Financial Assistance for patients from Advocate
Consistent with Advocate Health Care's values of compassion and stewardship, it is Advocate's policy to provide financial assistance to patients in need. Advocate prides itself on assisting those individuals.
Family size | Federal poverty level | 100% discount for income below |
|---|---|---|
1 | $15,960 | $47,880 |
2 | $21,640 | $64,920 |
3 | $27,320 | $81,960 |
4 | $33,000 | $99,000 |
5 | $38,680 | $116,040 |
6 | $44,360 | $133,080 |
7 | $50,040 | $150,120 |
8 | $55,720 | $167,160 |
Add for each additional person | $5,680 | $17,040 |
Please note: You must apply for financial assistance within 240 days of your first billing statement. The guidelines are not intended to discourage anyone from seeking medical care. This is not a health insurance program, and there are limitations to the services that are eligible.
How can we help
Advocate patients are encouraged to seek information from their hospital's financial advocate if they anticipate difficulty paying their portion of the hospital bill. Our advocates make every effort to assist patients who are uninsured, underinsured or face other financial challenges associated with paying for the health care services we provide.
Financial Assistance policy
Advocate's financial assistance program provides discounts to patients (up to 100 percent of hospital charges) who meet financial eligibility guidelines. All patients eligible for financial assistance will not be charged more for medically necessary care than the amounts generally billed to patients who have insurance.
Financial Assistance Scoring (FAS)
The Financial Assistance Scoring (FAS) program is for Illinois residents who are uninsured and received hospital outpatient or medical group services.
FAS is designed to automatically review lower balance outpatient accounts for financial assistance without patients needing to complete an application. Eligibility is based on scoring from a third-party vendor that indicates the likelihood a patient lives in poverty.
Discount programs
Uninsured discount
Uninsured patients will receive a 50% discount off gross charges on all medically necessary services. The uninsured discount is available to all uninsured patients and is applied automatically, so no action is needed by the patient to receive the discount.
Hardship Discount Program
This program is designed to assist Illinois residents who have had a catastrophic medical event resulting in large medical bills and are not eligible for financial assistance based on their income.
Eligibility is based on patients requesting a review and a determination of financial need. Financial need is determined by comparing a patient’s total household income to the total remaining balance:
- Uninsured patients: The patient’s total remaining balance after the uninsured discount is applied.
- Insured patients: The patient’s total remaining balance after payment by all third parties.
To be eligible for a hardship settlement discount, the patient’s total remaining balance must be greater than 10% of the patient’s total household income.
How to apply
You can apply for financial assistance using the application found in your LiveWell account under Billing or by calling 630-645-2400. You can also download an application and mail it in or return it in person.
Downloadable applications
If you are interested in applying for government funding or Advocate financial assistance by mail or in person, complete our application:
Where to submit applications
Submit applications to:
Mail to: Advocate Health Care
P.O. Box 3039
Oak Brook, IL 60522