FREE or low-cost hospital care in Washington

Washington at a glance

Washington is home to about 1,206,843 foreign-born residents (15.4% of the state’s 7,816,116 people) and 1,123,614 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (14.4%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in Washington regardless of immigration status unless noted.

If you live in Washington and need medical care but DON’T have insurance and CAN’T pay, there are multiple programs to help.

Hospital charity-care law — Washington
State law?Yes — Charity Care Act (expanded by SHB 1616, 2022) (RCW 70.170.060); covers: all licensed hospitals, in two tiers by size/system
Free careIncome up to 300% FPL — about $99,000/year for a household of 4 (2026 guidelines)
Discounted careUp to 400% FPL — about $132,000/year for a household of 4
What it meansAll Washington hospitals must give free care and discounts based only on income: large-system hospitals give 100% free care up to 300% of the federal poverty level and 50–75% discounts up to 400%; smaller independent hospitals give free care up to 200% and discounts up to 300%. Listed thresholds are the large-system tier; assets cannot be used against collections-protected patients.
Verifyapp.leg.wa.gov · www.atg.wa.gov

State laws verified 2026-06-10. Charity-care laws are actively changing — confirm the current rule with the hospital before making decisions.

EMTALA — Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act

Federal law requires ALL hospitals with emergency rooms to:

  • Examine anyone arriving with emergency
  • Stabilize emergency BEFORE any payment consideration
  • CANNOT ask immigration status before treating
  • CANNOT demand payment before stabilizing

This INCLUDES childbirth. If you arrive in labor, they must treat you.

Nonprofit hospitals and Charity Care (IRS Section 501(r))

Nonprofit hospitals (most in Washington) MUST, by federal law:

  • Have a published financial assistance policy
  • Offer discounts to low-income patients
  • NOT charge more than “amounts generally billed” (AGB) to eligible patients
  • Notify patient about Charity Care BEFORE sending bills to collections

Common Charity Care programs

Income-based sliding scale discounts

Most nonprofit hospitals in Washington offer:

  • 0-200% FPL (up to $31,920 for one person, 2026): FREE (100% discount)
  • 200-400% FPL (up to $63,840 ): 50-75% discount
  • 400-600% FPL (up to $95,760 ): 25-50% discount
  • Above 600% FPL: negotiated price but NO Charity Care

How to apply

  1. Request application at hospital billing department
  2. Simple form — typically 2-4 pages
  3. Documents: income proof (W-2, 1099, paystubs, ITIN tax return), proof of essential expenses (rent, food), family composition
  4. No mandatory SSN — can use ITIN or alternative ID
  5. Applies retroactively — if you receive bill, can apply AFTER treatment

Timeline

  • At least 240 days from the first bill after discharge — the federal 501(r) minimum application window
  • Many hospitals allow even longer
  • If your bill is already in collections, you can STILL apply

Public / safety net hospitals in Washington

Large states have public hospital systems treating everyone regardless of ability to pay:

  • County hospitals
  • Public Hospital Districts
  • Veterans Administration (veterans only)
  • Indian Health Service (Native Americans)

These hospitals typically:

  • Treat ALL, especially uninsured
  • Have sliding fee scales
  • Have interpreters in multiple languages (Spanish included)
  • Connect with social services

Community Health Centers (FQHC)

See: Community Health Centers in Washington

If no emergency (routine care)

  • Medicaid (if eligible): /benefits/medicaid/washington/
  • CHIP for your kids: /benefits/chip/washington/
  • Marketplace plans (healthcare.gov) — note: DACA recipients were briefly eligible under a 2024 rule, but a 2025 federal rule excluded them again
  • FQHC sliding scale (Federally Qualified Health Centers)
  • Free clinics — search in your area
  • Dental/vision services at medical/dental schools (low prices)

What to do if you receive an impossible medical bill

  1. DON’T IGNORE — leads to collections and credit damage
  2. Call hospital and ask for “Financial Assistance Application” or “Charity Care application”
  3. Negotiate — hospitals often accept 10-50% of bill as final payment
  4. Interest-free installments — most offer this
  5. DON’T use credit card to pay hospital bills — loses nonprofit billing protection
  6. Consult pro bono attorney if threatened with garnishment (some hospitals do this illegally)

Resources

Last verified: 2026-06-15.

General information, not medical or legal advice. For specific situations, talk to a Patient Advocate or insurance attorney.