UAB Medicine Financial Assistance: Free Care to 200% FPL + Discounts to 400% FPL (2026 Guide)
UAB Medicine (University of Alabama at Birmingham) is the largest employer in Alabama and the state's only Level 1 Trauma Center. As a nonprofit academic medical center, UAB provides over $70 million in unreimbursed charity care annually, making it one of the largest charity care providers in the Southeast. Patients with household income at or below 200% FPL qualify for a full charity write-off, and those between 200-400% FPL receive sliding-scale discounts. No residency or citizenship requirement.
Critical: Outpatient Approval Required BEFORE Scheduling
Unlike most hospitals, UAB requires charity care approval BEFORE you can schedule outpatient appointments at Kirklin Clinic or affiliated outpatient clinics. This catches many patients off guard. For inpatient/emergency care, you can apply after receiving services. Call (205) 934-9999 to start the approval process well in advance of any planned outpatient visit.
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Quick Facts
100% Free Care (0-200% FPL)
Patients with household income at or below 200% FPL (~$31,920/yr single) receive a full charity write-off for all covered services
Sliding-Scale Discounts (200-400% FPL)
Patients with income between 200-400% FPL (~$31,921-$63,840/yr single) receive partial discounts on a sliding scale
5 Facilities in Birmingham
UAB Hospital, Highlands, Kirklin Clinic, Medical West, and Callahan Eye Hospital
240-Day Application Window
From the date of service. Approval notification within 7 business days of complete application.
No Residency Requirement
You do not need to be an Alabama resident to qualify for UAB Medicine charity care.
No Citizenship Requirement
Immigration status does not affect eligibility for UAB financial assistance.
Eligibility & Income Limits (2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines)
| Income Level (% FPL) | Approximate Income (Single) | Discount Level |
|---|---|---|
| 0-200% FPL | Up to ~$31,920/yr | 100% Free Care (Full Charity Write-Off) |
| 201-300% FPL | ~$31,921 - ~$47,880/yr | Sliding-scale discount |
| 301-400% FPL | ~$47,881 - ~$63,840/yr | Sliding-scale discount |
| Above 400% FPL | Above ~$63,840/yr | Not eligible (payment plans available) |
Important Notes
- No residency requirement to qualify for UAB charity care.
- No citizenship requirement. Immigration status does not affect eligibility.
- Covers emergency, inpatient, and medically necessary services.
- For outpatient Kirklin Clinic visits, you must be approved BEFORE scheduling.
- Apply within 240 days of the date of service.
- Approval notification within 7 business days of a complete application.
- UAB provides over $70 million in unreimbursed charity care annually.
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Get Help with Your BillCovered Facilities
UAB Medicine Hospitals and Clinics (Birmingham, Alabama)
The financial assistance policy applies to all UAB Medicine entities listed above. UAB is the largest employer in Alabama with over 23,000 employees.
Documents You Will Need
Required Documents
- Proof of income (pay stubs or tax return)
- Household size verification
- Government-issued ID
Additional Notes
- No proof of residency required
- No proof of citizenship required
- Insurance information (if applicable)
Critical for Outpatient Care: You must apply and be APPROVED before scheduling at Kirklin Clinic or affiliated outpatient clinics. Plan ahead and allow at least 7 business days for approval. For inpatient and emergency care, you can apply after receiving services.
How to Apply (Step by Step)
Check Your Eligibility
100% free care for household income at or below 200% FPL (~$31,920/yr single). Sliding-scale discounts for income between 200-400% FPL (~$63,840/yr single). No residency or citizenship requirement.
Contact Financial Counseling
Call UAB Financial Counseling at (205) 934-9999 or the main line at (800) 822-8816. A counselor will explain the process and help determine which programs fit your situation.
Gather Your Documents
Collect proof of income (pay stubs or tax return), household size verification, and a government-issued ID. Incomplete applications will be delayed.
Submit Your Application
You can submit by:
- In person: Financial Counseling at any UAB Medicine facility
- Phone: (205) 934-9999 or (800) 822-8816
- Online: Visit uabmedicine.org charity care page
Wait for Approval (7 Business Days)
UAB provides approval notification within 7 business days of receiving a complete application. Call (205) 934-9999 to check status if you have not heard back.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Not applying before outpatient visits: Kirklin Clinic requires pre-approval for charity care patients. If you show up without approval, you will be turned away or billed full price.
- Missing the deadline: Apply within 240 days of the date of service.
- Incomplete application: Missing documents will delay processing. Gather everything before submitting.
- Assuming Medicaid will cover you: Alabama did NOT expand Medicaid. Childless adults get zero Medicaid coverage regardless of income. Hospital charity care may be your only option.
- Ignoring bills while waiting: Contact UAB to let them know you are applying so your account is flagged appropriately.
Alabama Context: Why This Matters
No Medicaid Expansion
Alabama did NOT expand Medicaid. The income threshold is just 18% FPL for parents (approximately $2,900/year for a family), and childless adults receive ZERO Medicaid coverage regardless of how low their income is. This means hospital charity care programs like UAB's are literally the only safety net for most low-income adults in Alabama.
Alabama Medical Debt Laws
- Statute of limitations: 6 years on medical debt in Alabama
- Homestead exemption: Only $15,000 (one of the lowest in the country)
- No state charity care mandate: Alabama relies solely on federal 501(c)(3) requirements
- Wage garnishment: Alabama allows up to 25% of disposable earnings
Compare: UAB St. Vincent's (Ascension)
UAB St. Vincent's, a separate Ascension system hospital also in Birmingham, has a MORE generous threshold of 250% FPL for free care (compared to UAB Medicine's 200% FPL). If your income is between 200-250% FPL, check both programs. You may qualify for full charity care at St. Vincent's while only getting a partial discount at UAB Medicine.
What If You Are Denied?
1. Contact Financial Counseling
Call (205) 934-9999 to discuss the denial. Common reasons include income above 400% FPL or incomplete documentation.
2. Reapply with Additional Documentation
If your situation has changed or you can provide more complete documentation, submit a new application. Make sure all required documents are included this time.
3. Explore Other Options
- UAB St. Vincent's (Ascension): 250% FPL threshold for free care (more generous than UAB Medicine)
- Request an itemized bill: Review all charges for errors or overcharges
- Payment plans: UAB offers extended payment arrangements
- Request a cash-pay discount: Uninsured patients may get a self-pay discount even without charity care approval
- Contact Alabama Legal Services: Free legal help for low-income Alabamians facing medical debt
Let CareRoute Bill Defense Help
If your application was denied or you need help negotiating your UAB Medicine bill, CareRoute Bill Defense can review your case and negotiate on your behalf at no upfront cost.
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Official Policy Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for UAB Medicine financial assistance?
Patients with household income at or below 200% FPL (~$31,920/yr single) qualify for 100% free care (full charity write-off). Patients with income between 200-400% FPL qualify for sliding-scale discounts. There is no residency or citizenship requirement. Both insured and uninsured patients are eligible.
Do I need to be approved before my appointment at Kirklin Clinic?
Yes. This is a critical difference from most hospitals. For outpatient appointments at Kirklin Clinic and affiliated outpatient clinics, you must be approved for charity care BEFORE scheduling. Call (205) 934-9999 well in advance. For inpatient and emergency care at UAB Hospital or Highlands, you can apply after receiving services.
How long does approval take?
UAB provides approval notification within 7 business days of receiving a complete application. Incomplete applications will take longer, so gather all documents before submitting.
Does Alabama have Medicaid for low-income adults?
Alabama did NOT expand Medicaid. Parents qualify only if income is below 18% FPL (roughly $2,900/year), and childless adults receive zero Medicaid coverage. Hospital charity care programs like UAB's are often the only option for uninsured low-income adults in Alabama.
How does UAB compare to UAB St. Vincent's (Ascension)?
UAB St. Vincent's (part of the Ascension system, also in Birmingham) has a more generous threshold of 250% FPL for free care, compared to UAB Medicine's 200% FPL. If your income is between 200-250% FPL, you may qualify for full charity care at St. Vincent's while receiving only a partial discount at UAB Medicine. Worth checking both.
What is the statute of limitations on medical debt in Alabama?
Alabama has a 6-year statute of limitations on medical debt. The state also has a very low homestead exemption of only $15,000, meaning your home equity has limited protection from creditors. This makes applying for charity care early especially important in Alabama.
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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 UAB Medicine financial assistance policies as of 2026. Eligibility requirements, income thresholds, and application processes may change. There is no state charity care mandate in Alabama (relies on federal 501(c)(3) requirements only). Always verify current requirements directly with UAB Medicine at (205) 934-9999 or visit uabmedicine.org.