Medical City Hospitals Financial Assistance (Charity Care): Complete 2026 Guide
Comprehensive guide to Medical City Hospitals Financial Assistance Program (all Texas locations), including eligibility requirements, income limits, required documents, and step-by-step application instructions for free or discounted hospital care.
Our Bill Defense team can apply for financial assistance on your behalf, follow up with the hospital, provide any additional documentation they request, and find other ways to reduce your bill (billing errors, insurance disputes, negotiation). You pay $0 unless we save you money.
Quick Facts
100% Free Care
Income at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level
Sliding Scale Discounts
201-400% Federal Poverty Level
Application Window
240 days from discharge/first bill
1-844-400-0793
Patient Financial Services
Covered Medical City Hospital Locations
This financial assistance program applies to all Medical City hospitals across Texas, including:
Note: All Medical City hospitals follow the same financial assistance policy. Contact your specific location's Patient Financial Services for assistance with your application.
Eligibility & Income Limits (2025 Federal Poverty Level)
| Income Level | Family of 1 | Family of 2 | Family of 3 | Family of 4 | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200% FPL or below | Up to $31,200 | Up to $42,380 | Up to $53,560 | Up to $64,740 | 100% Free |
| 201-250% FPL | $31,201-$39,000 | $42,381-$52,975 | $53,561-$66,950 | $64,741-$80,925 | 75% Discount |
| 251-300% FPL | $39,001-$46,800 | $52,976-$63,570 | $66,951-$80,340 | $80,926-$97,110 | 50% Discount |
| 301-400% FPL | $46,801-$62,400 | $63,571-$84,760 | $80,341-$107,120 | $97,111-$129,480 | 25% Discount |
| Above 400% FPL | Above $62,400 | Above $84,760 | Above $107,120 | Above $129,480 | Not eligible |
*2025 Federal Poverty Level guidelines. Add $5,380 for each additional family member.
Important Notes:
- • Medical City Dallas is part of the HCA Healthcare network
- • Financial assistance applies to medically necessary services
- • Cosmetic and elective procedures are not covered
- • You must be uninsured or underinsured to qualify
Required Documents Checklist
Income Verification (Required)
- Last 2 months of pay stubs OR
- Most recent W-2 forms OR
- Prior year tax return (all pages)
- Unemployment benefits statement (if applicable)
Asset Documentation
- Last 3 months bank statements (all accounts)
- Investment account statements (if applicable)
Identification & Household
- Photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
- Social Security cards for all household members
- Proof of household size (birth certificates, tax forms)
Tip: Make copies of all documents before submitting. Keep originals for your records.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
Check Your Eligibility
Review the income table above. Calculate your household income including all sources: wages, self-employment, unemployment, disability, Social Security, etc.
5 minutes
Gather Documents
Collect all required documents from the checklist. Having everything ready speeds up approval.
15 minutes
Get the Application
Call Patient Financial Services, visit the Financial Counseling office at Medical City Dallas, or download from the HCA website.
5 minutes
Complete Application
Fill out all sections completely. Include all household members. List all income sources. Sign and date.
20 minutes
Submit Your Application
Submit in person at the Financial Counseling office (best option), by mail, or by fax with all supporting documents.
5 minutes
Follow Up
Call after 10 business days to check status. Reference your account number. Be ready to provide additional documents if requested.
Ongoing
Timelines, Status & Appeals
Processing Times
- Complete Application:10-30 business days
- Incomplete Application:45+ days (waiting for documents)
- Appeal Review:15-30 business days
Check Your Status
Call: 1-844-400-0793
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm CT
Have ready: Account number, patient name, date of birth
If Denied: Appeal Process
- 1.Submit appeal within 30 days of denial letter date
- 2.Include: Written statement explaining why you disagree, any new documentation, proof of changed circumstances
- 3.Mail to the address on your denial letter with "APPEAL" clearly marked
- 4.Request billing hold during appeal review to prevent collections
Denied or need more help? If your charity care application is denied, or your bill has other issues beyond financial assistance (billing errors, insurance underpayment),CareRoute's Bill Defense team can appeal the denial, identify additional savings, and handle all communications with the hospital on your behalf.
Common Pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
⚠️ Missing Documents
Solution: Submit ALL required documents at once. Partial applications delay processing significantly.
⚠️ Not Including All Income
Solution: List every income source for all household members. Omissions can result in denial.
⚠️ Wrong Household Size
Solution: Include everyone in your tax household. Review IRS household definition if unsure.
⚠️ Missing the 240-Day Deadline
Solution: Apply as soon as you receive your first bill. Mark your calendar immediately.
⚠️ Not Following Up
Solution: Call after 10 days to confirm receipt. Many applications sit waiting for one missing document.
Collections Policy
HCA Policy: No Lawsuits or Liens
Medical City Healthcare (HCA) has adopted a policy that stopped litigation activity involving suing patients or filing liens on healthcare bad debt accounts at owned facilities. Medical City Dallas received an "A" grade for non-predatory billing in a 2020 Johns Hopkins/KERA investigation.
For-Profit Hospital Considerations
As a for-profit hospital (HCA Healthcare), Medical City is not subject to IRS 501(r) nonprofit requirements. Key considerations:
- Price markups: Medical City Dallas charges 10.6x the cost of services (9th-highest among the 100 largest U.S. hospitals)
- Credit reporting: Texas has no state-level ban on medical debt credit reporting
- No 501(r) protections: No federal requirement for a 240-day FA application window or 120-day ECA notification period
Texas Protections
- Wage garnishment banned: Texas prohibits wage garnishment for medical debt (only child support, spousal support, federal student loans, and taxes)
- Homestead exemption: Texas has an unlimited homestead exemption (primary residence protected from forced sale)
- No credit reporting ban: Medical debt can still appear on credit reports
- 4-year statute of limitations: On medical debt in Texas
Already in collections? Read our full 7-step collections playbook for strategies to resolve medical debt, dispute errors, and negotiate settlements.
Contacts & Official Links
Patient Financial Services
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Central
Hospital Address
Official Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Medical City Dallas financial assistance?
What documents do I need to apply for Medical City Dallas charity care?
How long does the Medical City Dallas financial assistance application take?
Can I apply for Medical City Dallas financial assistance after receiving my bill?
What if my Medical City Dallas financial assistance application is denied?
Next Steps
Related Resources:
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Eligibility requirements and processes may change. Always confirm current policies directly with Medical City Dallas Hospital.CareRoute is not affiliated with Medical City Dallas or HCA Healthcare.