New Jersey State Assistance with Medical Bills

The State of New Jersey runs a charity care program in which those demonstrating economic need, who may be uninsured or under-insured, receive assistance in paying their medical bills for emergencies or acute medical care. Assistance ranges from 20 percent to 100 percent of the medical bills depending on income and other factors.

Eligibility

In order to qualify for charity care, you must not have any type of health insurance or have coverage that pays for only a portion of the bill, and you must be ineligible to qualify for any other medical care coverage such as Medicare or Medicaid. Last, you must meet specific income and asset requirements to demonstrate financial need.

Financial Eligibility

In order to be eligible for 100 percent coverage of medical bills, your income must be greater than 300 percent of the poverty level, which as of April 2010 is $21,660 for a single person or $44,100 for a family of four. If your income is greater than 200 percent but less than or equal to 225 percent, charity care will still pay 20 percent of your bill if you meet the other requirements. Every January the federal government releases new poverty-level guidelines, adjusted for inflation if necessary. Individuals cannot have assets in excess of $7,500, and family assets can not exceed $15,000.

Coverage

Charity care assistance is only eligible for inpatient and outpatient services received in a New Jersey acute care hospital. Services such as physician fees, lab fees, and prescriptions may not be covered.

Applying

You may apply for charity care within one year of the date services are received. You must apply at the hospital in which treatment was received, in the hospital's business office or admissions office. In order to prove financial eligibility, the last tax year's filing and a pay stub, if applicable, may be needed.

Residency

Generally, in order to qualify, you must have been a New Jersey resident at the time of treatment and intend on staying in the state. Non-New Jersey residents who can prove their health or life would have been seriously jeopardized may qualify. You do not have to prove you are a U.S. citizen to receive assistance, but identification will still be required.

Sources:
NJ Department of Health and Senior Services: Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program Fact Sheet
LSNJ Law: Can Charity Care Help Me With My Hospital Bills?