Sutter Health provides 100% charity care for patients at or below 250% FPL. Sliding scale discounts available for patients between 250-400% FPL. California law requires screening of emergency and urgent care patients for eligibility.
Income Eligibility
100% free care below 250% FPL; sliding scale 250-400% FPL
Tax Exemption Value
$1.9 billion in community benefit (2023)
Charity Care Provided
$450 million 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.
- 1Complete the Financial Assistance Application available from Patient Business Services or online.
- 2Submit with income documentation within 150 days.
- 3Under California AB 774, the hospital must assist patients in applying.
Need help applying?
We generate a personalized charity care application letter with all the right language and legal citations to maximize your chances of approval.
Generate Your Charity Care Application — $49As a patient at Sutter Health, 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