Saint Luke's Health System Financial Assistance: Free Care to 200% FPL (2026 Guide)
Saint Luke's Health System, the largest health system in the Kansas City metro area with 10 hospitals, offers 100% free care for patients with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Partial discounts are available up to 300% FPL on a sliding scale. A unique catastrophic provision caps your responsibility at 20% of annual income regardless of FPL level. Since January 2024, Saint Luke's operates under BJC Health System following a merger with BJC HealthCare, but the financial assistance policy remains in effect under the Saint Luke's name.
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Quick Facts
100% Free Care (0-200% FPL)
Full write-off for patients with household income at or below 200% FPL. For a family of 4, that means up to $66,000/year qualifies for completely free care.
Partial Discount (201-300% FPL)
Sliding scale discounts for patients between 200% and 300% FPL. Scheduled inpatient and outpatient hospital services are eligible for partial financial assistance.
Catastrophic Cap: 20% of Income
If your bill exceeds 20% of your annual income and financial resources, Saint Luke's will reduce your responsibility to that 20% threshold. This applies even above 300% FPL.
10 Hospitals, 240-Day Window
Covers all Saint Luke's hospitals across the KC metro (Missouri and Kansas). You have 240 days from the date of service to apply.
BJC Merger (January 2024)
Saint Luke's merged operations with BJC HealthCare on January 1, 2024, forming BJC Health System. The financial assistance policy continues under the Saint Luke's name. If you receive bills referencing BJC, the same financial assistance program still applies to Saint Luke's facilities.
Eligibility Calculator (2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines)
100% Free Care: Household income at or below $31,920 (200% FPL for household of 1).
Partial Discount: Household income between $31,920 and $47,880 (201-300% FPL).
Catastrophic Assistance: If your bill exceeds 20% of your annual income, you may qualify regardless of FPL level.
| Household Size | 200% FPL (Free Care) | 300% FPL (Discount Cap) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $31,920/yr | $47,880/yr |
| 2 people | $43,280/yr | $64,920/yr |
| 3 people | $54,640/yr | $81,960/yr |
| 4 people | $66,000/yr | $99,000/yr |
| 5 people | $77,360/yr | $116,040/yr |
| 6 people | $88,720/yr | $133,080/yr |
| 7 people | $100,080/yr | $150,120/yr |
| 8 people | $111,440/yr | $167,160/yr |
Additional Requirements
- Asset test: Saint Luke's considers checking accounts, savings, IRAs, CDs, retirement savings, and investments in addition to income.
- Medically necessary services only: Covers emergency and medically necessary care billed by Saint Luke's.
- Not retroactive to paid bills: Financial assistance applies to outstanding balances. If you already paid, recovery may not be possible.
- No insurance requirement: Both insured and uninsured patients can apply for the remaining patient responsibility.
- Apply within 240 days of the date of service.
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Get Help with Your BillCovered Facilities
Saint Luke's Hospitals (Kansas City Metro)
Rural and Specialty Facilities
NOT Covered (Separate Bills)
The Saint Luke's policy does not cover physicians, surgeons, anesthesiologists, pathologists, emergency physicians, radiologists, or any other providers who are not employed by Saint Luke's. You will receive separate bills from these providers and must apply to them individually for assistance.
Call 816-932-5678 to confirm which providers at your facility are employed by Saint Luke's and covered by the policy.
Documents You Will Need
Proof of Income
- Most recent federal tax return for all adults in household
- Recent paycheck stubs (most recent 30 days)
- Social Security Income (SSI) statements
- Pension statements
- Alimony and child support documentation
- If no income: signed statement explaining how you cover basic expenses
Proof of Assets
- 3 months of bank statements (checking and savings)
- IRA and retirement account statements
- Certificate of Deposit (CD) statements
- Investment account statements
- Documentation of any other assets
Important: Saint Luke's evaluates both income and assets. Even if your income qualifies, having significant savings, retirement accounts, or investments could affect eligibility. The asset review is more thorough than many hospital systems in the region.
How to Apply (Step by Step)
Check Your Eligibility
Use the calculator above. You qualify for 100% free care if your household income is at or below 200% FPL (about $31,920 for one person, $66,000 for a family of 4). Partial discounts are available up to 300% FPL. If your bill exceeds 20% of your annual income, you may qualify for catastrophic assistance at any income level.
Get the Application
Download the Financial Assistance Application from saintlukeskc.org/financial-assistance, pick up a copy at any Saint Luke's hospital admitting office, or request one by calling 816-932-5678. The application and all materials are available in English and Spanish at no cost.
Gather Your Documents
Collect 3 months of bank statements, your federal tax return, recent pay stubs, and documentation of all assets. If you have no proof of income, attach a signed statement explaining how you support basic living expenses (housing, food, utilities). Start gathering these immediately as this is the most time-consuming step.
Submit Your Application
You can submit by:
- Phone: 816-932-5678 or 888-581-9401 (toll-free)
- Email: patientfinancialservices@saint-lukes.org
- In person: Any Saint Luke's hospital admitting office
- Mail: Saint Luke's Health System, Patient Financial Services, 10920 Elm Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64134
Follow Up
Call 816-932-5678 (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm) to confirm receipt and check status. Keep copies of everything you submit. If you do not hear back within 30 days, call again. Your account should be flagged to pause collections while the application is being reviewed.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Missing the deadline: Apply within 240 days of your date of service (not your first bill date).
- Forgetting asset documentation: Saint Luke's reviews assets in addition to income. Missing bank or investment statements will delay your application.
- Assuming physician bills are covered: Non-employed physicians (anesthesiologists, radiologists, ER doctors) bill separately and are NOT covered by this policy.
- Not asking about catastrophic assistance: Even if your income is above 300% FPL, you may qualify if your bill exceeds 20% of annual income.
- Paying before applying: Once you pay a bill, it may be difficult to get a refund through financial assistance. Apply first.
Insider Tips and Non-Obvious Facts
The Catastrophic Provision is Your Secret Weapon
Most patients do not know about the catastrophic assistance provision. If your patient responsibility exceeds 20% of your annual income and financial resources, Saint Luke's will reduce your bill to that 20% threshold. This applies regardless of your FPL percentage. A family earning $80,000/year with a $25,000 hospital bill (31% of income) could have their responsibility capped at $16,000.
The Auto Insurance Lien History
Saint Luke's settled a $3.5 million class action after refusing to accept health insurance from car accident patients, instead pursuing higher payouts from auto insurers. They filed liens against patients who received auto insurance settlements. Under the settlement, Saint Luke's agreed to accept valid health insurance and dropped liens against 193 patients. If you were in a car accident and received treatment at Saint Luke's, be aware of potential lien activity and know your rights.
Missouri vs. Kansas Facilities
Saint Luke's operates hospitals in both Missouri and Kansas. The same financial assistance policy applies regardless of which state your facility is in. However, state-level protections differ. Missouri has a 10-year statute of limitations on written contracts, while Kansas has a 5-year limit. If you have a choice of facilities, this difference may matter for debt collection exposure.
The No-Income Statement Workaround
If you have no proof of income (no tax return, no pay stubs, no benefits), Saint Luke's accepts a signed statement explaining how you support basic living expenses such as housing, food, and utilities. This is explicitly stated in their policy. Do not let a lack of traditional income documentation prevent you from applying.
BJC Merger Transition Period
Since the January 2024 merger with BJC HealthCare, billing systems are still transitioning. You may receive bills from BJC Health System rather than Saint Luke's directly. The financial assistance application still references Saint Luke's Health System. If you receive confusing billing from multiple entities, call 816-932-5678 to clarify which entity holds your balance and confirm financial assistance eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Saint Luke's financial assistance?
Patients with household income at or below 200% FPL qualify for 100% free care. Patients between 200% and 300% FPL qualify for partial discounts. Additionally, any patient whose bill exceeds 20% of their annual income may qualify for catastrophic assistance regardless of income level. Both insured and uninsured patients can apply.
What is the catastrophic assistance provision?
If your patient responsibility exceeds 20% of your annual income and financial resources, Saint Luke's will reduce your bill to an amount equal to 20% of your annual income. This applies even if your income is above 300% FPL. This is one of the most generous catastrophic provisions in the Kansas City metro area.
Does the policy cover physician bills?
No. The policy only covers services billed by Saint Luke's hospitals and employed physicians. Independent physicians, surgeons, anesthesiologists, pathologists, emergency physicians, and radiologists bill separately. You must contact those providers individually for financial assistance. Call 816-932-5678 to confirm which providers are employed by Saint Luke's.
How long do I have to apply?
You have 240 days from the date of service to submit a complete application with all required documentation. Do not wait until a bill goes to collections. Apply as early as possible after receiving your first statement.
Has Saint Luke's been involved in collection lawsuits?
Saint Luke's settled a $3.5 million class action over refusing health insurance from car accident patients and filing liens against those patients. The settlement required Saint Luke's to accept valid health insurance and drop liens against 193 insured patients. A $500,000 fund was established for 737 affected patients. The settlement covers Saint Luke's eight hospitals in Missouri but not its four facilities in Kansas.
What if I have no income documentation?
If you have no proof of income (no tax return filed, no pay stubs, no benefit letters), you can attach a signed statement explaining how you support basic living expenses including housing, food, and utilities. This is explicitly allowed by Saint Luke's policy. Do not let a lack of traditional documentation prevent you from applying.
Contact Information
Financial Assistance Phone
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Email and Mail
Need Help with Your Saint Luke's Bill?
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Start Your Free Case ReviewThis guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Information is based on publicly available Saint Luke's Health System financial assistance policies as of 2026. Since the January 2024 merger with BJC HealthCare, policies may be updated. Eligibility requirements, income thresholds, and application processes may change. Always verify current requirements directly with Saint Luke's Health System at 816-932-5678 or visit saintlukeskc.org/financial-assistance.