Advocate Health Care
Charity/Financial Assistance Guidelines

Consistent with Advocate Health Care’s values of compassion and stewardship, it is Advocate’s policy to provide charity assistance to patients in need. Advocate prides itself on assisting those individuals.

Advocate patients are encouraged to communicate with their hospital’s financial counselor if they anticipate difficulty paying their portion of the hospital bill. Our counselors make every effort to help patients who are uninsured or face other financial challenges that may prevent them from paying for the health care services we provide. Counselors may assist patients in applying for a government-funded program (such as Illinois Medicaid, Kid Care, Family Care or crime victim funds), setting up an extended payment plan or applying for Advocate charity assistance.

Advocate’s charity assistance program provides discounts (up to 100 percent of hospital charges) to patients who meet financial eligibility guidelines, which include families with incomes up to four times the federal poverty level.

A key provision of charity assistance requires the cooperation of the patient in providing health insurance information, applying for available government programs, completing an Advocate charity assistance application, and providing any requested supporting documentation. Given the sensitive nature of these requests, all communications with the patient or family members will be handled in strict confidence and in a compassionate manner.

If you are interested in applying for government funding or Advocate charity assistance, please click on the hospital; Bethany, Christ, Good Samaritan, Good Shepherd, Illinois Masonic, Lutheran General, South Suburban, or Trinity, where you received care and follow the instructions listed. You may also obtain a charity assistance application at the cashier office in the hospital lobby.

Advocate’s provision of charity is voluntary and discretionary and nothing in the web page or the process is intended to create a contract. The availability of charity assistance is dependent on financial viability and the condition of the hospital at the time of the determination.

To learn more about the contributions Advocate makes in our communities including charity and other uncompensated care, click here.

To access the informational website for the Cristiani et al v. Advocate Health Care Network Class Action Settlement, click here.