Methodist Le Bonheur Financial Assistance: Free Care to 250% FPL + 70% Auto Uninsured Discount (2026 Guide)
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, a nonprofit health system based in Memphis, Tennessee (Shelby County), offers 100% free care for patients with household income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). All uninsured patients automatically receive a 70% discount simply by identifying as uninsured at registration, with no application or paperwork required. The policy covers 5 hospitals including Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, one of the nation's top-ranked pediatric facilities.
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Quick Facts
100% Free Care (0-250% FPL)
Patients with household income at or below 250% FPL (~$39,900/yr single) receive a full write-off of emergency and medically necessary services
70% Auto Discount (ALL Uninsured)
Every uninsured patient gets a 70% discount automatically. No paperwork, no income check. Just say you are uninsured at registration.
240-Day Application Window
From the date of service. No residency requirement and no citizenship requirement.
5 Hospitals in Memphis Area
Including Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, one of the nation's top-ranked pediatric hospitals (U.S. News).
No Residency or Citizenship Requirement
Methodist Le Bonheur does not require patients to live in Tennessee or prove citizenship/immigration status to receive financial assistance.
Eligibility & Income Limits (2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines)
| Income Level (% FPL) | Approximate Income (Single) | Discount Level |
|---|---|---|
| 0-250% FPL | Up to ~$39,900/yr | 100% Free Care (Full Write-Off) |
| Any income (uninsured) | No income limit | 70% Automatic Discount (no application) |
| Above 250% FPL (insured) | Above ~$39,900/yr | Not eligible for charity care (payment plans available) |
Check Your Eligibility
Important Notes
- The 70% uninsured discount requires no application. Just identify as uninsured at registration.
- Full charity care (100% write-off) requires an application with income documentation.
- No residency requirement. No citizenship requirement.
- Apply within 240 days of the date of service.
- Methodist Le Bonheur pledged to never sue patients at or below 250% FPL.
- Previous policy only covered patients at 125% FPL. Expanded to 250% in August 2019 after public pressure.
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Get Help with Your BillCovered Facilities (5 Hospitals)
Memphis, Tennessee (Shelby County)
The same financial assistance policy applies to all Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare facilities.
Required Documents
To apply for 100% free care (charity care), submit these documents. The 70% uninsured discount does NOT require any of these.
- Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters, or employer verification)
- Household size verification (tax return, lease agreement, or signed statement)
- Financial Assistance Application form (download from methodisthealth.org/financial-assistance)
How to Apply
For the 70% Uninsured Discount (No Application Needed)
Simply tell the registration staff that you are uninsured. The 70% discount is applied automatically. No forms, no income verification, no waiting period.
For 100% Free Care (Application Required)
- 1
Check Your Eligibility
Use the calculator above to see if your household income falls at or below 250% FPL.
- 2
Contact Billing
Call (901) 842-1260 or email billing@mlh.org to request a Financial Assistance Application.
- 3
Download the Application
Get the form from methodisthealth.org/financial-assistance or request one by phone.
- 4
Gather Documentation
Collect proof of income and household size verification documents.
- 5
Submit Within 240 Days
Submit your completed application with documentation within 240 days of the date of service.
Important Notes
Collection History (What You Should Know)
- Methodist Le Bonheur owns its own collection agency. A 2019 ProPublica/MLK50 investigation revealed the system filed 8,300+ lawsuits against patients, including their own low-wage employees.
- After the investigation, Methodist erased the debts of 6,500+ patients and pledged to never sue patients at or below 250% FPL.
- The free care threshold was expanded from 125% FPL to 250% FPL in August 2019 as a direct result of public pressure.
- Memphis has one of the highest medical debt burdens per capita in the United States.
Bottom line: Apply for financial assistance before your bill goes to collections. If you are being sued or threatened with a lawsuit, contact a legal aid organization immediately.
Tennessee Patient Protections
- Medical debt banned from credit reports (effective 2023). Tennessee law prevents medical debt from appearing on your credit report.
- 175% cost cap for uninsured patients. Tennessee law prohibits hospitals from charging uninsured patients more than 175% of the actual cost of providing services.
- Tennessee did NOT expand Medicaid. This creates a coverage gap for adults between 0-100% FPL who are not disabled, pregnant, or elderly. If you fall in this gap, you are likely eligible for Methodist Le Bonheur charity care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Methodist Le Bonheur financial assistance?
Patients with household income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for 100% free care. There is no separate discount tier above 250% (it is a full write-off). Additionally, ALL uninsured patients automatically receive a 70% discount regardless of income. No residency or citizenship requirement applies.
How do I get the 70% uninsured discount?
Simply identify yourself as uninsured when you register at any Methodist Le Bonheur facility. The 70% discount is applied automatically. No application, no income documentation, and no waiting period required.
Does Methodist Le Bonheur still sue patients?
After the 2019 ProPublica/MLK50 investigation, Methodist Le Bonheur pledged to never sue patients at or below 250% FPL. However, the system owns its own collection agency, so it is important to apply for financial assistance promptly and keep documentation of your application.
Is Le Bonheur Children's Hospital covered?
Yes. Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, which is ranked among the best children's hospitals in the nation by U.S. News, is part of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and follows the same financial assistance policy.
Can medical debt appear on my credit report in Tennessee?
No. Tennessee banned medical debt from credit reports effective 2023. This applies regardless of whether your bill is with the hospital or a collection agency.
What if I fall in the Medicaid coverage gap?
Tennessee did not expand Medicaid, creating a gap for adults between 0-100% FPL who are not disabled, pregnant, or elderly. If you fall in this gap, you almost certainly qualify for Methodist Le Bonheur 100% free care (since 100% FPL is well below the 250% FPL threshold).
Contact Information
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