We Can Help with Your Medical Bills
In keeping with our mission, Providence’s financial assistance program provides free and low-cost care to those who are eligible. This includes people who don’t have health insurance, as well as those who do have insurance but are unable to pay their out-of-pocket costs. In addition to free and low-cost care, Providence offers interest-free, long-term payment plans and assistance in securing health coverage.
Learn more about our financial assistance policies.
Helping by the Numbers
Roughly 3 out of 4 people who apply for financial assistance get help. Even if you don’t qualify, we can still support you by helping you build a payment plan, locate free clinics or apply for other coverage options.
In some cases, financial assistance can cover up to 100% of your bill.
In 2022, 451,411 patients depended on our financial assistance programs, including free and discounted care, interest-free, long-term payment plans and assistance in securing health coverage.
What You Can Expect if You Apply
We're here to help and you can expect:
You’ll receive an answer within 30 days after we receive your financial assistance application (14 days in Washington). Your bill will be placed on hold during this application process.
In addition to Providence’s financial assistance program, there are other options available to help lower and eliminate the costs of care. We can help you apply for Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs.
Could You Qualify for Financial Assistance?
Wondering if you might qualify for financial assistance? Use the calculator and see if Providence’s financial assistance program can help to reduce your bill.
Even patients with insurance or those who don’t qualify for other kinds of assistance are often pleasantly surprised by the amount of support they can receive.
We don’t store or save any of the information you enter into the calculator, keeping your data safe.
Want to learn more about what to expect when applying for financial assistance? Visit Financial Assistance Application Support
Ask a Financial Counselor
Call 855-229-6466 for help with financial assistance.
We’re available Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PT.
Or, to request a call from a Financial Counselor, select below
Find Providers Who Accept Financial Assistance
Some community providers who see patients at Providence hospitals bill separately for their charges and do not accept Providence financial assistance for those charges.
Select your state and medical facility so you can download a list of providers and see if they accept Providence financial assistance.
Reaching out directly to your provider’s office is the best way to determine if they participate. If you receive a bill from a non-Providence provider, please contact their billing office to see if they will honor or accept Providence's financial assistance.
Get More Financial Support
In addition to Providence's financial assistance program, there are other options available to help lower or eliminate the costs of care for patients in need. Our team of financial counselors can help you enroll in Medicare, Medicaid, qualified health plans, and other programs, as well as point you toward low-cost clinics in your area.
Financial Assistance Policies
Select your state/region and language to download a copy of the financial assistance policy.
Amounts Generally Billed (AGB)
If you're determined eligible for financial assistance, AGB ensures that you will not be charged more than the amounts that are generally billed to those who have insurance covering the same care. Each facility measures this differently.
Plain Language Summary
This document explains the basics of financial assistance at Providence.
Top Financial Assistance FAQs
A patient can apply for financial assistance at any point in their care journey with Providence. You can apply if you need help with medical bills you've already received or in anticipation of scheduled care.
Also, if you've been approved for financial assistance within the last 6 months, you don't need to reapply to get support for additional care. Call us to discuss how we can extend your approval timeline. We want you to be able to focus on your health.
Absolutely. We know that even patients with health insurance can be left with out-of-pocket costs. We encourage you to check your eligibility for financial assistance and consider applying. Most patients who apply for financial assistance receive support and have some or all of their bills covered.
If you don’t have insurance, ask a financial counselor for help finding an affordable plan and getting enrolled.
Your eligibility for financial assistance is based on your family size and income, and by your state’s eligibility requirements. We accept many kinds of documents as proof of income, such as last year’s tax returns, W-2 forms, paycheck stubs or even a letter from your employer.
If you're unemployed, you can submit proof or denial of unemployment benefits. If you're unable to provide proof of income or if you don’t have permanent housing, you can submit a letter explaining your income and living situation. We take everyone’s life circumstances into account when determining eligibility.
Though we’re exploring ways to make it easier for patients to check on the status of their financial assistance application, for now you’ll need to call us. It usually takes us 30 days (14 in Washington) to process financial assistance applications. Then we’ll send a letter letting you know if you qualify for help and how much. We'll also let you know if additional information is needed to make a decision.
Providence has options to make care more affordable for our patients. In addition to financial assistance, which can reduce or eliminate costs for those in need, we offer:
- Generous interest-free, long-term payment plan options.
- Assistance in applying for financial assistance and medical coverage, including COBRA, Medicare, Medicaid and coverage through the state or federal marketplace.