WakeMed Health & Hospitals Financial Assistance: Income Limits and How to Apply (2026)

WakeMed Health & Hospitals offers 100% free care to patients with household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $99,000 a year for a family of four). Here is who qualifies, what you need, and how to apply.

Updated June 2026

WakeMed Health & Hospitals Income Limits for Free Care

Your eligibility is based on household income as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level. Free care applies at or below 300% FPL.

Household size	Free care if income is at or below (300% FPL)
1 person	$47,880
2 people	$64,920
3 people	$81,960
4 people	$99,000
5 people	$116,040
6 people	$133,080

Income figures use 2026 Federal Poverty Level guidelines and are rounded. Actual eligibility depends on the hospital's review of your application.

What WakeMed Health & Hospitals Offers

Free care

100% of the bill at or below 300% FPL. 100% free charity care for North Carolina residents at or below 300% FPL (single tier, raised under the 2024 NC Medical Debt De-Weaponization Act).

Uninsured discount

a 62% self-pay discount on hospital charges (30% on physician charges).

Hardship / catastrophic

Applicants over 300% FPL with medical debt of 20% or more of income may have balances reduced to 15% of household income (once per year).

How to Apply for WakeMed Health & Hospitals Financial Assistance

1
Request an itemized bill
Ask for a fully itemized bill so you can confirm every charge before you apply or pay.
2
Gather your documents
Collect proof of income, proof of household size, government-issued photo id, recent bank statements.
3
Submit the WakeMed Health & Hospitals application
Most recent tax return, last 4 weeks of pay stubs, and proof of NC residency; WakeMed Customer Service 919-350-8359.
4
Ask for a billing hold
Request a hold on collections activity while your application is reviewed, so the account does not advance.
5
Get the decision in writing
Keep the approval or denial in writing. You generally have about 240 days from your billing date to apply. If you are denied, you can appeal or request an interest-free payment plan.

What you will need

Proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax return, or benefit award letters)
Proof of household size (tax return listing dependents, or similar)
Government-issued photo ID
Recent bank statements

Deadline: about 240 days from billing.

Residency: North Carolina resident..

Citizenship: not required.

Before you pay, know this

Applying for financial assistance does not affect your credit.
Many hospitals grant presumptive eligibility if you already receive Medicaid, SNAP, or similar programs, which can speed approval.
You can often apply even after a bill goes to collections, and assistance is frequently applied retroactively. Do not assume it is too late.
If you are denied, you can appeal or ask for an interest-free payment plan.

Not sure you qualify? You may still be able to save.

Charity care is only one way to lower a hospital bill. CareRoute Bill Defense works every angle on your WakeMed Health & Hospitals bill: billing errors, insurance underpayments and denied claims, financial assistance, and direct negotiation with the hospital. So even if you do not qualify for free care, there is often money to save. You pay nothing upfront and only a fraction of what we save you (capped at $1,000). If we cannot lower your bill, you owe nothing.

Get help with your bill

North Carolina also has medical-bill protections that may help beyond WakeMed Health & Hospitals's own program, such as limits on collections, credit reporting, and wage garnishment.

See all North Carolina medical bill rights

Frequently Asked Questions

Does WakeMed Health & Hospitals offer financial assistance or charity care?

Yes. WakeMed Health & Hospitals provides 100% free care to patients with household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. Uninsured patients also receive a 62% self-pay discount on hospital charges (30% on physician charges).

What is the income limit for free care at WakeMed Health & Hospitals?

Free care is available at or below 300% FPL. For a family of four in 2026 that is about $99,000 per year. See the income table above for other household sizes.

How do I apply for WakeMed Health & Hospitals financial assistance?

Request an itemized bill, gather your income documents and a photo ID, then submit the hospital's financial assistance application. Most recent tax return, last 4 weeks of pay stubs, and proof of NC residency; WakeMed Customer Service 919-350-8359. You generally have about 240 days from your billing date to apply.

Can insured patients qualify for financial assistance at WakeMed Health & Hospitals?

Yes. The balance left after your insurance pays can still qualify for charity care or a discount if you meet the income limits above. Some states and hospitals also ask insured patients to show high out-of-pocket costs, so confirm the exact rule with WakeMed Health & Hospitals.

Does WakeMed Health & Hospitals help uninsured patients?

Yes. Uninsured patients can apply for charity care, and WakeMed Health & Hospitals also offers a 62% self-pay discount on hospital charges (30% on physician charges). Uninsured patients often have the most to gain, since the full charge is on the table.

What if my bill is unaffordable even above the income limit?

WakeMed Health & Hospitals has a hardship provision. Applicants over 300% FPL with medical debt of 20% or more of income may have balances reduced to 15% of household income (once per year). It is worth applying even if your income is above the free-care line.

Can I apply for WakeMed Health & Hospitals financial assistance if my bill is already in collections?

You can usually still apply even after a bill goes to collections, and hospitals often apply approved assistance retroactively to recent accounts. Applying can also pause collection activity while the hospital reviews your case, so apply within about 240 days of your billing date.

Will applying for financial assistance affect my credit?

No. Applying for hospital financial assistance is not a credit check and does not affect your credit score. Getting a bill reduced or covered actually helps you avoid the collections and credit damage that come from an unpaid balance.

Does WakeMed Health & Hospitals require US citizenship or residency?

No. WakeMed Health & Hospitals does not require US citizenship, and immigration status does not bar eligibility. Residency note: North Carolina resident.

Can CareRoute help with a WakeMed Health & Hospitals bill?

Yes. CareRoute Bill Defense looks at every way to lower your bill, not just charity care: billing errors, insurance underpayments and denied claims, financial assistance, and direct negotiation. You pay nothing upfront and only a fraction of what we save you (capped at $1,000), with no fee at all if we cannot reduce your bill.

Sources and verification. Last verified June 2026, based on WakeMed Health & Hospitals's published financial assistance policy (official policy). How we research these guides.

Eligibility details may change. This page is informational and not financial or legal advice. Confirm current terms with WakeMed Health & Hospitals's financial assistance office before applying.