Grady Health System Financial Assistance: Free Care at 200% FPL + Grady Card for Ongoing Access (2026 Guide)
Grady Memorial Hospital is Atlanta's largest public hospital, Georgia's busiest Level I trauma center, and the primary safety net for metro Atlanta's uninsured population. With roughly 950 beds and affiliations with both Emory University and Morehouse School of Medicine, Grady serves hundreds of thousands of patients each year. The Grady Cares Program provides free and discounted care for eligible Fulton and DeKalb County residents, while the Grady Card offers ongoing access to primary care, specialists, and pharmacy services for qualified uninsured patients.
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Quick Eligibility Summary
Who Qualifies for Grady Health Financial Assistance?
100% Free Care (Grady Cares Program)
Fulton and DeKalb County residents with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for complete charity care through the Grady Cares Program. This means your entire hospital bill is written off. For a single person in 2026, 200% FPL is approximately $31,920/year. For a family of four, it is approximately $65,600/year.
Discounted Care (201-300% FPL)
Fulton and DeKalb County residents with household income between 201% and 300% FPL qualify for discounted care on a sliding scale. The discount amount depends on where your income falls within this range. Financial counselors at Grady can calculate your specific discount level based on your household size and income.
Emergency Care for All Patients
As Georgia's busiest Level I trauma center, Grady provides emergency care to all patients regardless of residency, insurance status, or ability to pay. This is required by federal EMTALA law. If you receive emergency care at Grady, you should still apply for financial assistance afterward, even if you are not a Fulton or DeKalb County resident.
The Grady Card (Key Insight)
The Grady Card is one of the most valuable and underutilized programs available to uninsured metro Atlanta residents. It functions essentially as a healthcare membership card, providing ongoing access to Grady's entire network of services at reduced or no cost.
What the Grady Card provides:
- Access to Grady's network of primary care centers throughout metro Atlanta
- Specialist referrals within the Grady system
- Deeply discounted prescriptions through Grady's pharmacy program
- Mental health services through the Behavioral Health Outpatient Center
- Ongoing care management for chronic conditions
Who qualifies: The Grady Card is available to Fulton and DeKalb County residents who are uninsured and meet income eligibility requirements. Apply through Grady's patient financial services office or at any Grady primary care center. If you are in the Medicaid coverage gap (see below), the Grady Card can be your primary source of healthcare access.
County Residency Requirement (Important)
Grady's full financial assistance program (Grady Cares and the Grady Card) is specifically designed for Fulton and DeKalb County residents. This is because Grady is a public hospital funded in part by these two counties. Understanding this residency requirement is essential before applying.
Fulton and DeKalb Residents
- Full Grady Cares eligibility
- Grady Card access
- Pharmacy program benefits
- Primary care center access
- Specialist referral network
Other Metro Atlanta Counties
- Emergency care always provided
- Limited FA options for non-emergency
- Ask about payment plans
- May qualify for specific programs
- Contact financial services to discuss
Proving residency: Bring a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail showing your Fulton or DeKalb County address. If you recently moved to one of these counties, a lease or utility bill in your name is typically sufficient.
Need Help with a Grady Hospital Bill?
CareRoute can help you understand your options, draft appeal letters, and navigate the financial assistance application process. Our tools are designed to help patients advocate for themselves effectively.
Try Bill DefenseDual Billing: Emory and Morehouse Physician Bills (Critical)
This catches many Grady patients by surprise. Grady Memorial Hospital is a teaching hospital affiliated with both Emory University School of Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine. While your hospital bill comes from Grady, the physicians who treated you may bill separately through Emory Healthcare or Morehouse Medical Associates.
What this means for you:
- 1.You may receive two or three separate bills for a single visit: one from Grady (hospital/facility), one from Emory (physicians), and possibly one from Morehouse (physicians).
- 2.Grady Cares covers the hospital bill only. You must apply for financial assistance separately with Emory and Morehouse for physician charges.
- 3.Each entity has its own financial assistance program with different eligibility criteria and application processes.
Action steps for every Grady patient:
- Ask at discharge: "Will I receive separate physician bills from Emory or Morehouse?"
- Apply for Grady Cares for the hospital bill
- Contact Emory Healthcare billing: (404) 778-7777 for Emory physician bills
- Contact Morehouse billing if applicable for Morehouse physician bills
- Apply for financial assistance with each billing entity individually
Georgia's Medicaid Coverage Gap and Why Grady Matters
Georgia has not fully expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The state's limited Pathways to Coverage program has enrolled only a fraction of eligible residents. This means approximately 250,000 Georgians fall into a "coverage gap" where they earn too much for traditional Medicaid but too little for marketplace insurance subsidies.
For metro Atlanta residents in this gap, Grady Health System is often the only accessible source of affordable healthcare. The combination of the Grady Cares Program and the Grady Card effectively creates a safety-net healthcare system for those who have no other coverage options.
If you are in the coverage gap:
- Apply for Grady Cares for hospital bill assistance (free at 200% FPL or below)
- Apply for the Grady Card for ongoing primary care, specialists, and pharmacy access
- Ask financial counselors to screen you for any Medicaid categories you might qualify for (pregnancy, disability, etc.)
- Check marketplace enrollment during open enrollment periods, as subsidy eligibility may change
Grady Pharmacy Program
Grady operates one of the largest hospital-based pharmacy programs in the Southeast. For patients who qualify for the Grady Cares Program or hold a Grady Card, prescription medications are available at deeply reduced costs. This is a major benefit, especially for patients managing chronic conditions that require ongoing medication.
Pharmacy program highlights:
- Deeply discounted prescriptions for FA-eligible patients
- Pharmacy locations at Grady primary care centers and outpatient clinics
- Covers a wide range of medications including those for diabetes, hypertension, mental health, and HIV
- Grady Card holders can access pharmacy benefits as part of their ongoing care
Tip: If you are currently paying full price for medications at a retail pharmacy, switching to Grady's pharmacy program (if eligible) could save you hundreds of dollars per month. Ask your Grady financial counselor or provider about pharmacy enrollment.
HIV/AIDS Programs (Infectious Disease Program)
Grady's Infectious Disease Program (IDP), also known as the Ponce de Leon Center, is one of the largest HIV/AIDS treatment centers in the United States. It serves thousands of patients and has its own separate financial assistance programs beyond the standard Grady Cares Program.
IDP financial assistance options:
- Ryan White Program funding: Federal funding that covers HIV-related care for eligible patients regardless of insurance status
- AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP): Covers the cost of antiretroviral medications for qualifying patients
- Grady Cares coverage: HIV/AIDS treatment at Grady is covered under the standard Grady Cares Program as well
- Mental health and case management: The IDP provides wraparound services including mental health support and social work assistance
Mental Health Services
Grady operates the Behavioral Health Outpatient Center, providing mental health and substance use treatment services. These services are covered under the Grady Cares Program for eligible patients.
- Outpatient psychiatry and therapy services
- Substance use disorder treatment
- Crisis stabilization services
- Grady Card holders can access behavioral health services as part of their ongoing care
How to Apply for Grady Health Financial Assistance
Contact Grady Patient Financial Services
Call (404) 616-1000 (main line) or visit the patient financial services office at Grady Memorial Hospital. You can also ask at registration, the emergency department, or any Grady primary care center for help getting connected to a financial counselor.
Gather Your Documents
You will typically need: proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a statement of no income), proof of Fulton or DeKalb County residency (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail), government-issued ID, and your Grady medical bills or account numbers. Your financial counselor will confirm exactly what is required.
Complete the Grady Cares Application
Fill out the Grady Cares financial assistance application with help from your financial counselor. At this time, also ask about the Grady Card if you are uninsured and want ongoing access to primary care, pharmacy, and specialist services.
Apply Separately for Physician Bills
If you received care from Emory or Morehouse physicians at Grady, you need to contact their billing departments separately. Grady Cares only covers the hospital (facility) bill. Call Emory Healthcare billing at (404) 778-7777 and Morehouse billing for their respective physician charges.
Submit and Follow Up
Submit your completed application with all documentation. Keep copies of everything you submit. Follow up within 2 weeks if you have not received confirmation. Ask for a timeline of when you can expect a determination.
Receive Your Determination
Grady will review your application and notify you of the decision. If approved for Grady Cares at 200% FPL or below, your hospital balance will be written off entirely. If approved at 201-300% FPL, a sliding-scale discount will be applied. If you also applied for the Grady Card, you will receive information about how to access ongoing services.
If Your Application Is Denied
If Grady Health denies your financial assistance application, you still have options:
- 1.Request a written explanation of the denial reason. This helps you understand what to address in an appeal.
- 2.Appeal the decision. Ask your financial counselor about the appeal process. Provide additional documentation that addresses the specific denial reason, such as updated income verification or residency proof.
- 3.Request a payment plan. Even without charity care approval, Grady may offer interest-free or reduced payment plans to manage your balance over time.
- 4.Check for other programs. If denied for Grady Cares, you may still qualify for the Grady Card, specific disease programs (like the IDP for HIV), or other assistance.
- 5.Contact the Georgia Department of Community Health or your county's consumer affairs office if you believe the denial was unjust. As a public hospital, Grady has obligations to the community it serves.
Denied? Let Us Help You Appeal
CareRoute can help you draft an appeal letter, identify the right provisions to cite, and build a compelling case for why your Grady Cares application should be reconsidered.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Grady Card and how do I get one?
The Grady Card is a healthcare membership program for eligible uninsured patients. It provides ongoing access to Grady's network of primary care centers, specialists, and pharmacy services at reduced or no cost. To qualify, you generally need to be a Fulton or DeKalb County resident and meet income eligibility requirements. Apply through Grady's patient financial services office or at any Grady primary care center.
Do I need to live in Fulton or DeKalb County to qualify for Grady Cares?
Full Grady Cares eligibility requires Fulton or DeKalb County residency. However, Grady provides emergency care to all patients regardless of where they live. Patients from other metro Atlanta counties (Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton, etc.) who receive emergency care should still ask about financial assistance options for emergency services.
Why do I have separate bills from Emory or Morehouse after visiting Grady?
Grady is a teaching hospital affiliated with both Emory University and Morehouse School of Medicine. Your hospital bill comes from Grady, but physicians may bill separately through Emory Healthcare or Morehouse Medical Associates. You need to apply for financial assistance with each billing entity separately. Contact Grady for the hospital bill, Emory billing at (404) 778-7777 for Emory physician bills, and Morehouse billing for their charges.
I am in the Medicaid coverage gap. What can Grady do for me?
Georgia has not fully expanded Medicaid, leaving roughly 250,000 residents without affordable coverage options. If you are in this gap, Grady is a critical resource. Apply for Grady Cares (free care at up to 200% FPL, discounted at 201-300% FPL) and the Grady Card for ongoing primary care, specialists, and pharmacy access. Grady's financial counselors can also screen you for any Medicaid categories or other programs you might qualify for.
Does the Grady pharmacy program offer discounted medications?
Yes. Grady operates one of the largest hospital-based pharmacy programs in the Southeast. Patients eligible for Grady Cares or holding a Grady Card can access prescriptions at deeply reduced costs. The pharmacy covers a wide range of medications including those for diabetes, hypertension, mental health, and HIV. Ask your Grady provider or financial counselor about pharmacy enrollment.
Can undocumented immigrants receive care at Grady?
Grady provides emergency care to all patients regardless of immigration status, as required by federal EMTALA law. For the Grady Cares Program, eligibility is based on income and Fulton/DeKalb County residency. Immigration status is not a factor in the eligibility determination. Contact patient financial services to discuss your specific situation confidentially.
Does Grady have special programs for HIV/AIDS patients?
Yes. Grady's Infectious Disease Program (IDP) at the Ponce de Leon Center is one of the largest HIV/AIDS treatment centers in the US. It offers separate financial assistance through Ryan White funding and the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), covering HIV-related care and antiretroviral medications for eligible patients. Contact the IDP directly at (404) 616-6313. No referral is needed.
Can non-residents get emergency care at Grady?
Absolutely. As Georgia's busiest Level I trauma center, Grady provides emergency care to all patients regardless of residency or ability to pay. After receiving emergency care, non-residents should contact Grady patient financial services to discuss billing options and any assistance available for emergency services. Federal EMTALA law protects your right to emergency treatment.
Related Guides
Georgia state protections and other hospital systems serving metro Atlanta patients.
Last updated: May 2026. Information is based on publicly available Grady Health System financial assistance policies. Always confirm current eligibility requirements directly with Grady patient financial services.