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Frequently asked questions about financial assistance programs
What is financial assistance (charity care)?
Financial assistance programs – sometimes called “charity care” – are hospital-run programs that offer discounts or complete forgiveness of hospital bills for medically necessary healthcare. Depending on the program, financial assistance can cover both unpaid bills from previous medical care and healthcare bills going forward.
Financial assistance programs are seriously underutilized. A survey by WHP found that, among Washtenaw County residents with medical debt who would be eligible for a financial assistance program, only 7% reported using financial assistance at the time they received the healthcare that led to debt. With changes to Medicaid eligibility starting in 2027 and the rising costs of other health insurance plans, financial assistance programs can be a great way to help cover healthcare costs.
Which healthcare systems offer financial assistance?
All non-profit hospitals are required by the federal government to offer a financial assistance program. For-profit health systems may also offer a financial assistance program. In Washtenaw County, both the University of Michigan Health System (Michigan Medicine) and Trinity Health offer financial assistance.
How can financial assistance be applied?
Financial assistance will not be approved in all situations. Common costs that are covered by financial assistance include:
- Costs that employer-based, private, or other insurance don’t cover, including copays, deductibles, coinsurance, etc.
- Costs associated with medical care not covered by health insurance
- All costs associated with medical care during temporary periods of uninsurance
- Prescription costs (sometimes)
Financial assistance programs will not usually cover the costs of care for ongoing and prolonged periods where you do not have insurance. They should cover periods when you have lost coverage but have not yet enrolled in another plan.
When can you apply for financial assistance?
Often, you can apply for a financial assistance program before or after receiving care. Programs vary in how old a bill may be for financial assistance to cover it. At Michigan Medicine and Trinity Health, you must either have a balance on your account from receiving care or have a future appointment scheduled to be approved for financial assistance. At Trinity, services must have been received within the past 8 months for financial assistance to be applied.
Who qualifies for financial assistance?
Each hospital system sets its own eligibility criteria for financial assistance, often based on income, insurance status, assets, and other factors. You can find information about eligibility by visiting your healthcare system’s website.
How do I enroll in a Financial Assistance Program?
Each health system will have its own application process to enroll in financial assistance; you can find information on this process by visiting their website. In this blog post, we will walk you through the eligibility criteria and application requirements for the financial assistance programs at Michigan Medicine and Trinity Health.
The Washtenaw Health Project can help you determine if you are eligible for charity care and help you apply! Make an appointment by calling 734-544-3030 or emailing us at whp@washtenaw.org.
Michigan Medicine MSupport
MSupport is Michigan Medicine’s financial assistance program. It can help cover the cost of care for people who have a gap in their insurance coverage (are temporarily uninsured), who have insurance but cannot afford their out-of-pocket costs, or who are receiving necessary services that are not covered by their insurance. If you are approved for MSupport, all balances on your account will be 100% forgiven, regardless of how old they are. And, for 12 months going forward from the date of program approval, all balances on your account will be 100% forgiven – you should not need to pay any bills for medically necessary care through Michigan Medicine during this time. At the end of the 12 months, you will need to reapply for MSupport.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Household income is at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
- No more than $10,000 in checking and savings accounts.
- No more than $100,000 across all retirement accounts.
- Resident of Michigan.
How do I apply?
Step 1: Complete a Financial Assistance Application
An MSupport Application can be downloaded in multiple languages from the MSupport website. The application will ask for financial and household information. You will submit this completed document (make sure to initial and sign it!) along with supporting documentation.
Step 2: Collect Required Documents
- Proof of income documents:
- Most recent pay stubs with year-to-date earnings from all jobs for each member of the household
- Proof of other income (social security, child support, alimony, etc.)
- Tax documents:
- Federal income tax return for the most recent tax year (Form 1040)
- Wage and tax statements (Form W-2) and/or miscellaneous income forms (Form 1099)
- Current bank statement for checking/savings accounts
- Recent statements from any retirement accounts (IRA, 401K, pension, etc.)
- Proof of Michigan residence (driver’s license, state or military ID, Washtenaw County ID, etc.)
Step 3: Submit Application and Documents
The easiest way to submit your MSupport application is online through your MyUofMHealth Portal. From the menu, select “Financial Assistance”. You can then upload your completed application and supporting documentation, and submit the application.
You may also email your completed application and supporting documentation to RVC-Msupport-Coordinators@med.umich.edu or mail them to the address listed on the application.
If you have questions regarding MSupport, you may speak with a financial counselor by calling 734-615-0863.
The Washtenaw Health Project can help you apply for MSupport or other charity care programs. Make an appointment by calling 734-544-3030 or emailing us at whp@washtenaw.org.
Trinity Health
Trinity Health has a Financial Assistance Program to help cover the cost of care for people who have a gap in their insurance coverage (are temporarily uninsured), who have insurance but cannot afford their out-of-pocket costs, or who are receiving necessary services that are not covered by their insurance. The amount of assistance a person receives depends on their income and household size: those at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are eligible to have medical bills fully forgiven, while those between 200% – 400% are eligible for around a 60-80% reduction in cost, depending on the hospital.
Financial assistance will be applied to the balance on your account for services received in the past 8 months. It will also be applied for 6 months going forward from the date of program approval. At the end of the 6 months, you will need to reapply for the program.
Eligibility Criteria: Household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) (at or below 200% for a full discount).
How Do I Apply?
Step 1: Complete a Financial Assistance Application
An application for financial assistance can be downloaded in English and multiple other languages from the Trinity Health Financial Assistance webpage. The application will ask for patient, financial, and household information. You will submit this document along with supporting documentation if you are submitting your application by mail.
Step 2: Collect Required Documents
- Proof of income documents:
- Documents showing past one month of gross income
- Past two months of bank statements (including an explanation for any recurring deposits)
- Proof of other income (social security, child support, alimony, etc.)
- Tax documents:
- Federal income tax return for the most recent tax year (Form 1040)
- Wage and tax statements (Form W-2) and/or miscellaneous income forms (Form 1099)
- Health insurance card (if applicable)
- Documentation of residence (driver’s license, state or military ID, lawful permanent resident card, work visa, Washtenaw County ID, etc.).
Step 3: Submit Application and Documents
The easiest way to submit your application for financial assistance is online through your TrinityHealth MyChart. From the menu, select “Financial Assistance”. You can then upload your proof of income documentation and photo ID, and submit the application. In Michigan, you do not need to submit anything under “consent documents”.
You may also mail your completed application (printed from the Trinity Health website) and supporting documentation to the address listed on the application.
If you have questions regarding Trinity Health financial assistance, you may speak with a financial counselor by calling 800-494-5797.
The Washtenaw Health Project can help you apply for Trinity Health’s financial assistance program or other charity care programs. Make an appointment by calling 734-544-3030 or emailing us at whp@washtenaw.org.
Helpful tips and tricks for financial assistance
- When in doubt, apply! It is always worth applying for financial assistance from Michigan Medicine or Trinity Health if you have any type of gap in insurance coverage.
- Follow up if you’re denied! If you are denied assistance, it’s worth following up with a financial counselor to determine why and provide additional information if needed.
- Write a letter! You can write a letter to submit with your application explaining your need for financial assistance and any temporary periods where you are uninsured. This may help you to get approved!
- Remember to reapply! Financial assistance programs likely will not notify you that your financial assistance is ending. Set yourself a reminder to reapply!
At the Washtenaw Health Project, we’re here to help! Make an appointment by calling 734-544-3030 or emailing us at whp@washtenaw.org.
Want to know more? Check out these resources!
Medical Debt Part 1: I have a medical bill I can’t pay. What do I do?
Information on Michigan Medicine MSupport (financial assistance program).
Information on Trinity Health’s financial assistance program.
General information about financial assistance programs.
In-depth information on charity care programs and how they work.
A starter pack of information and guidance about navigating medical debt.