Fighting Medical Bills in Pennsylvania: Resources and Rights

Pennsylvania is home to major nonprofit hospital systems including UPMC, Geisinger, and Penn Medicine. UPMC, the largest system in the state, provides free care for patients at or below 200% FPL and discounts for those between 200% and 400% FPL. UPMC also performs presumptive eligibility screening.

Geisinger, another major Pennsylvania nonprofit, offers similar financial assistance with free care below 200% FPL and sliding-scale discounts to 400% FPL. Geisinger also has a catastrophic medical expense policy for patients with qualifying high bills, regardless of income level.

Pennsylvania does not have state-level charity care requirements beyond the federal 501(r) standards, but the state's large nonprofit hospital sector means that most patients have access to generous financial assistance programs. Pennsylvania also participates in the Medical Assistance (Medicaid) program with relatively broad eligibility.

If you received care at a Pennsylvania hospital, check the facility's nonprofit status and apply for financial assistance if eligible. BillDelete generates customized documents that reference the specific policies of UPMC, Geisinger, and other Pennsylvania hospital systems.