How to Ask a Hospital for Financial Assistance (NJ)

Short answer. Call or visit the hospital's billing or business office and ask for its financial assistance policy, the application and the plain language summary. In New Jersey, also ask for a Charity Care application. Charity Care offers free or reduced-charge hospital care for residents without full coverage, based on income and assets, and you can apply up to one year from the date of service.

Two programs that can overlap

Hospital financial assistance policies. Under IRS section 501(r), a nonprofit hospital must have a written policy for emergency and other medically necessary care. The IRS says it must explain who is eligible, how charges are figured and how to apply, and the policy, application and plain language summary must be online and free on paper. Bills must carry a notice about it. Under 501(r)(5), a patient who qualifies can't be charged more than the amounts generally billed to people with insurance for that care.

New Jersey Charity Care. The NJ Department of Health describes it as free or reduced-charge care at New Jersey acute care hospitals for state residents who have no coverage or coverage that pays only part of the bill, and who aren't eligible for Medicaid or other medical assistance. It is "not health insurance."

Step 1: Ask for the papers by name

Call the number on the bill and ask for "the financial assistance policy, the application and the plain language summary," and, in New Jersey, "a Charity Care application." You can also apply in person at the hospital's business or admissions office. Ask for an itemized bill at the same time so you can see what you're being charged for.

Step 2: Ask them to hold the account

Tell the billing office you're applying. For nonprofit hospitals, the IRS rules say that once a complete application is in, the hospital must suspend extraordinary collection actions (such as credit reporting, selling the debt or lawsuits) while it decides. Ask how they'll note the account and write down who you spoke with.

Step 3: Gather your documents

Proof of income for your household (pay stubs, benefit letters, a tax return).
Proof of assets (recent bank statements).
Proof of New Jersey residency on the date of service.
Your insurance card and any denial or explanation of benefits, if you had partial coverage.

The NJ page says the hospital will first screen you for insurance, Medicaid or other programs, and that not finishing that screening promptly can lead to billing and collection. Answer those questions quickly.

Step 4: Know the Charity Care scale

The Department of Health publishes this scale, based on the federal poverty guidelines:

200% or below of the guideline: you pay 0% of the hospital charge
201% to 225% of the guideline: you pay 20% of the hospital charge
226% to 250% of the guideline: you pay 40% of the hospital charge
251% to 275% of the guideline: you pay 60% of the hospital charge
276% to 300% of the guideline: you pay 80% of the hospital charge
Above 300% of the guideline: you pay 100% (no reduction) of the hospital charge

Assets must be no more than $7,500 for an individual or $15,000 for a family; extra assets can be spent down on the bill or approved medical expenses. Between 200% and 300%, out-of-pocket medical expenses above 30% of gross yearly income may also qualify.

Step 5: Submit a complete application and follow up

The NJ page says the hospital decides within 10 business days of a complete application, and an application missing documents may be denied, though you can send more. Keep copies of everything and the date you handed it in. Questions go to the state Charity Care Unit at 1-866-588-5696 or 609-292-4709.

Step 6: Check the other bills

Charity Care covers hospital charges. The NJ page says private physician fees, anesthesiology, radiology interpretation and outpatient prescriptions are billed separately and may not be reduced. Ask each of those offices whether it has its own assistance or a payment plan.

Deadlines to keep in view

Charity Care: up to one year from the date of service.
Nonprofit hospital policies: the IRS describes a 240-day application period, counted from the first billing statement after discharge, and a 120-day wait before extraordinary collection actions can start.

Example: where a household lands on the scale (hypothetical)

A family of 3 with $60,000 of yearly income. The 2026 poverty guideline for three people is $27,320 (HealthCare.gov), so their income is about 219% of it. On the published scale that row is 20%.

On a $4,000 hospital charge, a 20% share would be $800, if their assets are within the $15,000 family limit and the hospital approves the application. The hospital decides, and it may use a different year's guideline for your date of service, so ask which one.

Sources

Common questions

Is Charity Care the same as health insurance?

No. The NJ Department of Health says Charity Care is not health insurance. It reduces or removes hospital charges for care at New Jersey acute care hospitals for people who qualify.

How long do I have to apply for Charity Care?

The NJ Department of Health says up to one year from your date of service.

Does Charity Care cover the doctor's bill too?

Not always. Private physician fees, anesthesiology, radiology interpretation and outpatient prescriptions are separate and may not be reduced. Ask each provider about its own help.

Can the hospital send my bill to collections while I apply?

For nonprofit hospitals, IRS rules say a complete financial assistance application suspends extraordinary collection actions until the hospital decides. Tell the billing office you're applying and ask them to note the account.

Can I apply if I have insurance?

Charity Care is for residents with no coverage or coverage that pays only part of the bill. A hospital's own financial assistance policy may also help insured patients with what they owe; ask for it.

Related guides

This guide is general information, checked November 2026 against the official pages listed in Sources. It is not legal, medical, insurance or financial advice, and MCC Solutions is not affiliated with any hospital or government agency. The hospital, insurer or agency decides each case.

If you want it in writing

Medical Bill Help Kit

An itemized bill request letter, financial assistance and Charity Care checklists, a payment plan letter and a call log for working through one bill at a time.

See the kit ($12)

Also part of the Tough Times Toolkit ($29), which bundles six of the Tough Times kits.

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