Kaleida Health Financial Assistance: Buffalo's Largest Hospital System Charity Care (2026 Guide)
Kaleida Health is the largest healthcare provider in Western New York, operating four hospitals including the region's only Level 1 Adult Trauma Center (Buffalo General) and the only freestanding children's hospital (Oishei). The Charity Care Program provides free care for patients at or below 200% FPL and sliding-scale discounts at 201-400% FPL. Kaleida explicitly welcomes patients regardless of immigration status. Under NY state law, there is no application deadline and hospitals cannot sue patients under 400% FPL.
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Quick Eligibility Summary
Who Qualifies for Kaleida Health Charity Care?
100% Free Care (at or below 200% FPL)
Uninsured and underinsured patients with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for complete charity care. Your entire bill for medically necessary services is written off. This applies at all four Kaleida Health hospitals, including emergency, inpatient, outpatient, and nursing home care.
Discounted Care (201-400% FPL)
Patients with income between 201% and 400% FPL receive a sliding-scale discount. The discount amount depends on your specific income level and household size. Kaleida Health financial counselors calculate your exact discount when processing your application.
What services are covered?
All medically necessary services provided by Kaleida Health are covered, including outpatient services, emergency care, inpatient admissions, and nursing home care. This is broader than many hospital systems, as it explicitly includes nursing home/skilled nursing care at Kaleida facilities. Elective cosmetic procedures are generally excluded.
No immigration status requirement
Kaleida Health explicitly states that you may be eligible for the charity care program regardless of immigration status. You do not need a Social Security number, green card, or visa to apply. Financial counselors are trained to assist patients without documentation.
Four Kaleida Health Hospitals
Buffalo General Medical Center
100 High Street, Buffalo. Western NY's only Level 1 Adult Trauma Center. Houses the Gates Vascular Institute. Full emergency department, cardiac care, and surgical services.
John R. Oishei Children's Hospital
818 Ellicott Street, Buffalo. The only freestanding children's hospital in Western NY. Pediatric emergency, NICU, and specialty care. Same financial assistance policy as all Kaleida hospitals.
Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital
1540 Maple Road, Williamsville. Serves the eastern suburbs of Buffalo. Emergency department, surgical services, and outpatient care.
DeGraff Memorial Hospital
445 Tremont Street, North Tonawanda. Community hospital serving the Tonawandas. Emergency services, primary care, and outpatient services.
Oishei Children's Hospital: Financial Assistance for Families
Oishei Children's Hospital is covered by the same Kaleida Health Charity Care Program. This is important for families facing large pediatric bills, especially for NICU stays, surgeries, or chronic conditions. A few things specific to families:
- NICU bills can be enormous. A multi-week NICU stay can generate six-figure charges. Financial assistance can write off the entire balance if your family qualifies.
- Screen for Child Health Plus first. Financial counselors will check if your child qualifies for Child Health Plus (NY's children's health insurance), which covers children in families up to 400% FPL with very low premiums.
- Both parents' income counts. Household income includes all earners in the household. However, only assets in the parents' names are considered (not the child's savings accounts).
Need Help with a Kaleida Health Bill?
CareRoute can help you understand your options, draft appeal letters, and navigate the charity care 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 Kaleida Health hospitals.
Free Care Mandated at 200% FPL
All New York hospitals must provide 100% free care for patients at or below 200% FPL and discounted care (10-20% of the Medicaid rate) at 201-400% FPL. Kaleida Health complies with this requirement.
No Lawsuits Against Patients Under 400% FPL
Hospitals cannot sue patients earning under 400% FPL to collect medical debt. Lawsuits cannot be filed until at least 180 days after the first bill. The hospital's CFO must attest the patient earns above 400% FPL before any legal action.
No Application Deadline
You can apply for financial assistance at any time, including after receiving bills or during the collections process. Kaleida Health cannot deny your application based on timing.
Medical Debt Cannot Appear on Credit Reports
Medical debt cannot be reported to credit bureaus in New York. An unpaid Kaleida Health bill will not affect your credit score.
No Debt Sales to Collection Agencies
Hospitals cannot sell patient debt to third-party collection agencies. If you receive contact from a third-party collector about a Kaleida bill, report it to the NY State Department of Health.
Credit Card Payment Warning
Do not pay medical bills with a credit card. Under NY law, medical bills paid by credit card are reclassified as credit card debt. You lose state and federal medical debt protections once you charge the bill to a card.
Learn more: New York Medical Bill Rights Guide
How to Apply for Kaleida Health Charity Care
Call the Charity Care Hotline
Call (716) 859-8979 for free, confidential assistance. This dedicated hotline connects you with a financial counselor who specializes in charity care applications. You can also visit the financial counseling office at any Kaleida hospital in person.
Gather Your Documents
Prepare four current pay stubs and bank statements. Kaleida Health specifically notes that retirement plans, annuities, and similar accounts are excluded from the asset review. If you have no income, bring a written statement explaining your situation.
Submit Your Application
You can apply before an appointment, when you come to the hospital for care, or after receiving a bill. The financial counselor will also screen you for Medicaid, Essential Plan, or Child Health Plus eligibility before processing the charity care application.
Wait for Your Determination Letter
Kaleida Health will send you a written determination within 30 days of receiving your completed application. The letter will state whether you are approved and the level of discount granted. Keep this letter for your records.
Follow Up if Needed
If you do not receive a letter within 30 days, call (716) 859-8979 to check the status. If you are denied, the letter must explain the reason. You can appeal with additional documentation.
If Your Application Is Denied
If Kaleida Health denies your charity care application, take these steps:
- 1.Read the denial letter carefully. It must state the specific reason for denial. Common reasons include incomplete documentation or income slightly above the threshold.
- 2.Appeal with updated documents. If you were denied for incomplete paperwork, gather the missing items and resubmit. If your income has changed since the original application, provide current documentation.
- 3.Request a payment plan. Kaleida Health offers payment plans for patients who do not qualify for full charity care. These plans may be interest-free.
- 4.Contact the NY Department of Health at 1-800-804-5447 if you believe Kaleida is not following financial assistance requirements under state law.
- 5.Remember: no lawsuits under 400% FPL. Even if denied for charity care, Kaleida Health cannot sue you if your income is under 400% FPL. Cite this protection if you receive legal threats.
Denied? Let Us Help You Appeal
CareRoute can help you draft an appeal letter and cite the right NY state provisions for your Kaleida Health charity care application.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What income qualifies for free care at Kaleida Health?
Household income at or below 200% FPL qualifies for 100% free care. For a single person in 2026, that is approximately $31,920/year. For a family of four, approximately $65,600/year. Patients at 201-400% FPL receive discounts.
Does Kaleida Health require immigration documents?
No. Kaleida Health explicitly states you may qualify for charity care regardless of immigration status. No Social Security number, green card, or visa is required to apply.
Are retirement accounts counted as assets?
No. Kaleida Health specifically excludes retirement plans, annuities, and similar accounts from the asset review. Only bank account balances are considered.
How long does the application take?
Kaleida Health guarantees a written response within 30 days of receiving your completed application. You can apply before, during, or after receiving care.
Is Oishei Children's Hospital covered?
Yes. Oishei Children's Hospital is part of Kaleida Health and uses the same charity care program. NICU stays, pediatric surgery, and all other medically necessary children's services are covered.
Can Kaleida Health send my debt 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. Apply for financial assistance if you receive any collection notices.
Related Guides
Other Buffalo-area hospital financial assistance guides and New York state protections.
Last updated: May 2026. Information is based on publicly available Kaleida Health financial assistance policies and New York state law. Always confirm current eligibility requirements directly with Kaleida Health financial counseling.