5 Steps to Unlock Grants That Pay Medical Bills

Medical debt can feel impossible to escape, but there are real programs that may help. Some can reduce or erase hospital bills. Others can help with prescriptions, travel for treatment, medical equipment, or old medical debt.

The key is knowing where to look and applying as soon as possible.

Step 1: Apply for Hospital Charity Care

If your bill came from a nonprofit hospital, ask about charity care or financial assistance. Nonprofit hospitals are required to have written financial assistance policies, but they do not always explain them clearly. This is way easier than getting grants that pay medical bills, since those grants can be so competitive.

Call the billing department and ask something like, “Do you have a charity care or financial assistance policy for low income patients?”

Depending on their programs, you may qualify for:

• Full bill forgiveness
• A partial discount
• A payment plan with no interest
• Help even if you have insurance

If this feels overwhelming, you may be able to get assistance with this process from Dollar For, a nonprofit that helps patients apply for hospital charity care.

Step 2: Apply for Government Programs

The next step is to apply for any government programs that may be able to help cover the expenses.

• Medicaid may help with doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, mental health care and more. Some states may also offer retroactive coverage for recent medical bills, but the rules vary by state. Apply with your state’s Medicaid office.
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) may be available for children whose parents earn too much for Medicaid. Apply with your state’s Medicaid office.
• Medicare has Savings Programs and other components that may be able to help cover your premiums and other costs. Medicare can be confusing, so we recommend reaching out to our partner Chapter at (417) 319-2139.

Step 3: Look for Patient Assistance Programs

Many drug manufacturers and nonprofits offer patient assistance programs. These funds can often help with the cost of treatment, medications or even transportation to appointments.

These programs have specific funds for each condition. Some helpful places to look for open funds are:

• NeedyMeds
• RxAssist
• HealthWell Foundation
• The Assistance Fund
• PAN Foundation
• Good Days
• NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders)

These programs are often based on your diagnosis, medication, income and insurance status.

Step 4: Get Free Medical Equipment

If you need a wheelchair, walker, crutches, shower chair or hospital bed, look for a medical loan closet near you. These programs lend or give away durable medical equipment.

Lions Clubs may also help with eyeglasses, hearing aids and vision care in some areas.

Step 5: Connect with Medical Grants

There are many foundations, organizations and other nonprofits that offer grants that can pay medical bills. However, these tend to be specific to certain diagnoses or careers.

• Look for a Foundation: Many charities help people with specific conditions, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis or rare diseases. Search your diagnosis plus “financial assistance” or “foundation.”
• Search for a Hardship Grant: Check our hardship grants list for more options.

Some nonprofits also help workers in specific industries, such as restaurant workers, truckers, musicians and entertainment workers. We are including all the programs we can find in the table below.

Relief Recap

Medical debt is stressful, but you may have more options than you realize. Start with the hospital’s charity care program, apply for Medicaid or Medicare savings help if you qualify, search for prescription assistance, and look for diagnosis-specific grants. If all else fails, read our full guide on how to get help with medical bills.