New York Attorney General Letitia James released new guidance Thursday to help New Yorkers understand their rights to financial assistance for hospital bills.
Under New York's Hospital Financial Aid Law, all hospitals in the state are required to offer financial assistance to eligible patients who cannot afford their medical bills. The guidance explains who may qualify, what protections are available and how to apply.
Who qualifies for hospital financial assistance?
New Yorkers with household incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level may qualify for free or discounted hospital care, according to James' office.
Hospitals must waive charges for patients earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level. For example, a single New Yorker earning less than $31,920 or a four-person household
earning less than $66,000 is entitled to free care under the law.
Patients with higher incomes may qualify for discounted care. A single person earning up to $63,840 or a four-person household earning up to $132,000 may qualify for a discount.
Patients do not have to be uninsured to qualify. People with insurance may also be eligible if they have exhausted their benefits or have spent more than 10% of their household income on out-of-pocket medical expenses during the previous year.
What protections do patients have?
The attorney general's guidance outlines several protections under state law.
Hospitals cannot:
- Deny emergency or medically necessary care because of an unpaid bill.
- Limit financial assistance based on a patient's medical condition.
- Consider a patient's immigration status when determining eligibility for financial assistance.
- Report applicants for financial assistance to immigration authorities.
- Send a bill to a debt collector while a financial assistance application is under review or for at least six months after sending a patient's first bill.
Applying for hospital financial assistance also does not count as a public benefit or affect a person's immigration status, according to the attorney general's office.
How to apply for hospital financial assistance
New Yorkers can apply for financial assistance beginning when they receive medical services and throughout the billing and collections process.
Patients can use the standard application created by the New York State Department of Health. The attorney general's office provides additional information in its hospital financial assistance guidance.
People who believe a hospital failed to offer required financial assistance, improperly denied an application or unlawfully sent a bill to a debt collector can contact the attorney general's Health Care Helpline.
Why the guidance was released now
James said the guidance comes as changes to federal health care funding are expected to leave hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers without their previous health coverage.
According to the attorney general's office, the income limit for New York's Essential Plan fell from 250% to 200% of the federal poverty level on July 1, resulting in an estimated 450,000 New Yorkers losing zero-premium coverage and potentially moving to marketplace plans with higher costs.
"No New Yorker should have to choose between their health and their financial security," James said.
The attorney general's office said the new guidance is intended to help residents understand the financial assistance available to them before unpaid medical bills become a larger financial burden.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Can't afford a hospital bill in New York? You may qualify for free or discounted care
