Providence income limits
| Household size | Free care: yearly income up to 300% | Discounts: yearly income up to 400% |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $47,880 | $63,840 |
| 2 people | $64,920 | $86,560 |
| 3 people | $81,960 | $109,280 |
| 4 people | $99,000 | $132,000 |
| 5 people | $116,040 | $154,720 |
| 6 people | $133,080 | $177,440 |
- Free care
- Up to 300% of the federal poverty guidelines: about $99,000 a year for a family of four in 2026.The policy says: “is at or below 300% of the current FPL guidelines, The patient is determined to be financially indigent and qualifies for financial assistance 100% write-off” (page 9 (Washington, Exhibit B))
- Discounts
- Up to 400% of the guidelines: about $132,000 a year for a family of four.The policy says: “is between 301% and 400% of the current FPL guidelines, The patient is eligible for a discount of 80% from original charges” (page 9 (Washington, Exhibit B))
- Sliding scale
- 301% to 400% gets a discount off original charges that differs by hospital area: Washington 80%, Kadlec in Washington 77%, Montana 80%, Oregon 70%, Southern California 85% and Northern California 87%. The patient may not be charged more than the amount generally billed.
- With insurance
- This Washington policy says patients with insurance may get help too, including with coinsurance, deductibles and copays and with out-of-network charges, if they meet its income rules. (Policy, pages 2 and 9.)
- Savings and assets
- Savings or other assets may count.
- Large bills
- If income is at or below 400% and total medical expenses at Providence hospitals in the prior 12 months are more than 20% of annual family income, a one-time 100% write-off of the amount owed on the application date may apply, with a full application.
How to apply for Providence financial assistance
- Without a full application
- Some patients may be approved without a full application.
- Time to apply
- 240 days after the first bill sent after care for hospital services, and 90 days for clinic services. A later application may be accepted at the hospital’s discretion.The policy says: “The FAP-Eligible Time Period for (i) hospital services is the 240-day period of time; and (ii) clinic services is the 90-day period” (page 6 (Washington))
- How to apply
- Ask for the free Financial Assistance Application at the Providence facility, tell patient financial services staff before you leave the hospital, apply by mail, or apply online at providence.org/financialhelp. Staff may help with the form and with Medicaid screening.
- Differences by state
- Each state has its own version of the policy. In Texas (St. Joseph Health Covenant) free care stops at 200% and there is no discount tier, and in Alaska the discount stops at 350% (87% off at 301% to 350%).
- Also good to know
- New Mexico’s policy was not read. In Washington, assets are not considered for households under 300% of the federal poverty guidelines, except for Medicare patients who do not also have Medicaid.
Common questions about Providence financial assistance
What is the income limit for Providence financial assistance?
Providence’s policy lists free care up to 300% of the federal poverty guidelines and discounts up to 400%. With the 2026 guidelines for the 48 states and Washington, DC, that is for free care, a yearly income up to about $47,880 for one person and $99,000 for a family of four; for discounts, a yearly income up to about $63,840 for one person and $132,000 for a family of four. The policy has differences by state or hospital, so check it for your hospital. Providence decides from its own application; only the hospital can confirm what you may get.
How do I apply for Providence financial assistance?
Ask for the free Financial Assistance Application at the Providence facility, tell patient financial services staff before you leave the hospital, apply by mail, or apply online at providence.org/financialhelp. Staff may help with the form and with Medicaid screening. Time to apply: 240 days after the first bill sent after care for hospital services, and 90 days for clinic services. A later application may be accepted at the hospital’s discretion.
Source
Providence Financial Assistance (Charity Care) Policy, Washington (PSJH RCM 002 WA), 12/1/2025 (Washington policy). Read with AI reading tools on November 1, 2026, and checked by a second one against the same document.
We are not part of Providence. Policies change, and the hospital decides from its own form. If what you read here differs from the current policy, the policy counts.
Ask in writing
The free financial assistance letter asks the hospital for its policy, the application and the plain language summary. Already paid? How applying after you have already paid works. Compare other systems on the hospital list.
Have insurance? See what 38 policies say about patients with insurance.
In Alaska? Find your hospital by name or town (16 Alaska hospitals).
In California? Find your hospital by name or town (363 California hospitals).
In New Mexico? Find your hospital by name or town (39 New Mexico hospitals).
In Oregon? Find your hospital by name or town (60 Oregon hospitals).
In Texas? Find your hospital by name or town (459 Texas hospitals).
In Washington? Find your hospital by name or town (97 Washington hospitals).
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Check the bill itself
Financial assistance may lower what you owe, but it does not look at the charges. Open your bill in MedBillCheckup: it is read on your device, never uploaded, and the free check shows how many things are worth asking the billing office about, and names the first. The full list, with the exact questions to ask, is $6.99 for one bill, or included with Pro at $9.99 a month.
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