Where to Get Assistance with Medical Bills

If you are facing high medical bills and are unable to pay for the full costs of medical care for yourself or a loved one, there is assistance available to help you. Finding financial assistance for medical bills is not a subject most individuals know much about, but with some careful research and helpful tips from experts, you can find relief from high medical bills and get back on your feet again. Learn where to get assistance with medical bills and pursue the avenues that make the most sense to you.

Your Medical Facility

While it is not widely advertised, most medical facilities maintain a percentage of care expenses that they anticipate will remain unpaid due to patients' lack of financial means. Often if you do a bit of searching you can find information about the debt forgiveness or settlement program online on the facility's website, or you can call the financial office and inquire about debt settlement or forgiveness programs. Sometimes private or state-run medical facilities also have scholarship or subsidy programs to help patients who can demonstrate financial need or inability to pay.

Your 401K or IRA

If you have a 401k or IRA (individual retirement account), you are allowed legally to withdraw funds from it without penalty if your medical bills exceed 7.5 percent of your annual salary over and above anything that may be covered by your insurance plan. Call your plan administrator or company human resources department to verify the protocol for withdrawing funds to pay for medical bills.

Government Aid

The DHHS, or Department of Health and Human Services, maintains a "Families and Children" program to assist low-income families with the costs of paying for medical care. There are also several other government agencies that offer assistance for children and families who have high medical bills and can demonstrate financial need. These agencies include the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Hill-Burton Facilities, and Insure Kids Now.

Private Foundations and Organizations

If you have non-profit or faith-based organizations in your community, it can pay to make a phone call to find out what services are offered for coverage of un-payable medical bills. Many private foundations and organizations offer need-based financial aid and bill pay assistance to local families. You will likely be required to come in and fill out an application and show proof of financial need. Medical charities such as the Patient Advocate Foundation also offer aid to pay medical bills.

State Aid

Contact your state's health department to find out what types of state-run and -funded programs may be available to help with assistance paying medical bills. States are responsible for administering low-income federal funds as well as their own state funds to low-income families, and may offer low-income or need-based health care programs as well as assistance with bill payment.

Indigent Hospitals and Facilities

It is common practice for at least one major hospital or facility in most major cities to take patients regardless of means to pay. Find out which facilities and hospitals in your area take indigent patients and apply there for your health care needs.