Hospital financial assistance in New Jersey
New Jersey 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 69 New Jersey hospitals and shows the statute behind every answer.
Free and anonymous — no account, no sign-in, no bill number.
Free-care income limits in New Jersey (2026 guidelines)
Annual household income at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level — at or below these figures, New Jersey 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 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.
All licensed hospitals in New Jersey
Up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
Bill written off in full
New Jersey Charity Care — free care. Applies to New Jersey acute-care hospitals under the state Charity Care program.
N.J.A.C. 10:52-11.8
200%–225% of the Federal Poverty Level
At least 80% off the bill
New Jersey Charity Care — 80% discount; the patient is responsible for no more than 20% of the bill.
N.J.A.C. 10:52-11.8
200%–300% of the Federal Poverty Level
Hardship route: bills above 30% of household income
Medical hardship: for applicants in the 200-300% FPL band, if qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses at this hospital exceed 30% of gross annual income, the amount above that 30% threshold is covered at 100%.
N.J.A.C. 10:52-11.8(d)
225%–250% of the Federal Poverty Level
At least 60% off the bill
New Jersey Charity Care — 60% discount; the patient is responsible for no more than 40% of the bill.
N.J.A.C. 10:52-11.8
250%–275% of the Federal Poverty Level
At least 40% off the bill
New Jersey Charity Care — 40% discount; the patient is responsible for no more than 60% of the bill.
N.J.A.C. 10:52-11.8
275%–300% of the Federal Poverty Level
At least 20% off the bill
New Jersey Charity Care — 20% discount; the patient is responsible for no more than 80% of the bill.
N.J.A.C. 10:52-11.8
New Jersey hospitals covered in detail
- Hackensack University Medical Center — Hackensack
- Cooper University Hospital — Camden
- Newark Beth Israel Medical Center — Newark
- Morristown Medical Center — Morristown
Every other New Jersey hospital is in the checker too, including hospitals in Atlantic City, Bayonne, Belleville, Brick, Camden, Cape May Court House, Cherry Hill, Denville.
If a New Jersey hospital does not follow the law
New Jersey complaints are handled by New Jersey Department of Health — Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program (Charity Care Unit). 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 New Jersey?
Under N.J.A.C. 10:52-11.1 et seq., Charity Care Program, 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 New Jersey?
New Jersey rules still reach higher incomes. 200%–225% of the Federal Poverty Level: at least 80% off the bill. 200%–300% of the Federal Poverty Level: hardship route: bills above 30% of household income. 225%–250% of the Federal Poverty Level: at least 60% off the bill. 250%–275% of the Federal Poverty Level: at least 40% off the bill. The protections run up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Which New Jersey hospitals have to offer financial assistance?
Brightbill tracks 69 hospitals in New Jersey. The New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 N.J.A.C. 10:52-11.1 et seq., Charity Care Program, and New Jersey Department of Health — Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program (Charity Care Unit) handles complaints when a hospital does not follow it.
Does Brightbill give legal advice about New Jersey 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: N.J.A.C. 10:52-11.1 et seq., Charity Care Program — requires licensed New Jersey 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.