Novant Health Financial Assistance: Free Care at 300% FPL + Retroactive Debt Relief

Novant Health offers one of the most generous financial assistance policies among major health systems. Patients with household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level receive 100% free care for medically necessary services.

This threshold is notably higher than many peer systems. For reference, a family of four earning up to approximately $96,300 per year would fall at or below 300% FPL. Single individuals earning up to approximately $47,790 would qualify.

Novant Health has committed to one of the most aggressive debt relief programs in the country. Here is what it includes:

If you are a North Carolina resident who was on Medicaid at any point since 2014 and have outstanding Novant Health debt, contact Patient Financial Services to confirm your balance has been reviewed under this program.

Even if your income exceeds 300% FPL, you may still qualify for Novant Health's medical debt relief program under the 5% income threshold:

This provision is especially valuable for patients who have insurance but have accumulated significant out-of-pocket costs through deductibles and coinsurance over multiple visits.

While all Novant Health facilities share the same core financial assistance thresholds, state-specific regulations create some differences:

North Carolina patients benefit the most due to the retroactive Medicaid debt relief and automatic screening provisions. If you received care at a Novant Health facility in SC or VA and believe you had Medicaid coverage at the time, contact Patient Financial Services to ask about your options.

Novant Health's financial assistance policy applies to all 15 hospitals in the system, including:

Financial assistance also covers Novant Health-affiliated physician clinics, urgent care centers, and outpatient facilities that bill under the Novant Health system. Independent physicians with admitting privileges who bill separately are not covered.

If Novant Health denies your financial assistance application, you have several options:

• Request written reason for denial. Novant Health must provide a written explanation of why your application was denied.
• Appeal with additional documentation. If your income has changed, you have new hardship circumstances, or documentation was missing, resubmit with updated proof.
• Check the 5% income rule. Even if denied under the 300% FPL threshold, you may qualify at 350% FPL if your debt exceeds 5% of income.
• Request Medicaid screening (NC). Under North Carolina law, hospitals must screen patients for Medicaid eligibility before pursuing collections.
• File a complaint. In NC, contact the NC Attorney General's office. In SC, contact the SC Department of Health. In VA, contact the Virginia Health Commissioner.

Novant Health cannot send your account to collections while a financial assistance application or appeal is pending. If they do, this is a violation of their own policy and potentially of state law.