Marshfield Clinic Health System Financial Assistance: Free Care Under 200% FPL + Integrated Billing Advantage (2026 Guide)
Marshfield Clinic Health System (now a Sanford Health region) is a physician-led integrated system with 11 hospitals and 60+ clinics across Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. They offer 100% free care for households under 200% FPL and sliding scale discounts up to 400% FPL. A major advantage: one financial assistance application covers both facility AND physician bills, so you never have to deal with separate doctor bills.
Quick Eligibility Snapshot
Free Care: Under 200% FPL
100% write-off for households at or below 200% FPL. Family of 4: up to ~$62,400/year (2025 guidelines).
Sliding Scale: 201-400% FPL
Graduated discounts for households between 201% and 400% FPL. Will never charge more than AGB (Amounts Generally Billed).
One Application Covers Everything
Both hospital (facility) AND doctor (professional) fees covered under a single financial assistance policy. No separate physician bill applications needed.
Multiple Assistance Programs
Charity Care, Catastrophic Charity Care, Medical Hardship Assistance, and Majerus Family Foundation supplemental fund.
Who Qualifies for Financial Assistance?
Income-Based Eligibility Tiers
- 200% FPL or below: 100% free care (complete write-off of all eligible charges)
- 201-400% FPL: Sliding scale discount based on household size and income
- AGB cap: No patient will be charged more than Amounts Generally Billed, regardless of insurance status
- Catastrophic Charity Care: For extreme financial situations that exceed standard eligibility guidelines
- Medical Hardship Assistance: Additional help for patients facing unusual medical expenses relative to income
- Majerus Family Foundation: Supplemental charitable fund for patients who need additional support beyond standard charity care
Key Advantage: Integrated Billing
Unlike most hospital systems where physicians bill separately (requiring separate financial assistance applications), Marshfield Clinic is a physician-led integrated system. Your single financial assistance application covers BOTH the hospital facility charges AND the physician/specialist professional fees. This is a significant advantage that simplifies the process and ensures complete coverage.
How to Apply (Step by Step)
Call a Patient Assistance Counselor
Call 715-389-4475 (local) or 1-800-997-7359 ext 94475. Marshfield's counselors will screen you for Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus, Marketplace plans, AND charity care all in one conversation. They handle the full intake.
Determine Which Program Fits
Your counselor will identify the best option: standard Charity Care, Catastrophic Charity Care, Medical Hardship Assistance, or the Majerus Family Foundation. You may qualify for multiple programs.
Gather Documents
Provide your most recent tax return, pay stubs, or other income verification. No income documentation? Use the Self-Declaration Form, which is designed for patients with no income, rural workers, or seasonal workers who cannot provide tax returns.
Submit Your Application
Mail to: Patient Assistance Center, 1000 North Oak Avenue, Marshfield, WI 54449. You can also submit in person at any Marshfield Clinic location.
Follow Up
If you have not received a determination within 30 days, call your counselor. You can apply even if the bill has already gone to collections. If approved, the account should be recalled from the collection agency.
Pro Tips
- Dollar For will help for free: The nonprofit dollarfor.org helps patients apply for financial assistance at no cost.
- Self-Declaration Form: If you have no income or no documentation, do not let that stop you from applying. The self-declaration option exists specifically for your situation.
- Security Health Plan members: If you have SHP (Marshfield's own insurance), ask about separate out-of-pocket assistance options in addition to financial assistance.
- One application covers all bills: Unlike other systems, you do not need to track down separate physician groups. Everything is handled together.
Wisconsin State Protections for Medical Debt
Wisconsin provides meaningful protections against aggressive medical debt collection. Know your rights regardless of whether you qualify for Marshfield Clinic's financial assistance.
80% Wage Protection
Wisconsin exempts 80% of your disposable earnings from garnishment. Only 20% can be taken, making Wisconsin one of the most protective states for wage earners facing medical debt.
Homestead Exemption
Wisconsin provides a $75,000 homestead exemption ($150,000 for married couples) to protect your primary residence from forced sale to satisfy medical debt judgments.
BadgerCare Plus
Wisconsin's expanded Medicaid program (BadgerCare Plus) covers adults up to 100% FPL. If you qualify, it can retroactively cover bills up to 3 months prior to your application date.
Learn more: See our Wisconsin Medical Bill Rights Guide for a complete overview of state protections, statutes of limitations, and exemptions.
Covered Facilities
Marshfield Clinic Health System Hospitals (11 Total)
Plus 60+ clinic locations across Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. All facilities operate under the same financial assistance policy.
Sanford Health Merger (2025)
Marshfield Clinic Health System merged with Sanford Health in early 2025 and now operates as a Sanford Health region. For now, the same providers, same locations, and the same financial assistance policy remain in effect. If you see Sanford Health branding, you are still dealing with the same system and the same financial assistance program.
Collections Policy
Amber Alert: Documented Lawsuits During Pandemic
Marshfield Clinic Health System filed at least 14 lawsuits against patients since March 2020, including during the pandemic. They also use external collection agencies. BBB complaints indicate bills have been sent to collections without adequate notice to patients. While the volume of lawsuits is relatively low compared to some systems, patients should be aware of this practice.
What to Expect
- Internal billing period: Marshfield sends multiple billing statements before referring to collections
- External collection agencies: Unpaid accounts are referred to outside collectors
- Lawsuits: Marshfield has filed lawsuits for unpaid balances, though less aggressively than some Wisconsin systems
- BBB complaints: Patients have reported bills going to collections without receiving adequate notice or being informed of financial assistance options
- 240-day window: Under federal 501(r) rules, you can still apply for financial assistance within 240 days of the first billing statement, even if the account is in collections
Wisconsin Protections Against Collections
- 80% wage protection: Only 20% of your disposable earnings can be garnished
- $75K/$150K homestead: Your home equity is protected up to $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (married)
- 6-year statute of limitations: Creditors have 6 years to file a lawsuit on medical debt in Wisconsin
- No debtor's prison: You cannot be jailed for failure to pay medical debt (though failure to appear at a debtor's exam can result in contempt)
Already in collections? Read our full 7-step collections playbook for strategies to resolve medical debt, dispute errors, and negotiate settlements.
What If You Are Denied?
1. Ask About Other Programs
Marshfield has multiple programs beyond standard Charity Care. If denied for one, ask specifically about Catastrophic Charity Care, Medical Hardship Assistance, or the Majerus Family Foundation. Each has different criteria.
2. Use the Self-Declaration Form
If you were denied for missing income documentation, ask about the Self-Declaration Form. This allows you to attest to your income without providing tax returns, which is ideal for seasonal workers, rural workers, or anyone without traditional documentation.
3. Request the AGB Limitation
Even if you do not qualify for charity care, Marshfield cannot charge you more than the Amounts Generally Billed (AGB) to insured patients. If your bill exceeds AGB, request a reduction to AGB levels.
4. Get Free Help
- Dollar For (dollarfor.org): Free nonprofit advocacy for financial assistance applications
- BadgerCare Plus: Wisconsin Medicaid for adults up to 100% FPL, can retroactively cover 3 months of bills
- ABC for Health (abcforhealth.org): Wisconsin nonprofit that helps with insurance navigation and medical debt
- Legal Action of Wisconsin: Free legal help for low-income patients facing collection lawsuits
Let CareRoute Bill Defense Help
If your application was denied or you need help negotiating your Marshfield Clinic bill, CareRoute Bill Defense can review your case and negotiate on your behalf at no upfront cost.
Get Help with Your BillContact Information
Patient Assistance Center
Phone: 715-389-4475 (local)
Toll-free: 1-800-997-7359 ext 94475
Mail: Patient Assistance Center, 1000 North Oak Avenue, Marshfield, WI 54449
What Counselors Handle
Frequently Asked Questions
Does one application really cover both hospital and doctor bills?
Yes. Marshfield Clinic is a physician-led integrated system where doctors are employed by the system (not independent contractors). One financial assistance application covers both the facility charges and all professional/physician fees. This is unusual and a major advantage over most hospital systems where you must apply separately for physician bills.
What if I have no income and no tax returns?
Marshfield offers a Self-Declaration Form specifically for patients who cannot provide traditional income documentation. This is designed for people with no income, seasonal workers, rural workers, or anyone who did not file taxes. You attest to your financial situation and the hospital uses that information for eligibility determination.
Has the Sanford Health merger changed the financial assistance policy?
As of 2026, the same financial assistance policy remains in effect at all Marshfield Clinic locations. The merger made Marshfield a "region" of Sanford Health, but the same providers, same locations, and same patient programs continue to operate. Policies may eventually align with Sanford's broader system over time.
I have Security Health Plan insurance. Can I still get help?
Yes. Security Health Plan (SHP) is Marshfield's own insurance company. If you have SHP but still cannot afford your out-of-pocket costs, you may qualify for financial assistance. Additionally, SHP members may have separate out-of-pocket assistance options. Ask your Patient Assistance Counselor about both.
Can Marshfield Clinic garnish my wages in Wisconsin?
Only after obtaining a court judgment, and Wisconsin law protects 80% of your disposable earnings. Only 20% can be garnished. Your home is also protected up to $75,000 in equity ($150,000 for married couples). These are among the strongest wage protections in the country.
Related Resources
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Start Your Free Case ReviewThis guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Information is based on publicly available Marshfield Clinic Health System financial assistance policies and Wisconsin state law as of 2026. Eligibility requirements, income thresholds, and application processes may change. Always verify current requirements directly with Marshfield Clinic by calling 715-389-4475 or 1-800-997-7359 ext 94475.