Cancel ItHow to apply for hospital charity care (financial assistance)
Nonprofit US hospitals must have a written financial assistance policy. How to find it, check if you qualify, and apply, with official IRS and CMS sources.
Medical bills: free help for US patients
Plain-English guides built from official IRS, CMS and CFPB pages, with free letter templates. Last checked 2026-10-25.
Not legal or financial advice. This is general information for US patients, summarized from the official sources listed below. Rules vary by state and by situation, and they change. For advice about your case, talk to a lawyer, your state's consumer assistance program, or the official help lines named here. Last checked: 2026-10-25.
How to request an itemized medical bill and spot errors
Ask for a detailed, itemized bill, compare it with your records and EOB, and check for duplicate or undocumented charges. Based on CMS guidance.
Your rights under the No Surprises Act and good faith estimates
Federal protections against surprise out-of-network bills, your right to a good faith estimate if uninsured or self-pay, and the $400 dispute process.
What to do when a medical bill goes to collections
Your rights when a medical bill is in collections: dispute in writing, check credit reports, the 2025 CFPB rule status, and where to complain.
Free medical bill letter templates (itemized bill, dispute, financial assistance)
Free fill-in letters for US patients: request an itemized bill, dispute a medical bill, and ask for hospital financial assistance.
Free help with medical bills: nonprofits and state programs
Free and official places to get help with US medical bills: Dollar For, Undue Medical Debt, state Consumer Assistance Programs, the No Surprises Help Desk, CFPB and state attorneys general.