Hospital financial assistance in Washington
Washington 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 106 Washington hospitals and shows the statute behind every answer.
Free and anonymous — no account, no sign-in, no bill number.
Free-care income limits in Washington (2026 guidelines)
Annual household income at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level — at or below these figures, Washington 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 Washington
Up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
Bill written off in full
Washington law also lets a hospital look at your assets, but it is not required to and many do not. If a hospital does screen assets, state law requires generous exclusions, including your primary home, retirement accounts, and a vehicle. This does not change the income tiers above.
RCW 70.170.060(5)
200%–250% of the Federal Poverty Level
At least 75% off the bill
Washington law also lets a hospital look at your assets, but it is not required to and many do not. If a hospital does screen assets, state law requires generous exclusions, including your primary home, retirement accounts, and a vehicle. This does not change the income tiers above.
RCW 70.170.060(5)
250%–300% of the Federal Poverty Level
At least 50% off the bill
Washington law also lets a hospital look at your assets, but it is not required to and many do not. If a hospital does screen assets, state law requires generous exclusions, including your primary home, retirement accounts, and a vehicle. This does not change the income tiers above.
RCW 70.170.060(5)
Large hospital systems in Washington
Up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level
Bill written off in full
Washington law also lets a hospital look at your assets, but it is not required to and many do not. If a hospital does screen assets, state law requires generous exclusions, including your primary home, retirement accounts, and a vehicle. This does not change the income tiers above.
RCW 70.170.060(5)
300%–350% of the Federal Poverty Level
At least 75% off the bill
Washington law also lets a hospital look at your assets, but it is not required to and many do not. If a hospital does screen assets, state law requires generous exclusions, including your primary home, retirement accounts, and a vehicle. This does not change the income tiers above.
RCW 70.170.060(5)
350%–400% of the Federal Poverty Level
At least 50% off the bill
Washington law also lets a hospital look at your assets, but it is not required to and many do not. If a hospital does screen assets, state law requires generous exclusions, including your primary home, retirement accounts, and a vehicle. This does not change the income tiers above.
RCW 70.170.060(5)
Washington hospitals covered in detail
- Harborview Medical Center — Seattle
- UW Medical Center - Montlake — Seattle
- Swedish First Hill — Seattle
- Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Childrens Hospital — Spokane
- MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital — Tacoma
Every other Washington hospital is in the checker too, including hospitals in Aberdeen, Anacortes, Arlington, Auburn, Bellevue, Bellingham, Brewster, Burien.
If a Washington hospital does not follow the law
Washington complaints are handled by Washington State Department of Health — Charity Care 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 Washington?
Under RCW 70.170.060(5), 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 Washington?
Washington rules still reach higher incomes. 200%–250% of the Federal Poverty Level: at least 75% off the bill. 250%–300% of the Federal Poverty Level: at least 50% off the bill. The protections run up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Which Washington hospitals have to offer financial assistance?
Brightbill tracks 106 hospitals in Washington. The Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 RCW 70.170.060(5), and Washington State Department of Health — Charity Care Program handles complaints when a hospital does not follow it.
Does Brightbill give legal advice about Washington 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: RCW 70.170.060(5) — requires licensed Washington 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.