Financial Assistance
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Financial Assistance Applications
Financial Assistance Application & Instructions (.pdf)
Solicitud para Asistencia Económica y Instruciones (.pdf)
Our Goals
At WakeMed, our goal is to provide outstanding and thoughtful care to all who seek our services. We follow the American Hospital Association's billing and collection principles to:
- Treat all patients equitably and with dignity, respect and compassion.
- Serve the emergency health care needs of everyone, regardless of ability to pay.
- Assist patients who cannot pay for part or all of the care they receive.
- Run a financially responsible organization in order to provide continuous community access for needed medical services.
WakeMed realizes that the cost of health care is a concern for our patients. Any member of our financial staff will be glad to discuss payment arrangements with you or your designated responsible party.
To help you when making decisions, our registration staff can provide you with an estimate of the charges associated with the treatment and services you are expected to receive.
You may also inquire by phone using our Estimate Line at 919-350-7808. Please keep in mind that this is only an estimate. Actual charges may vary, depending on the treatment your physician orders for you. You are encouraged to ask us any questions relating to the services you may receive.
Following treatment you will receive a summary statement of the charges incurred while you were a patient. These charges will only reflect WakeMed's portion of the services. You may receive separate bills from physicians and other providers involved in your care. This summary statement of charges will be followed by additional notices requesting payment of the bill, and outlining your options for doing so.
Do I Qualify for Financial Assistance to Pay My Medical Bills?
WakeMed continues to offer help to patients who:
- Do not qualify for Medicaid or other government health care financial assistance programs
- Meet the program's eligibility criteria (see below)
- Complete and return the application for financial assistance and all supporting documentation to WakeMed within 240 days of the date on the patient liability letter you receive from WakeMed.
Supporting documentation (pay stubs, tax returns, and other documentation requested by WakeMed's Financial Assistance team) must also be included with the application in order for it to qualify as complete.
Eligibility Criteria
Patients who apply for financial assistance to pay for medical bills must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the WakeMed program. Eligibility criteria include:
- Household income below 300 percent of the federal poverty level
- Limited assets (An asset is an automobile, stocks and bonds, a house, etc.)
- The amount of money owed WakeMed and other health care providers
- The cost of monthly medical necessities for health and safety (examples include prescriptions, items needed for wound care, etc.)
WakeMed financial analysts help patients determine their eligibility. Patients must meet all of the above criteria in order to qualify for financial assistance.
How the Federal Poverty Guideline Works
| 250% of Poverty Guidelines | 275% of Poverty Guidelines | 300% of Poverty Guidelines | |
| Family Size | 100% Discount | 90% Discount | 80% Discount |
| 1 | Household income below $37,650.00 | Household income below $41,415.00 | Household income below $45,180.00 |
| 2 | Household income below $51,100.00 | Household income below $56,210.00 | Household income below $61,320.00 |
| 3 | Household income below $64,550.00 | Household income below $71,005.00 | Household income below $77,460.00 |
| 4 | Household income below $78,000.00 | Household income below $85,800.00 | Household income below $93,600.00 |
| 5 | Household income below $91,450.00 | Household income below $100,595.00 | Household income below $109,740.00 |
| 6 | Household income below $104,900.00 | Household income below $115,390.00 | Household income below $125,880.00 |
| 7 | Household income below $118,350.00 | Household income below $130,185.00 | Household income below $142,020.00 |
| 8 | Household income below $131,800.00 | Household income below $144,980.00 | Household income below $158,160.00 |
- For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $13,450, $14,795, and $16,140, respectively, for each additional member.
- The figures provided are based on the federal poverty guidelines published in the Federal Register, which may be updated from time to time.
Example: If two people live in the home, the total household income must be below $61,320.00 in order to qualify for financial assistance with medical bills. If just one person in the home has an income, then we look at that single income as the total household income. If both people have incomes, we add them together to get the total household income.
We Are Here to Help
At WakeMed we are committed to caring for all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay. Please do not let the fear of not being able to pay your medical bills interfere with seeking care at a WakeMed facility for a medical problem. It is proven that many medical issues, if left untreated, can worsen and require a higher level of care, recovery time and cost than if they are treated early.
Help is available. If you would like to discuss financial assistance with your medical bills with a WakeMed Financial Team Member, please call 919-350-8359. If you would like to apply for Financial Assistance and you are a patient who uses WakeMed MyChart, please complete the Financial Assistance Application at the top of this page and click here to submit your request.
Financial & Charity Care Policies
Read WakeMed's Patient Billing Information & Financial Policy English | Spanish
Read WakeMed's Charity Care Policy English | Spanish
Read WakeMed's Charity Care Policy Summary English | Spanish