How to get financial assistance for medical bills: 9 resources
Key highlights
- Medical bills can feel overwhelming, but you have options, even without insurance.
- Ask your doctor about financial aid, and check whether you qualify for Medicaid or other government programs.
- Ask for an itemized bill and look for mistakes before you pay.
- Talk to your hospital about charity care, a lower total, or an interest-free payment plan.
- Look into charities, a medical bill reduction service, or a GoFundMe fundraiser for extra support.
- The sooner you ask for help, the more options you’ll have.
When an unexpected illness or injury strikes you or a loved one, medical expenses can pile up fast. If you’re looking for financial assistance for medical bills, you’re not alone. About 41 percent of adults have debt from medical or dental bills. That’s according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Health Care Debt Survey, published June 16, 2022.
It can be tough to focus on treatment when you don’t have access to the proper care, or you’re trying to deal with enormous medical costs. This guide explores how to pay for unexpected medical bills and the different ways you can seek help.
You can:
- Negotiate your hospital bill
- Reach out to charities that help with hospital bills
- Find out how crowdfunding can reduce medical debt
- Learn about government assistance programs
- Use a medical bill reduction service
How to get financial assistance when you don’t have insurance
About 11.6 percent of adults ages 18 to 64 did not have health insurance in 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Health Interview Survey early release, published May 28, 2026. It can be understandably distressing to figure out how to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses. It’s important to understand your options and get financial assistance for medical bills as soon as possible.
Check your Medicaid eligibility
Your first order of business is to check Healthcare.gov to see if your state has expanded Medicaid. If it hasn’t, call your state Medicaid office to find out if you’re still eligible for some help with paying medical bills.
Consider a patient advocacy service
You might also consider a patient advocacy service. It may be able to help you understand your options if you don’t have insurance.
These services can also help you understand your expenses and negotiate medical bills on your behalf. They may offer assistance with costs you can’t cover alone.
How to get help with medical bills: 9 resources
Getting financial help with medical bills and staying out of debt is possible, even with significant medical expenses. These options can help you manage medical debt and put you on the path to financial relief.
1. Ask your doctor for resources
One of your rights as a patient is to discuss the financial aspects of your treatment. Bringing up finances and billing may encourage your doctor to suggest more affordable alternatives based on your budget and insurance plan.
Doctors and their assistants may be able to steer you toward help. That can include hospital or health group administrators who can connect you with different forms of financial aid.
Your doctor may even have tips on dealing with your insurance company or finding help for low-income families. Every doctor’s office policy is different, so it doesn’t hurt to ask.
2. Ask for an itemized bill and check it for any mistakes
It’s common for hospital bills to contain errors. Those mistakes can lead to unnecessary and higher charges on your bill.
Look for common billing errors
It’s always a good idea to ask for the itemized bill so you don’t pay for services you didn’t receive. Common mistakes include:
- Being charged for a full day in the hospital when you were discharged in the morning.
- Being charged for medication that wasn’t used.
- Being charged for supplies, such as gowns, gloves, or sheets, that were already included in the daily room charge.
Review your explanation of benefits (EOB)
Your EOB should outline the care you received and your healthcare costs. It also shows what your insurance company has covered and any out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Know your rights under the No Surprises Act
The No Surprises Act gives you billing protections for emergency care. It also covers non-emergency care from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. These protections limit how much you can be charged on a surprise medical bill for care your health plan doesn’t cover.
To learn more, visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) No Surprises page.
Double-check charges before setting up a payment plan
Double-check all charges before setting up a payment plan with your hospital or doctor’s office. You may need to contact your healthcare provider first to clear up any incorrect charges.
3. Negotiate your hospital bill
If you’re on a low income or know you can’t afford your medical bill, some hospitals may let you negotiate or request a payment plan. That can make the costs more manageable.
Don’t be shy. Be honest with your hospital’s billing department about what you can and can’t afford to pay, and see if they can lower your charges.
It’s best to share your monthly income and other debts with them. This helps paint a larger picture of your financial situation.
It may help to make an upfront payment first and negotiate a series of monthly payments afterward. This only works if you have the money for a lump sum payment.
4. Use GoFundMe to help pay for medical expenses
Crowdfunding is a popular way to get help paying medical bills. It can also help you pay for expensive medical treatments when insurance coverage falls short or is nonexistent.
Starting an online fundraiser on GoFundMe to raise money for medical bills has many benefits.
Benefits of a medical fundraiser
- An online fundraiser can give you the support of your friends, family, and community during a challenging time.
- Setting up your fundraiser is straightforward, and you can begin raising money within minutes.
- It’s simple to accept donations online.
- It can feel hard, but sharing your fundraiser on social media, from Instagram to Facebook, helps rally your community.
- Medical fundraising can help you reduce your medical debt and cover your expenses.
Choose the right crowdfunding site
If you need help along the way, look for a crowdfunding website that offers customer support day and night. Another key feature is a blog or help center. There, you can learn medical fundraising tips or read a medical crowdfunding guide to make the most of your fundraiser.
Don’t forget to check out easy fundraising ideas before getting started.
5. Apply for government assistance programs
Government resources can be especially useful to assist with medical bills if you meet the eligibility requirements. Here are some places to start.
Medicaid
Call your state Medicaid office to see if you qualify for state or federal help.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
CHIP provides low-cost health coverage for children in families that earn too much for Medicaid but can’t afford private insurance.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
The Health Resources and Services Administration has a number of programs that offer affordable care to people struggling with medical expenses.
Charity care and nonprofit hospital policies
Your medical provider and your state may also offer financial assistance programs, sometimes called charity care. Charity care helps people who are uninsured, or whose insurance doesn’t cover all their expenses, get free or discounted medical care.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) explains the steps to take to access this help. It also explains what to do if debt collectors contact you while you’re seeking financial assistance.
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a nonprofit hospital must have written policies that outline who’s eligible for financial assistance. You can ask to see them to find out if you qualify.
6. Find charities that help with paying medical bills
If you’re still unsure where to turn, some nonprofit organizations are devoted to helping people with specific medical conditions. Search for healthcare-focused charities and nonprofits to see if any apply to you.
These organizations can be especially helpful if you have a chronic condition that requires ongoing assistance with medical bills.
7. Consider opening a Health Savings Account (HSA)
If you have a high deductible health plan (HDHP), you’re likely eligible to open a Health Savings Account. Contributions to an HSA are tax-deductible, and the funds can be used tax-free for qualifying medical expenses. That can help you manage out-of-pocket costs and save money.
An HSA helps most when you plan ahead. If you’re facing a bill today, it may not solve it, but it can help with future costs.
8. Ask your hospital for a payment plan
Many hospitals and clinics offer payment plans that let you pay off your medical bills in installments over time. These plans can often be interest-free. That can be more affordable than paying with a credit card, which may charge varying interest and leave you paying more over time.
Even if you do reduce your medical debt, it still needs to be paid. Unpaid debt can lead to extra charges through late fees, interest, lower credit scores, and pursuit from debt collection agencies.
In July 2025, a federal court struck down the CFPB rule that would have kept medical debt off credit reports. Some states have their own protections, so ask your hospital’s billing office and check your state’s rules.
Asking your hospital’s billing department if they offer a payment plan is a good way to start managing any medical debt.
9. Use a medical bill reduction service
Medical billing issues can be complex and frustrating to deal with, but medical bill assistance is available. A medical bill reduction service, such as Emry Health, offers a tech portal and expert support to help patients with their bills. Emry’s team can:
- Check for billing errors to ensure your charges are accurate.
- Determine if you qualify for a $0 or discounted hospital bill.
- Negotiate with providers to lower your bill or set up a manageable payment plan.
Still don’t know how to pay medical bills? We want to help
Thousands of people turn to GoFundMe every day to raise the funds they need. Whether you’re looking for financial assistance for medical bills right now or you’re anticipating expensive treatments in the future, GoFundMe can help ease that financial burden.
Are you ready to take the next step? Start a fundraiser and find tools to help you reach your goal.
Frequently asked questions
Some help doesn’t have to be repaid, like charity care, government programs, and charities that help with specific conditions. What you can get depends on your income and whether you qualify.
If you’re wondering how to pay medical bills you can’t afford, start by asking for an itemized bill and checking it for errors. Then ask about financial assistance, a payment plan, or lowering the total.
Unpaid bills can lead to late fees, collections, and lower credit scores. Reach out to your billing office early, because many hospitals will work with you.
Yes, loans are an option, but compare interest rates first. Ask about an interest-free payment plan before you borrow.