Hospital financial assistance in New York
New York 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 194 New York 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 York (2026 guidelines)
Annual household income at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level — at or below these figures, New York 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 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.
All licensed hospitals in New York
Up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
Bill written off in full
N.Y. Public Health Law § 2807-k(9-a)
200%–300% of the Federal Poverty Level
You can be charged no more than 10% of what Medicaid would have paid for the same service
N.Y. Public Health Law § 2807-k(9-a)
300%–400% of the Federal Poverty Level
You can be charged no more than 20% of what Medicaid would have paid for the same service
N.Y. Public Health Law § 2807-k(9-a)
New York hospitals covered in detail
- Mount Sinai Hospital — New York
- NYU Langone Hospitals — New York
- Montefiore Medical Center - Henry & Lucy Moses Div — Bronx
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital - Columbia Presbyterian Center — New York
- Bellevue Hospital Center — New York
- Strong Memorial Hospital — Rochester
Every other New York hospital is in the checker too, including hospitals in Albany, Amherst, Amsterdam, Auburn, Batavia, Bay Shore, Bethpage, Binghamton.
If a New York hospital does not follow the law
New York complaints are handled by New York State Department of Health — Centralized Hospital Complaint Program. 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 York?
Under N.Y. Public Health Law Section 2807-k(9-a), 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 York?
New York rules still reach higher incomes. 200%–300% of the Federal Poverty Level: you can be charged no more than 10% of what medicaid would have paid for the same service. 300%–400% of the Federal Poverty Level: you can be charged no more than 20% of what medicaid would have paid for the same service. The protections run up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Which New York hospitals have to offer financial assistance?
Brightbill tracks 194 hospitals in New York. The New York 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 York 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 York 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.Y. Public Health Law Section 2807-k(9-a), and New York State Department of Health — Centralized Hospital Complaint Program handles complaints when a hospital does not follow it.
Does Brightbill give legal advice about New York 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.Y. Public Health Law Section 2807-k(9-a) — requires licensed New York 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.