Parkland Health Financial Assistance: Free Care for Dallas County Residents + HEALTHplus Program (2026 Guide)
Parkland Memorial Hospital is one of the largest public hospitals in America and the primary safety-net hospital for Dallas County. As a county hospital, Parkland operates differently from private nonprofits. It provides free care for Dallas County residents up to 200% FPL, discounted care at 201-250% FPL, and offers the HEALTHplus subsidized health plan for comprehensive coverage at Parkland facilities. Parkland serves all patients regardless of immigration status and provides over $800 million in uncompensated care each year.
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Quick Eligibility Summary
Who Qualifies for Parkland Financial Assistance?
100% Free Care (PFAP)
Dallas County residents with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for complete free care through the Parkland Financial Assistance Program (PFAP). For a single person in 2026, 200% FPL is approximately $31,920/year. For a family of four, it is approximately $65,600/year. Your entire hospital bill is covered at no cost.
Discounted Care (Sliding Scale)
Dallas County residents with household income between 201% and 250% FPL qualify for discounted care on a sliding scale. The exact discount depends on your income level within this range. Financial counselors at Parkland will calculate your specific discount during the application process.
Emergency Care for All Patients
Parkland provides emergency care to every patient regardless of residency, insurance status, immigration status, or ability to pay. This is required by federal EMTALA law and reinforced by Parkland's mission as a public county hospital. Non-residents who receive emergency care may also qualify for limited financial assistance on those bills.
Immigration Status Does Not Matter
Parkland explicitly serves patients regardless of immigration status. Undocumented residents of Dallas County are eligible for PFAP and HEALTHplus. This is a critical resource in Texas, which has not expanded Medicaid, leaving many immigrants with no other options for affordable healthcare.
Parkland HEALTHplus Program (Key Insight)
Parkland HEALTHplus is a unique Dallas County subsidized health plan designed for uninsured residents. It is not insurance, but it provides comprehensive coverage at Parkland facilities for very low premiums. Understanding the difference is important.
What HEALTHplus covers:
- Primary care visits at Parkland clinics
- Specialty care and referrals within the Parkland system
- Hospital inpatient and outpatient services
- Prescription medications at Parkland pharmacies
- Mental health and behavioral health services
- Lab work and diagnostic imaging
Important limitations:
- HEALTHplus only covers care at Parkland facilities. It does not work at other hospitals or clinics.
- It is not recognized as insurance under the ACA. It does not satisfy any insurance requirement.
- Dallas County residency is required. Out-of-county residents cannot enroll.
Bottom line: If you are an uninsured Dallas County resident and Parkland is accessible to you, HEALTHplus can provide near-comprehensive healthcare coverage at a fraction of the cost of insurance. It is one of the best safety-net programs in the country.
Need Help with a Parkland Bill?
CareRoute can help you understand your options, draft appeal letters, and navigate the financial assistance application process. Our tools are designed to help patients advocate for themselves effectively.
Try Bill DefenseDallas County Residency Requirement
Unlike most hospital financial assistance programs, Parkland's full PFAP and HEALTHplus programs require Dallas County residency. This is because Parkland is funded in part by Dallas County taxpayers and is structured as a county health system.
How to prove Dallas County residency:
- Texas driver's license or state ID with a Dallas County address
- Utility bill (electric, gas, water) in your name at a Dallas County address
- Lease agreement or mortgage statement for a Dallas County property
- Mail received at a Dallas County address (bank statements, official correspondence)
- Verification letter from a shelter or social services agency (for homeless patients)
If you are NOT a Dallas County resident:
- Emergency care is still available to you at Parkland regardless of residency
- You may qualify for limited financial assistance on emergency bills
- Ask patient financial services about other options, including payment plans
- Check whether your home county has its own safety-net hospital or financial assistance programs
UT Southwestern Separate Billing (Critical Detail)
Many patients are surprised to receive a separate bill from UT Southwestern (UTSW) after being treated at Parkland. This is because Parkland's physicians are often UTSW medical school faculty. The hospital charges and physician charges are billed by two different organizations.
What this means for you:
- 1.You may receive two bills: one from Parkland (hospital/facility charges) and one from UTSW (physician/professional charges).
- 2.Parkland financial assistance does not automatically cover the UTSW physician bill. You need to apply separately with UTSW.
- 3.Contact UTSW Patient Financial Services to request their financial assistance application. UTSW has its own charity care program.
- 4.When you apply at Parkland, ask your financial counselor about UTSW billing and whether they can help coordinate both applications.
Do not ignore the UTSW bill. Even if you receive Parkland financial assistance, the UTSW charges remain your responsibility unless you apply for and receive separate UTSW assistance.
Prescription Assistance at Parkland
Parkland's pharmacy program is an often-overlooked benefit. Patients who qualify for financial assistance can receive medications at significantly reduced costs through Parkland pharmacies.
Key details:
- PFAP-eligible patients receive reduced-cost prescriptions at Parkland pharmacies
- HEALTHplus members have prescription coverage included in their plan
- Prescriptions must be filled at Parkland pharmacies to receive the reduced pricing
- Ask your Parkland provider to send prescriptions to a Parkland pharmacy location
Tip: If you are currently paying full price for medications at a retail pharmacy, switching to a Parkland pharmacy with financial assistance can save you hundreds of dollars per month on chronic medications.
The Texas Medicaid Coverage Gap
Texas has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. This means approximately 1.4 million Texas adults fall into the "coverage gap," earning too much for traditional Medicaid but too little for marketplace subsidies. For these residents, Parkland is often the only option for affordable healthcare.
Who falls into the coverage gap:
- Adults without dependent children who earn below 100% FPL (approximately $15,060/year for a single person)
- Parents and caretakers whose income is above Texas Medicaid limits but below 100% FPL
- Adults who do not qualify for disability-based Medicaid but cannot afford marketplace plans
Why Parkland matters:
Parkland provides over $800 million in uncompensated care annually, serving as the healthcare backbone for hundreds of thousands of Dallas County residents who have no other viable option. The combination of PFAP (free/discounted care) and HEALTHplus (subsidized health plan) creates a de facto coverage system for the uninsured.
If you are in the coverage gap, Parkland should be your first call. Financial counselors can help you determine whether PFAP, HEALTHplus, or another program is the right fit for your situation.
How to Apply for Parkland Financial Assistance
Contact Patient Financial Services
Call Parkland at (214) 590-8000 or visit the financial counseling office at Parkland Memorial Hospital in person. You can also ask at the registration desk or emergency department for help connecting with a financial counselor.
Gather Your Documents
You will typically need: proof of Dallas County residency (utility bill, lease, or Texas ID), proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a statement of no income), proof of household size, government-issued identification, and your Parkland medical bills or account numbers.
Meet with a Financial Counselor
A Parkland financial counselor will review your situation and help determine the best program for you. This may include PFAP (free or discounted care), HEALTHplus enrollment, Medicaid screening, or other assistance programs. The counselor will help you complete the appropriate application.
Submit Your Application
Submit the completed application with all supporting documents. Keep copies of everything you provide. Ask for a confirmation of receipt and a timeline for when you can expect a decision.
Address UTSW Bills Separately
If you received physician services at Parkland, check for a separate UT Southwestern bill. Contact UTSW Patient Financial Services to apply for their financial assistance program. Your Parkland counselor may be able to help you coordinate this.
If Your Application Is Denied
If Parkland denies your financial assistance application, you still have options:
- 1.Request a written explanation of the denial reason. The most common reasons are residency issues or income documentation problems.
- 2.Provide additional documentation. If you were denied for insufficient proof of residency or income, gather stronger documentation and resubmit.
- 3.Ask about HEALTHplus. If you were denied PFAP, you may still qualify for the HEALTHplus subsidized plan, which has different eligibility criteria.
- 4.Request a payment plan. Even without charity care approval, Parkland may offer manageable payment plans for your outstanding balance.
- 5.Contact the Dallas County Commissioner's Office if you believe your application was handled unfairly. As a public hospital, Parkland is accountable to county oversight.
- 6.Explore Medicaid eligibility. A financial counselor can screen you for Texas Medicaid, CHIP (for children), or other state and federal programs you may have missed.
Denied? Let Us Help You Appeal
CareRoute can help you draft an appeal letter, identify the right provisions to cite, and build a compelling case for why your application should be reconsidered.
Start Your Appeal with Bill DefenseContact Information
Parkland Health is located in Dallas, Texas. Contact patient financial services for assistance with billing, financial aid applications, and HEALTHplus enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Parkland HEALTHplus and how is it different from insurance?
HEALTHplus is a Dallas County subsidized health plan, not insurance. It covers primary care, specialty care, hospital care, prescriptions, and mental health services, but only at Parkland facilities. It does not work at other hospitals or clinics. Premiums are very low compared to traditional insurance. It is a county program designed for uninsured Dallas County residents.
Do I need to be a Dallas County resident to get financial assistance?
The full Parkland Financial Assistance Program (PFAP) and HEALTHplus require Dallas County residency. However, emergency care is provided to all patients regardless of residency, and out-of-county patients may qualify for limited financial assistance on emergency bills. Contact patient financial services to discuss your situation.
Can undocumented immigrants receive care and financial assistance at Parkland?
Yes. Parkland serves patients regardless of immigration status. Undocumented Dallas County residents are eligible for PFAP and HEALTHplus. This is especially important in Texas, which has not expanded Medicaid, leaving many immigrants with no affordable healthcare options. Your immigration status will not be reported to any agency.
Why did I get a separate bill from UT Southwestern?
Parkland physicians are often UT Southwestern faculty. Hospital charges (from Parkland) and physician charges (from UTSW) are billed separately. You may need to apply for financial assistance with both organizations. Contact UTSW patient financial services to request their application. Parkland financial assistance does not automatically cover the UTSW bill.
Does Parkland offer prescription assistance?
Yes. Parkland has a pharmacy program that provides medications at significantly reduced costs for financially assisted patients. HEALTHplus members also receive prescription coverage. You must fill prescriptions at a Parkland pharmacy to receive the reduced pricing. Ask your provider to send prescriptions to a Parkland pharmacy location.
Can non-Dallas County residents get emergency care at Parkland?
Yes. Parkland provides emergency care to all patients regardless of residency, insurance status, or ability to pay. This is required by federal EMTALA law and is central to Parkland's mission as a public hospital. Non-residents who receive emergency care may also qualify for limited financial assistance. Contact patient financial services after your visit to discuss options.
How do I apply for Parkland financial assistance?
Call (214) 590-8000 or visit the financial counseling office at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Bring proof of Dallas County residency, proof of income, identification, and your medical bills. A financial counselor will help determine which program is right for you (PFAP, HEALTHplus, Medicaid, or other options) and assist with the application.
Why is Parkland so important for uninsured Texans?
Texas has not expanded Medicaid, leaving about 1.4 million adults in the coverage gap with no affordable insurance. Parkland is the primary safety-net hospital for Dallas County, providing over $800 million in uncompensated care each year. For hundreds of thousands of residents, Parkland is the only realistic option for comprehensive healthcare, including primary care, specialty services, and hospital care.
Related Guides
Texas state protections and other Dallas-area hospital financial assistance programs may provide additional options beyond Parkland.
Last updated: May 2026. Information is based on publicly available Parkland Health financial assistance policies. Always confirm current eligibility requirements directly with Parkland Patient Financial Services at (214) 590-8000.