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WA Hospital Charity Care (RCW 70.170.060)
WA Department of Health
Charity care is a Washington state mandate (RCW 70.170.060 as amended by Substitute House Bill 1616 in 2022) that requires every licensed hospital in the state to provide full or partial write-offs of hospital bills for low- and middle-income patients. The rule applies to inpatient stays, emergency room visits, and many outpatient services. Full write-off (100%) for households at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. Partial discount (75% off) for 301-350% FPL. Partial discount (50% off) for 351-400% FPL. Larger hospitals (Group 1 and 2 under the state law, the large health-system hospitals and the highest-bed-count hospitals) must use these statewide thresholds. Smaller hospitals may apply somewhat different thresholds set by DOH. Patients can apply at the time of service, after receiving the bill, or up to two years after the date of service if they were not screened.
谁符合资格
Any Washington resident (and out-of-state patients receiving care at a WA hospital) whose household income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. Income is verified through pay stubs, tax returns, or a signed declaration of income when documents are unavailable. A hospital may count assets only if it has published an asset policy. When it does, the law protects the home, retirement accounts other than 401(k)s, one vehicle (a second if needed for work or medical care), prepaid burial, life insurance with face value under $10,000, and the first $5,000 in cash for one person or $8,000 for a couple. Hospitals must screen the patient before sending the bill to collections.
包含哪些内容
Full write-off of hospital charges at 300% FPL and below. 75% discount at 301-350% FPL. 50% discount at 351-400% FPL. Past bills can be reapplied for retroactively up to two years after the date of service. Hospitals are barred from collecting amounts that would have been charity-care-discounted.
费用
Free to apply. The bill itself is the discount.
怎么申请
Call the billing office of the hospital that issued the bill and ask for the charity care application. By state law the hospital must give you the form, screen you for eligibility before any collection action, and accept a signed declaration of income if you cannot produce documents. The application may be called Financial Assistance, Hospital Discount, or Charity Care depending on the hospital. Apply before paying anything if possible.
来源 app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=70.170.060