Financial Assistance with Hospital Bills
Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP)
Every hospital in Ohio is required to proide free are to Ohio residents who are not on Medicaid and whose family income is below the poverty level.
Hospital services paid for include a hospital stay and outpatient services. Services not paid for include doctor bills, outpatient prescription medicines, or any srvice provided by others who are not part of the hospital. These providers bill separately. You apply for HCAP through the hospital billing department.
Hamilton County Hospital Levy
Hamilton County residents who receive care at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center or University Hospital can qualify for free or reduced cost care even when their income is above the poverty level. This includes prescription medicines. You apply for the Hamilton County Hospital Levy discounts through the hospital's billing department.
Charity care from hospitals
All hospitals in this area are not-for-profit, and offer a charity care program. Under this program you may qualify for a reduced cost or free care from the hospital. Apply for this program through the hospital's billing department.
What will happen if I can't pay my hospital bill?
If you can't pay you hospital bill, the billing department will contact you to tell you that your bill is overdue. It's important to meet with them to talk about how to get help with your bill. Ask them if you qualify for the HCAP program, charity care, Medicaid or discounted prices.
You may be able to set up plan with the hospital to pay a specific amount on your bill each month. Make sure you understand the terms of what is expected before you sign the papers for the payment plan.
If the hospital does not hear from you about payment, they may turn your bill over to a collection agency. This agency will contact you to pay the bill. you have the right to write a letter to the agency to ask them to stop calling.
You may be contacted by a lawyer the hospital has hired to sue you for the bill.
What do I do if I'm sued by the hospital for unpaid bills?
If you are sued by a hospital, you should file an answer with the court in the county where you have been sue. You can go to the clerk of courts office at the Hamilton County Courthouse at 1000 Main Street, 3rd Floor to file an answer. If you do not file an answer within 28 days of the lawsuit, the court will rule against you. The hospital can then take money out of your wages or place a lien on your property. You may also qualify for a lawyer to represent you at no cost from the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati. Call them at 513-241-9400