Getting Help Paying Hospital Bills in Cincinnati, Ohio
There are three ways in Cincinnati to help take care of hospital bills you cannot afford.
Hospital Care Assurance Program
The Hospital Care Assurance Program allows Ohio residents with family income below 100% of the federal poverty level to receive hospital level services at most Ohio hospitals for free. Hospital level services include most medically necessary inpatient and outpatient services provided by and charged by a hospital. This does not include physician services, outpatient prescription medications, organ transplants and any service that is provided and charged by someone other than the hospital (e.g. anesthesiologist, radiologist, etc.).
Each hospital has its own application form for the Hospital Care Assurance Program. You can obtain the application form by contacting hospital billing departments.
100% Federal Poverty Level
| Family Size | Annual Income | Monthly Income | Hourly Wage |
| 1 | $10,400 | $867 | $5.15 |
| 2 | $14,000 | $1,167 | $6.93 |
| 3 | $17,600 | $1,467 | $8.71 |
| 4 | $21,200 | $1,767 | $10.50 |
| 5 | $24,800 | $2,067 | $12.28 |
| 6 | $28,400 | $2,367 | $14.06 |
| Add for each additional person |
$3,600 | $300 | $1.78 |
Hamilton County Hospital Levy
The Hamilton County Hospital Levy allows Hamilton County residents with family income below 200% of the federal poverty level to receive medically necessary services at University Hospital and Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati for free or a reduced cost. The Levy covers inpatient and outpatient services, including prescription medications. It does not cover services provided by providers other than these hospitals (e.g. physicians) but many ancillary care providers who provide services at these hospitals also have charity care programs that will make the service more affordable.
Each hospital has its own application form for the Hamilton County Hospital Levy. You can obtain the application form by contacting the hospital billing department.
200% Federal Poverty Level
| Family Size | Annual Income | Monthly Income | Hourly Wage |
| 1 | $20,800 | $1,733 | $10.30 |
| 2 | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13.86 |
| 3 | $35,200 | $2,933 | $17.43 |
| 4 | $42,400 | $3,533 | $20.99 |
| 5 | $49,600 | $4,133 | $24.55 |
| 6 | $56,800 | $4,733 | $28.12 |
| Add for each additional person |
$7,200 | $600 | $3.56 |
Hospital Charity Care Programs
All hospitals in Cincinnati are not-for-profit hospitals. All not-for-profit hospitals offer charity care or financial assistance programs to low-income uninsured or underinsured people. Some hospitals provide discounts to families with income up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Each hospital has its own application form for the Hamilton County Hospital Levy. You can obtain the application form by contacting the hospital billing department.
Contact Information for Local Hospital Billing Departments
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
513-636-0201
Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati
513-585-7600
513 981-6500
(513) 420-5033 or (866) 674-4737, ext. 5033
513-569-6117
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