Most hospitals have them. Almost nobody asks.
Non-profit hospitals are legally required by the federal government to have a Financial Assistance Policy. This policy explains how eligible patients can receive discounts or have their medical debt forgiven entirely. These programs are often called charity care. You do not need to be completely destitute to qualify for these benefits.
Hospitals use the Federal Poverty Guidelines to determine if you qualify for assistance. They look at your household income and family size to see if you meet their specific threshold. Some hospitals offer full write-offs for lower incomes, while others use a sliding scale for those earning slightly more. You will typically need to provide pay stubs or tax returns to verify your financial status.
A hospital will not automatically apply these discounts to your bill. You must request an application from the patient financial services department or their website. Once you submit the paperwork, the hospital must pause aggressive collection actions while they review your case. If you have already received a bill, ask for this application immediately.
Billing departments are often overwhelmed and may not volunteer information about these programs during intake. The system is intentionally complex, which causes many patients to assume they are ineligible before they even apply. Do not take the initial bill as the final word on what you owe. Persistence in navigating the department is often the only way to lower your costs.