Kaiser Permanente provides charity care through its Medical Financial Assistance program. Patients at or below 350% FPL may qualify for 100% charity care. Sliding scale discounts available up to 400% FPL. Kaiser also offers its own insurance plans.
Income Eligibility
100% free care below 350% FPL; discounts up to 400% FPL
Tax Exemption Value
$4.0 billion in community benefit (2023)
Charity Care Provided
$1.1 billion in charity care (2023)
Nonprofit hospitals receive tax exemptions in exchange for providing community benefits including charity care. Under IRS Section 501(r), they are required to have a written financial assistance policy and may not pursue extraordinary collection actions before making reasonable efforts to determine eligibility.
- 1Apply for Medical Financial Assistance through Member Services or the billing department.
- 2Submit the application with income verification documents.
- 3Kaiser proactively screens patients and may grant presumptive eligibility.
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Generate Your Charity Care Application — $49As a patient at Kaiser Permanente, you have the right to:
- Receive a plain-language summary of the hospital's financial assistance policy before being billed
- Apply for financial assistance up to 240 days after your first billing statement
- Not be sent to collections or have liens placed on your property while your application is pending
- Receive emergency care regardless of your ability to pay, under EMTALA federal law
- Request an itemized bill with every charge explained in detail
- Dispute any charge you believe is inaccurate or unfair
- Be charged no more than the amounts generally billed to insured patients if you qualify for financial assistance
- Have your financial assistance application reviewed within a reasonable time frame