Hospital financial assistance in California
California law requires hospitals to reduce or write off bills for patients whose household income falls below set levels — the program usually called charity care. Brightbill tracks 415 California hospitals and shows the statute behind every answer.
Free and anonymous — no account, no sign-in, no bill number.
All licensed hospitals in California
Up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level
Hospital-specific policy applies
Cal. Health & Safety Code sections 127400, 127405
Rural and critical-access hospitals in California
0% of the Federal Poverty Level and above
Hospital-specific policy applies
This hospital is flagged rural and may set a different income limit than the statewide 400% figure. Contact the hospital directly to ask about their policy.
Cal. Health & Safety Code section 127400 et seq. (rural hospital exception)
If a California hospital does not follow the law
California complaints are handled by California Dept. of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) — Hospital Bill Complaint Program. The Action Kit includes that office's direct contact details along with a drafted complaint-ready letter.
Common questions
What if my income is above the free-care limit in California?
California rules still reach higher incomes. Up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level: hospital-specific policy applies. The protections run up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Which California hospitals have to offer financial assistance?
Brightbill tracks 415 hospitals in California. The California rule applies to licensed hospitals in the state, and nonprofit hospitals nationwide must also have a written financial assistance policy to keep their federal tax exemption.
Is the California eligibility check free?
Yes. The Brightbill eligibility check is free and anonymous. It needs no account and no sign-in, and never asks for your name, hospital records, bill number or contact details. An optional $19 Action Kit adds a saved result, a checklist, a hospital call script, a drafted request letter and the state regulator's contact details.
Can I still apply after my California bill has gone to collections?
Often yes. Many state charity-care laws let you apply after the bill is issued, and applying can pause collection activity or lead to a refund if you already paid more than the law allows. The exact window is set by Cal. Health & Safety Code sections 127400, 127405, and California Dept. of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) — Hospital Bill Complaint Program handles complaints when a hospital does not follow it.
Does Brightbill give legal advice about California hospital bills?
No. Brightbill is an eligibility estimate to act on, not legal advice, and it is not affiliated with any hospital. It shows the statute behind every result so you can check it yourself; the hospital's financial assistance office makes the final decision.
Takes about two minutes.
Legal basis: Cal. Health & Safety Code sections 127400, 127405 — requires licensed California hospitals to offer charity care and discount payment to eligible patients.
This is an estimate, not legal advice. Each hospital's financial assistance office makes the final decision. Terms.