RWJBarnabas Health Financial Assistance: NJ Charity Care Law Guarantees Free Care at 200% FPL (2026 Guide)
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey's largest healthcare system, operating 12 hospitals across the state. New Jersey is one of the few states with a state-mandated charity care law (N.J.S.A. 26:2H-18.64), which means RWJBarnabas is legally required to provide free care to patients at or below 200% FPL and reduced-cost care up to 300% FPL. Some facilities extend additional assistance up to 400% FPL. RWJBarnabas is affiliated with Rutgers University, and patients should be aware that hospital and physician bills may come separately.
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Quick Eligibility Summary
NJ Charity Care Is State Law (Key Insight)
Unlike most states where charity care is a voluntary hospital policy, New Jersey mandates charity care by state law (N.J.S.A. 26:2H-18.64). This is a critical distinction that works in your favor.
What the law requires:
- Free care at 200% FPL or below is not optional. Every NJ hospital, including all 12 RWJBarnabas facilities, must provide it.
- Reduced care at 201-300% FPL is also required. The discount follows a sliding scale based on income.
- The hospital cannot deny your application if you meet the legal criteria. NJ law sets the floor for what hospitals must provide.
- Even if RWJBarnabas had a less generous internal policy, state law would override it.
Why this matters for you:
If a billing representative is uncooperative or claims you do not qualify, you can cite the NJ charity care statute directly. The state Department of Health oversees compliance, and hospitals that fail to provide legally mandated charity care face regulatory consequences.
Pro tip: If you believe RWJBarnabas is not complying with NJ charity care law, you can file a complaint with the New Jersey Department of Health at (800) 367-6543.
Who Qualifies for RWJBarnabas Financial Assistance?
100% Free Charity Care (State-Mandated)
Patients with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for complete charity care under NJ law. Your entire hospital bill is written off. For a single person in 2026, 200% FPL is approximately $31,920/year. For a family of four, it is approximately $65,600/year.
Reduced Care (201-300% FPL, State-Mandated)
Patients between 201% and 300% FPL qualify for reduced-cost care on a sliding scale. The closer your income is to 200% FPL, the larger your discount. This is also required by NJ law, not just a hospital courtesy. Your financial counselor can calculate your exact discount based on household income and size.
Extended Assistance (Up to 400% FPL)
Some RWJBarnabas Health facilities extend additional financial assistance to patients with income up to 400% FPL. This goes beyond the state minimum and varies by facility. Contact Patient Financial Services at (888) 724-7123 to ask whether your specific hospital offers extended assistance.
Uninsured Discount
RWJBarnabas Health offers a separate uninsured discount for patients without health insurance. This discount may apply regardless of your income level and is separate from the NJ Charity Care program. You may be eligible for both the uninsured discount and charity care. Ask Patient Financial Services about all available discounts.
Need Help with a RWJBarnabas Bill?
CareRoute can help you understand your options, draft appeal letters, and navigate the NJ Charity Care application process. Our tools are designed to help patients advocate for themselves effectively.
Try Bill DefenseRutgers Physicians Bill Separately (Important)
RWJBarnabas Health is affiliated with Rutgers University. Many Rutgers physicians practice at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (New Brunswick) and other RWJBarnabas facilities. This creates a common billing surprise for patients.
What you need to know:
- Two separate bills: You may receive one bill from RWJBarnabas Health (hospital charges) and a separate bill from Rutgers Health (physician charges).
- Two separate FA applications: Applying for RWJBarnabas financial assistance does NOT automatically cover the Rutgers physician bill. You may need to apply separately with Rutgers Health for physician charges.
- Different policies: Rutgers Health may have different financial assistance criteria than RWJBarnabas. Contact both entities to understand your options for each bill.
Pro tip: When you call (888) 724-7123, ask specifically whether your bills include Rutgers physician charges and how to apply for assistance on those separately. Do not assume one application covers everything.
RWJBarnabas Health Hospitals
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
New Brunswick
Academic medical center affiliated with Rutgers. Level I trauma center.
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Newark
Major hospital serving the Newark community. Heart transplant center.
Monmouth Medical Center
Long Branch
Teaching hospital serving Monmouth County and the Jersey Shore area.
Community Medical Center
Toms River
Serving Ocean County and surrounding communities.
Clara Maass Medical Center
Belleville
Community hospital serving Essex and Passaic counties.
Jersey City Medical Center
Jersey City
Major medical center serving Hudson County.
Saint Barnabas Medical Center
Livingston
Flagship hospital of the Barnabas Health network. Burn center.
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Livingston
Comprehensive medical services in the northern NJ region.
RWJUH Somerset
Somerville
Serving Somerset County and central NJ communities.
RWJUH Hamilton
Hamilton
Serving Mercer County and surrounding areas.
RWJUH Rahway
Rahway
Community hospital serving Union County.
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Elizabeth
Teaching hospital serving eastern Union County.
All RWJBarnabas Health hospitals must comply with NJ Charity Care law. You can apply at any facility and your application will be evaluated under the same state-mandated guidelines.
NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) Enrollment Help
RWJBarnabas Health financial counselors can help you apply for NJ FamilyCare, which is New Jersey's Medicaid program. NJ expanded Medicaid to 138% FPL, which covers many patients who also qualify for charity care.
Why NJ FamilyCare matters:
- Covers ongoing care, prescriptions, and future visits (charity care only covers past bills)
- May provide retroactive coverage for up to 3 months before your application date
- Covers both hospital and physician charges (unlike charity care, which only covers the hospital bill)
- Available for adults at or below 138% FPL and children at higher income levels
Important: Apply for both NJ FamilyCare and NJ Charity Care simultaneously. They are separate programs. If FamilyCare covers your bills, charity care may not be needed. But if FamilyCare is denied or delayed, charity care serves as a safety net for the hospital portion.
NJ Has No Homestead Exemption (Critical for Homeowners)
New Jersey is one of the states that does not have a homestead exemption protecting home equity from creditors. This has serious implications for medical debt.
What this means for you:
- If medical debt goes to judgment, a lien can be placed on your home in New Jersey.
- Unlike states such as Texas or Florida that protect home equity, NJ offers no such protection.
- This makes it even more important to apply for charity care rather than ignoring medical bills.
Bottom line: NJ homeowners should treat charity care applications as urgent. Do not let bills go to collections or judgment when you may qualify for free or reduced care under state law.
How to Apply for RWJBarnabas Financial Assistance
Contact Patient Financial Services
Call (888) 724-7123 or visit the financial counseling office at your RWJBarnabas hospital. You can also ask at registration, the ER, or any business office. Financial counselors can explain NJ Charity Care, the uninsured discount, and help with NJ FamilyCare enrollment.
Gather Your Documents
You will typically need: proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a statement of no income), proof of household size, government-issued ID, and your RWJBarnabas medical bills or account numbers. Your counselor will tell you exactly what is required for the NJ Charity Care application.
Complete the NJ Charity Care Application
Fill out the Hospital Care Payment Assistance (Charity Care) application form. Your financial counselor can help you complete it. This is the standardized NJ state application that all hospitals use. If you also received care from Rutgers physicians, ask about applying for physician-side financial assistance separately.
Apply for NJ FamilyCare Simultaneously
If your income is at or below 138% FPL, ask your financial counselor to help you apply for NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid) at the same time. FamilyCare can provide retroactive coverage and ongoing benefits beyond what charity care offers.
Submit and Follow Up
Submit your completed application with all documentation to Patient Financial Services. Keep copies of everything you submit. Follow up within 2 weeks if you have not received confirmation. The hospital is required by NJ law to process eligible applications.
Receive Your Determination
RWJBarnabas Health will review your application and notify you of the decision. If approved for 100% charity care at 200% FPL, your entire hospital balance will be written off. If approved for reduced care at 201-300% FPL, a sliding-scale discount will be applied. Remember to check on your Rutgers physician bills separately if applicable.
If Your Application Is Denied
If RWJBarnabas Health denies your financial assistance application, you have strong options because NJ Charity Care is mandated by state law:
- 1.Request a written explanation of the denial reason. Under NJ law, you have a right to understand why you were denied.
- 2.Cite NJ state law. If your income is at or below 200% FPL, the hospital is legally required to provide free care under N.J.S.A. 26:2H-18.64. At 201-300% FPL, reduced care is required. The hospital cannot override state law with a more restrictive internal policy.
- 3.Appeal the decision. Ask about the formal appeal process. Provide additional documentation that addresses the specific denial reason.
- 4.File a complaint with the NJ Department of Health at (800) 367-6543 if you believe the denial violates NJ Charity Care law. The state oversees hospital compliance.
- 5.Request a payment plan. Even without full charity care approval, RWJBarnabas may offer interest-free or reduced payment plans for the remaining balance.
- 6.Contact your state legislators. NJ legislators can intervene with hospitals on behalf of constituents, especially regarding state-mandated programs.
Denied? Let Us Help You Appeal
CareRoute can help you draft an appeal letter citing NJ Charity Care law, identify the right provisions, and build a compelling case for why your application should be reconsidered.
Start Your Appeal with Bill DefenseContact Information
RWJBarnabas Health has a centralized Patient Financial Services line, and each hospital also has its own financial counseling office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NJ Charity Care required by law?
Yes. New Jersey is one of the few states with a state-level charity care law (N.J.S.A. 26:2H-18.64). All NJ hospitals, including every RWJBarnabas Health facility, are legally required to provide free care to patients at or below 200% FPL and reduced care at 201-300% FPL. This is not optional or discretionary.
Who qualifies for free care at RWJBarnabas Health?
Patients with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for 100% free charity care under NJ state law. For a single person in 2026, 200% FPL is approximately $31,920/year. For a family of four, it is approximately $65,600/year. Both insured and uninsured patients can qualify.
Do Rutgers physicians bill separately?
Yes. Rutgers physicians practice at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and other RWJBarnabas facilities. You may receive separate bills for hospital services (from RWJBarnabas) and physician services (from Rutgers Health). Apply for financial assistance with both entities separately to cover all charges.
What is the uninsured discount?
RWJBarnabas Health offers a separate uninsured discount for patients without health insurance. This discount may apply even if your income exceeds the charity care thresholds. It is separate from NJ Charity Care and can sometimes be combined with other assistance. Call (888) 724-7123 to ask about current rates.
Can RWJBarnabas help me enroll in NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid)?
Yes. RWJBarnabas Health financial counselors can help you apply for NJ FamilyCare, which covers adults at or below 138% FPL. FamilyCare provides ongoing coverage (not just past bills), may offer retroactive coverage for up to 3 months, and covers both hospital and physician charges. Apply for FamilyCare and Charity Care simultaneously.
Does NJ protect my home from medical debt?
No. New Jersey does not have a homestead exemption, which means home equity is not protected from medical debt judgments. If medical bills go to judgment, a lien can be placed on your home. This makes it critically important for NJ homeowners to apply for charity care and financial assistance rather than letting bills go to collections.
How do I apply for NJ Charity Care at RWJBarnabas?
Call (888) 724-7123 or visit the financial counseling office at any RWJBarnabas hospital. You will need proof of income, proof of household size, ID, and your medical bills. Financial counselors will help you complete the standardized NJ Charity Care application at no cost. Apply as soon as possible after receiving care.
Which hospitals are part of RWJBarnabas Health?
RWJBarnabas Health operates 12 hospitals across New Jersey: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (New Brunswick), Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center, Community Medical Center (Toms River), Clara Maass Medical Center, Jersey City Medical Center, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, RWJUH Somerset, RWJUH Hamilton, RWJUH Rahway, and Trinitas Regional Medical Center. All are subject to NJ Charity Care law.
Related Guides
New Jersey provides strong state-level protections for medical bills. Learn more about your rights and explore other NJ hospital systems.
Last updated: May 2026. Information is based on publicly available RWJBarnabas Health financial assistance policies and NJ Charity Care law (N.J.S.A. 26:2H-18.64). Always confirm current eligibility requirements directly with your RWJBarnabas facility or call (888) 724-7123.