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Medical Help for Low Income Families

Financial assistance is available to individuals and families struggling to pay medical bills. You must qualify for assistance and, in almost all cases, submit an application as well as provide supporting documentation. Program requirements vary, so ask about eligibility before submitting an application.

  1. Medicaid

    • Medicaid is a federal and state run health insurance program. People who are disabled as well as other select individuals and families may qualify to receive Medicaid benefits. Check eligibility by visiting Benefits.gov and BenefitsCheckUp.org or by contacting a county welfare office. Fill out an application and provide evidence of all your sources of income. The Social Security Administration will notify you of your acceptance.

    Hill-Burton Federal Program

    • If you've received medical care at a physician's office or hospital, contact the billing department and ask if you qualify for aid through the Hill-Burton federal program. To qualify, you cannot be a participant in any type of health insurance and must earn less than the poverty income level. If you do not qualify, inquire about discounts of 25 to 70 percent or a payment arrangement.

    Nonprofit Support

    • Medical assistance is available through local charities, ministry groups, community outreach groups, civic organizations and community action agencies. Your state's Department of Health Services may publish a directory of such organizations. As a general rule of thumb, complete an application and provide supporting documentation such as last year's tax returns, recent pay stubs and copies of your medical bills. You may be asked to interview in person or over the phone.

    Medicare

    • Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program. Low income families may be eligible to receive benefits through Low-Income Subsidies (LIS). Several levels of help are available. Eligibility for low-income subsidies is based on income and resources. Contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) or contact Medicare by phone at 800-633-4227. Complete a Medicare benefit application with your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number and home telephone number, along with your financial records. Disclose any pre-existing disabilities that you may have.

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