Hospital financial assistance in Illinois
Illinois law requires hospitals to reduce or write off bills for patients whose household income falls below set levels — the program usually called charity care. Below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level the bill must be written off in full. Brightbill tracks 208 Illinois hospitals and shows the statute behind every answer.
Free and anonymous — no account, no sign-in, no bill number.
Free-care income limits in Illinois (2026 guidelines)
Annual household income at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level — at or below these figures, Illinois law requires the bill to be written off in full.
- Household of 1
- $31,920
- Household of 2
- $43,280
- Household of 3
- $54,640
- Household of 4
- $66,000
- Household of 5
- $77,360
- Household of 6+
- $88,720
Discounts and payment protections continue above this level, up to 600% of the Federal Poverty Level.
All licensed hospitals in Illinois
Up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
Bill written off in full
210 ILCS 89
200%–600% of the Federal Poverty Level
Monthly payments capped at 25% of monthly household income
210 ILCS 89
Rural and critical-access hospitals in Illinois
Up to 125% of the Federal Poverty Level
Bill written off in full
210 ILCS 89
125%–300% of the Federal Poverty Level
Monthly payments capped at 25% of monthly household income
210 ILCS 89
Illinois hospitals covered in detail
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital — Chicago
- Rush University Medical Center — Chicago
- The University of Chicago Medical Center — Chicago
- Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation - DBA Advocate Christ Medical Center — Oak Lawn
- Loyola University Medical Center — Maywood
Every other Illinois hospital is in the checker too, including hospitals in Aledo, Alton, Anna, Arlington Heights, Aurora, Barrington, Belleville, Belvidere.
If a Illinois hospital does not follow the law
Illinois complaints are handled by Office of the Illinois Attorney General — Health Care Bureau. The Action Kit includes that office's direct contact details along with a drafted complaint-ready letter.
Common questions
Who qualifies for free hospital care in Illinois?
Under 210 ILCS 89, Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act, a household with income up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level qualifies to have the bill written off in full. Using the 2026 federal poverty guidelines, that is about $31,920 a year for a household of one and about $66,000 a year for a household of four.
What if my income is above the free-care limit in Illinois?
Illinois rules still reach higher incomes. 200%–600% of the Federal Poverty Level: monthly payments capped at 25% of monthly household income. The protections run up to 600% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Which Illinois hospitals have to offer financial assistance?
Brightbill tracks 208 hospitals in Illinois. The Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois 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 210 ILCS 89, Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act, and Office of the Illinois Attorney General — Health Care Bureau handles complaints when a hospital does not follow it.
Does Brightbill give legal advice about Illinois 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: 210 ILCS 89, Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act — requires licensed Illinois 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.