Free hospital care in West Virginia — Charity Care for uninsured immigrants

FREE or low-cost hospital care in West Virginia

West Virginia at a glance

West Virginia is home to about 30,515 foreign-born residents (1.7% of the state’s 1,784,462 people) and 36,125 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (2.0%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2023 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in West Virginia regardless of immigration status unless noted.

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

Your LEGAL rights in West Virginia

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 West Virginia) 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 West Virginia offer:

• 0-200% FPL ($30,120 individual 2024): FREE (100% discount)
• 200-400% FPL ($60,240 individual): 50-75% discount
• 400-600% FPL ($90,360 individual): 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

• Minimum 180 days after original bill to apply (federal mandate)
• Some hospitals extend to 240 days or more
• If your bill is already in collections, you can STILL apply

Public / safety net hospitals in West Virginia

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 West Virginia

If no emergency (routine care)

• Medicaid (if eligible): /benefits/medicaid/west-virginia/
• CHIP for your kids: /benefits/chip/west-virginia/
• Marketplace plans (healthcare.gov) — even DACA may be eligible (2024 change)
• 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

• National Center for Medical Legal Partnership
• Dollar For — organization helping with Charity Care applications FREE
• Patient Advocate Foundation — patient support with bills
• NAFC Free Clinics — directory of free clinics in West Virginia

Related information

• Medicaid in West Virginia
• CHIP in West Virginia
• Community Health Centers in West Virginia
• SNAP in West Virginia
• Public Charge Rule

Last verified: 2026-05-25.

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

Related procedural information

• Federal benefits eligibility by immigration status — who qualifies for what
• Find legal aid in your state — public-benefits appeals
• ITIN for tax-funded benefits — eligibility requires SSN or ITIN
• Consulate of your country — many offer financial-assistance referrals
• Know Your Rights — public-benefits enrollment — agency confidentiality limits