Barton Memorial Hospital
Nonprofit acute care hospital in South Lake Tahoe, CA.
Verified from the hospital's own policy
Barton Memorial Hospital likely gives free care to households with a yearly income up to $39,740 for 1 person, $53,884 for 2, $68,027 for 3, $82,170 for 4, $96,313 for 5 or $110,456 for 6. It likely gives a discount to households with a yearly income up to $63,840 for 1 person, $86,560 for 2, $109,280 for 3, $132,000 for 4, $154,720 for 5 or $177,440 for 6.
The hospital makes the final decision.
| People in household | Free care up to | Discount up to |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $39,740 | $63,840 |
| 2 | $53,884 | $86,560 |
| 3 | $68,027 | $109,280 |
| 4 | $82,170 | $132,000 |
| 5 | $96,313 | $154,720 |
| 6 | $110,456 | $177,440 |
Discount steps
- 0% to 249% of poverty level, you pay $0 (patient share written off, except Medi-Cal share of cost)
- 250% to 299% of poverty level, you pay 75% discount on the AGB (amount generally billed), or the Medicare rate if lower
- 300% to 349% of poverty level, you pay 50% discount on the AGB, or the Medicare rate if lower
- 350% to 400% of poverty level, you pay 25% discount on the AGB, or the Medicare rate if lower
How to apply
- Call (530) 543-6086 and ask for financial assistance.
- Application form
- Financial Assistance Program (FAP) and Discount Policy (version 8, last approved 05/28/2026)
- Bring income tax return (Form 1040) for the patient and spouse or domestic partner, or the two most recent pay stubs from within 6 months before or after the first bill.
- We do not have the deadline yet. Apply as soon as you get a bill, and ask the billing office to pause collections while you apply.
- Languages
- English, Spanish
If you have insurance
Insured patients can also apply for help with deductibles and copays. Keep your insurance. Financial assistance covers bills from this one place only.
What is covered
- Covered
- Medically necessary hospital care billed by Barton Health, plus care from Barton Health Medical Foundation, Tahoe Carson Valley Medical Group, Lake Tahoe Orthopedic Institute, and Tahoe Orthopedic and Sports Medicine providers on the policy's provider list.
- Not covered
- Doctors not on the provider list are not covered, including South Lake Tahoe Anesthesia Group and Sierra Nevada Medical Imaging. Gift shop and cafeteria purchases and care that was not medically necessary are excluded. Medi-Cal share of cost is not covered.
State program in California
Hospital Fair Pricing Act (Health and Safety Code 127400 et seq.)
Every licensed general acute care, acute psychiatric, and special hospital in California must have a charity care policy and a discount payment policy. A patient can ask for help if they are uninsured (self-pay) or have high medical costs, and their family income is not more than 400% of the federal poverty level. Hospitals may choose to help people with higher incomes. With a discount, the bill is capped at about what Medicare or Medi-Cal would pay, whichever is greater. You can apply at any time, even after a bill goes to collections. Immigration status does not affect eligibility.
Income levels in the program are discount up to 400% of poverty level.
Applies to each licensed general acute care hospital, acute psychiatric hospital, and special hospital in California.
Apply to the hospital's financial assistance office. Each hospital's policies and applications are posted on its website and on HCAI's Hospital Fair Pricing Policy Lookup (https://hcai.ca.gov/affordability/hospital-fair-billing-program/hospital-fair-pricing-policy-lookup/).
Is a self-pay patient OR a patient with high medical costs; AND Patient's family income is not more than 400 percent of the federal poverty
Program source, checked 2026-11-10
Hospital Bill Complaint Program (HCAI)
A free state program at HCAI. If a hospital wrongly denied you financial assistance, did not tell you about its programs, or sent you to collections the wrong way, you can file a complaint online (English and Spanish) or by mail (many languages). You must have applied to the hospital first for HCAI to review an eligibility decision. If HCAI finds you paid too much, the hospital must refund you within 30 days. It covers problems on or after January 1, 2022. It does not handle general billing disputes, price transparency, Good Faith Estimates, or bills from emergency room doctors.
Applies to complaints about any hospital covered by the Hospital Fair Pricing Act.
File online through the Patient Complaint Portal (https://hcai.ca.gov/affordability/hospital-fair-billing-program/hospital-bill-complaint-program/should-i-file-a-complaint/) or mail the Patient Complaint Form to Department of Health Care Access and Information, Hospital Bill Complaint Program, 2020 West El Camino Avenue, Suite 1101, Sacramento, CA 95833.
If you believe you were wrongly denied financial assistance, you may file a complaint with the Hospital Bill Complaint Program.
Program source, checked 2026-11-10
Emergency physician discount rule
Most hospital policies cover only the hospital's own bill. Emergency room doctors often bill separately. California law also requires an emergency physician to give discounts to uninsured patients and patients with high medical costs whose family income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. Ask the doctor group's billing office for its discount policy. HCAI's complaint program does not handle emergency doctor bills.
Income levels in the program are discount up to 400% of poverty level.
Applies to emergency physicians who provide emergency medical services in a California hospital that provides emergency care.
Ask the emergency physician group named on the bill for its discount payment policy.
an emergency physician who provides emergency medical services in a hospital that provides emergency care is also required by law to provide discounted care
Program source, checked 2026-11-10
Notes
Free care at or below 249% of the poverty level. From 250% to 400% you get a discount off the amount generally billed, which Barton sets at 29% of full charges for 2026. Insured patients get the same help with what they owe after insurance. Your bill can never be more than Medicare or Medi-Cal would pay, whichever is greater. There is no deadline to apply. Patients with Medi-Cal or other low-income programs may get help without applying. Appeals go in writing to the Revenue Cycle Director, with a written answer within 30 days. The policy defines high medical costs but does not set a separate rule for them. It does not say whether savings or other assets are counted. Customer Service is (530) 543-5930. You can also email financialassistance@bartonhealth.org. Emergency doctors bill through a separate company at (855) 691-9890.
Sources
- Free care level
Patients are eligible for Charity Care if their Family Income is at or less than 249% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
- Discount level
Patients with Family Income over 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) are not eligible for Financial Assistance.
- Discount steps
Family Income between 250% - 299% of FPL: 75% discount on the Amount Generally Billed (AGB).
- Insured patients
Financial Assistance may be granted to patients to assist with patient liability to Barton Health, including Medicare and commercial cost-sharing amounts.
- What is not covered
This includes physicians affiliated with South Lake Tahoe Anesthesia Group and Sierra Nevada Medical Imaging
- Documents
Copies of two (2) most recent pay stubs for applicant and spouse or domestic partner.
- Languages
translated into English, Spanish, as well as any other language that is the primary language of the
- Financial counseling phone
By contacting the hospital's Customer Service department at 530-543-5930 or the Patient Financial Counselor at 530-543-6086
- Deadline
There are not time limits for applying for Financial Assistance
Last checked. 2026-11-10
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