Jill Hanken

T(804) 782-9430 ext. 13

F(804) 649-0974

Ejill@vplc.org

Resources

Health Law Resources

Free and Discounted Care at Hospitals in Virginia

 

What types of financial assistance programs are available?

1. Charity Care Policies – nearly all hospitals in Virginia provide both free and discounted health care services to low-income patients through charity care programs. According to a report from the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, hospitals in Virginia provided $491 million in charity care to Virginians in 2009.  Charity care policies vary greatly among hospitals but they generally provide free care to people living below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and discounts calculated on a sliding scale to patients with incomes above 200% of FPL but less than 400% of FPL.

2. Uninsured Discount Policies – many hospitals in Virginia also offer a flat discount for any uninsured patients. These discounts are often available to all patients, regardless of income.

Who qualifies for the discounts?

Policies vary greatly throughout the Commonwealth, but you are likely to qualify if:

 

    • Your household makes less than 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
    • You are uninsured and not eligible for any form of health insurance (including public assistance through programs like Medicare, Medicaid and FAMIS)
    • You provide information about income and other financial resources when requested by the hospital.

     

    What are the current federal poverty guidelines (FPL)?

    Persons in Family

    100% of FPL

    200% of FPL

    1

    $10,890

    $21,780

    2

    $14,710

    $29,420

    3

    $18,530

    $37,060

    4

    $22,350

    $44,700

    5

    $26,170

    $52,340

    6

    $29,990

    $59,980

    7

    $33,810

    $67,620

    8

    $37,630

    $75,260

    For each additional
    person, add

    $3,820

    $7,640

    SOURCE: Federal Register, Vol. 76, No. 13, January 20, 2011, pp. 3637-3638


    What types of services are typically covered?

    The services covered by financial assistance policies vary greatly throughout the Commonwealth. Be sure to confirm which services are covered by the financial assistance policy because they generally are limited to services that are non-elective or medically necessary.

    The policies also sometimes do not cover services provided by the medical groups that practice within the hospital. Hospitals contract with medical groups to provide services inside the hospital and are made up of doctors, nurse practitioners and other medical providers. The hospital’s financial assistance policy does not always apply to these medical groups, but they may offer a separate financial assistance policy.

    Where can I find more information about my hospital’s financial assistance programs?

    If a hospital in Virginia has a financial assistance policy, they are required to post information about the policy in public areas of the hospital and provide written information about their policy to (i) at the time of admission or discharge, or at the time services are provided, (ii) include the policy with any billing statements sent to uninsured patients, and (iii) include the policy on any website maintained by the hospital. This information should include specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying.

    Despite the disclosure requirements, you may need to contact the hospital’s billing department for specific information about their financial assistance policy. Be sure to also ask if the hospital’s financial assistance policy covers services provided by medical groups. If they don’t, call the medical groups providing services to you and see if they have their own policy that you can apply for.

    Does my hospital disclose specific information about their financial assistance policy’s eligibility criteria and procedures for applying on their website?

    All hospitals in the Commonwealth are required to post information about their charity care policies, including any policies related to free and discounted care, on any website maintained by the hospital.

    We have developed a list of all acute, children and critical access hospitals in Virginia with links to their financial assistance policies. Please note that, despite the disclosure requirements, a number of hospitals do not disclose specific information about their policies on their website. You may need to contact the hospital’s billing department for specific information about their financial assistance policy.

    Augusta Medical Center
    Fishersville, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Bath County Community Hospital
    Hot Springs, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Bedford Memorial Hospital
    Bedford, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Bon Secours Depaul Medical Center
    Norfolk, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital
    Newport News, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center
    Portsmouth, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Buchanan General Hospital
    Grundy, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital
    Rocky Mount, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital
    Pearisburg, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Carilion New River Valley Medical Center
    Christianburg, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital
    Lexington, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital
    Tazewell, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Carillion Medical Center
    Roanoke, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Chesapeake Regional Medical Center
    Chesapeake, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Children's Hospital of the King's Daughter's Inc.
    Norfolk, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    CJW Medical Center
    Richmond, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Clinch Valley Medical Center
    Richlands, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Community Memorial Healthcenter
    South Hill, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Culpeper Regional Hospital
    Culpeper, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Cumberland Hospital for Children and Adolescents
    New Kent, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Danville Regional Medical Center
    Danville, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Dickenson Community Hospital
    Clintwood, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Fauquier Hospital, Inc.
    Warrenton, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Halifax Regional Hospital
    South Boston, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Henrico Doctors' Hospital
    Richmond, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Inova Alexandria Hospital
    Alexandria, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Inova Fair Oaks Hospital
    Fairfax, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Inova Fairfax Hospital
    Falls Church, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Inova Loudoun Hospital
    Leesburg, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Inova Mount Vernon Hospital
    Alexandria, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    John Randolph Medical Center
    Hopewell, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Johnston Memorial Hospital
    Abingdon, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Lee Regional Medical Center
    Pennington Gap, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    LewisGale Hospital Alleghany
    Low Moor, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    LewisGale Hospital Montgomery
    Blacksburg, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    LewisGale Hospital Pulaski
    Pulaski, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    LewisGale Medical Center
    Salem, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Lynchburg General Hospital
    Lynchburg, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Martha Jefferson Hospital
    Charlottesville, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Mary Washington Hospital, Inc.
    Fredericksburg, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Memorial Hospital of Martinsville & Henry County
    Martinsville, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Memorial Regional Medical Center
    Mechanicsville, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Mountain View Regional Medical Center
    Norton, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Norton Community Hospital
    Norton, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Page Memorial Hospital, Inc.
    Luray, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Pioneer Community Hospital of Patrick County
    Stuart, Virginia
    Hospital does not have a website. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy

    Prince William Hospital
    Manassas, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Rappahannock General Hospital
    Kilmarnock, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Reston Hospital Center
    Reston, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Richmond Community Hospital
    Richmond, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Riverside Regional Medical Center
    Newport News, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital
    Nassawadox, Virginia
    Financial Assistance Policy not disclosed on the Hospital’s website. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their policy.

    Riverside Tappahannock Hospital
    Tappahannock, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Riverside Walter Reed Hospital
    Gloucester, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Rockingham Memorial Hospital
    Harrisonburg, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Russell County Medical Center
    Lebanon, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Sentara Bayside Hospital
    Virginia Beach, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Sentara Careplex Hospital
    Hampton, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Sentara Leigh Hospital
    Norfolk, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
    Norfolk, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Sentara Obici Memorial Hospital
    Suffolk, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Sentara Potomac Hospital
    Woodbridge, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
    Virginia Beach, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Sentara Williamsburg Community Hospital
    Williamsburg, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Shenandoah Memorial Hospital
    Woodstock, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Smyth County Community Hospital
    Marion, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center
    Emporia, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Southhampton Memorial Hospital
    Franklin, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Southside Community Hospital, Inc.
    Farmville, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Southside Regional Medical Center
    Petersburg, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center
    Fredericksburg, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    St. Francis Medical Center
    Midlothian, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    St. Mary's Hospital
    Richmond, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Stafford Hospital Center
    Stafford, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Twin County Regional Hospital
    Galax, Virginia
    Financial Assistance Policy not disclosed on the Hospital’s website. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their policy.

    University of Virginia Medical Center
    Charlottesville, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    VCU Health System
    Richmond, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Virginia Hospital Center
    Arlington, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Warren Memorial Hospital
    Front Royal, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital
    Big Stone Gap, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy
    Note: Hospital’s website does not provide specific information about eligibility criteria and procedures for applying. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their financial assistance policy.

    Winchester Medical Center, Inc.
    Winchester, Virginia
    Click here for a link to the Financial Assistance Policy

    Wythe County Community Hospital
    Wytheville, Virginia
    Financial Assistance Policy not disclosed on the Hospital’s website. Contact the hospital’s billing department for more information about their policy.