a hold on collections activity while your application is reviewed, so the account does not advance.
5
Get the decision in writing
Keep the approval or denial in writing. If you are denied, you can appeal or request an interest-free payment plan.

What you will need

Proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax return, or benefit award letters)
Proof of household size (tax return listing dependents, or similar)
Government-issued photo ID
residency_proof
Recent bank statements

Deadline: confirm with the FA office.

Residency: No general residency requirement for Colorado Hospital Discounted Care hospital discounts (statewide law); dental services are limited to Denver County residents. Emergency care is available to all regardless of residency or immigration status..

Citizenship: not required.

Before you pay, know this

Applying for financial assistance does not affect your credit.
Many hospitals grant presumptive eligibility if you already receive Medicaid, SNAP, or similar programs, which can speed approval.
You can often apply even after a bill goes to collections, and assistance is frequently applied retroactively. Do not assume it is too late.
If you are denied, you can appeal or ask for an interest-free payment plan.

Not sure you qualify? You may still be able to save.

Charity care is only one way to lower a hospital bill. CareRoute Bill Defense works every angle on your Denver Health bill: billing errors, insurance underpayments and denied claims, financial assistance, and direct negotiation with the hospital. So even if you do not qualify for free care, there is often money to save. You pay nothing upfront and only a fraction of what we save you (capped at $1,000). If we cannot lower your bill, you owe nothing.

Get help with your bill

Colorado also has medical-bill protections that may help beyond Denver Health's own program, such as limits on collections, credit reporting, and wage garnishment.

See all Colorado medical bill rights

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Denver Health offer financial assistance or charity care?

Yes. Denver Health provides 100% free care to patients with household income at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, plus discounted care up to 250% FPL (a sliding-scale discount). Uninsured patients also receive uninsured patients are automatically screened (they must opt out); those at or below 250% FPL are billed no more than the state-set rate, which approximates the greater of 100% of Medicare or 100% of Medicaid.

What is the income limit for free care at Denver Health?

Free care is available at or below 100% FPL. For a family of four in 2026 that is about $33,000 per year. See the income table above for other household sizes. Income above that may still qualify for discounted care up to 250% FPL.

How do I apply for Denver Health financial assistance?

Request an itemized bill, gather your income documents and a photo ID, then submit the hospital's financial assistance application. Applicants provide proof of income (pay stubs or employer letter), family size, a government photo ID, and proof of address; bank statements and other resource/asset documentation may be requested for specific programs. Program relies on document uploads plus enrollment-counselor review (Enrollment Services 303-602-2300; slidingfeeinfo@dhha.org). Ask the billing or financial counseling office about the deadline to apply.

Can insured patients qualify for financial assistance at Denver Health?

Yes. The balance left after your insurance pays can still qualify for charity care or a discount if you meet the income limits above. Some states and hospitals also ask insured patients to show high out-of-pocket costs, so confirm the exact rule with Denver Health.

Does Denver Health help uninsured patients?

Yes. Uninsured patients can apply for charity care, and Denver Health also offers uninsured patients are automatically screened (they must opt out); those at or below 250% FPL are billed no more than the state-set rate, which approximates the greater of 100% of Medicare or 100% of Medicaid. Uninsured patients often have the most to gain, since the full charge is on the table.

What if my bill is unaffordable even above the income limit?

Denver Health has a hardship provision. Under Colorado Hospital Discounted Care, monthly payments are capped at 4% of gross monthly household income for hospital bills and 2% for hospital-based professional bills (6% combined), and any remaining balance is considered paid in full after 36 monthly payments, functioning as high-medical-expense relief. It is worth applying even if your income is above the free-care line.

Can I apply for Denver Health financial assistance if my bill is already in collections?

You can usually still apply even after a bill goes to collections, and hospitals often apply approved assistance retroactively to recent accounts. Applying can also pause collection activity while the hospital reviews your case.

Will applying for financial assistance affect my credit?

No. Applying for hospital financial assistance is not a credit check and does not affect your credit score. Getting a bill reduced or covered actually helps you avoid the collections and credit damage that come from an unpaid balance.

Does Denver Health require US citizenship or residency?

No. Denver Health does not require US citizenship, and immigration status does not bar eligibility. Residency note: No general residency requirement for Colorado Hospital Discounted Care hospital discounts (statewide law); dental services are limited to Denver County residents. Emergency care is available to all regardless of residency or immigration status.

Can CareRoute help with a Denver Health bill?

Yes. CareRoute Bill Defense looks at every way to lower your bill, not just charity care: billing errors, insurance underpayments and denied claims, financial assistance, and direct negotiation. You pay nothing upfront and only a fraction of what we save you (capped at $1,000), with no fee at all if we cannot reduce your bill.

Sources and verification. Last verified July 2026, based on Denver Health's published financial assistance policy (official policy). How we research these guides.

Eligibility details may change. This page is informational and not financial or legal advice. Confirm current terms with Denver Health's financial assistance office before applying.