Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago

Nonprofit acute care hospital in Chicago, IL.

Verified from the hospital's own policy

Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago likely gives free care to households with a yearly income up to $39,900 for 1 person, $54,100 for 2, $68,300 for 3, $82,500 for 4, $96,700 for 5 or $110,900 for 6. It likely gives a discount to households with a yearly income up to $95,760 for 1 person, $129,840 for 2, $163,920 for 3, $198,000 for 4, $232,080 for 5 or $266,160 for 6.

The hospital makes the final decision.

Discount steps

• 0% to 250% of poverty level, you pay nothing (100% discount)
• 251% to 300% of poverty level, you pay 5% of the bill (95% discount)
• 301% to 400% of poverty level, you pay 10% of the bill (90% discount)
• 401% to 600% of poverty level, you pay 15% of the bill (85% discount), uninsured patients only

How to apply

1. Call 833-272-7585 and ask for financial assistance.
2. Application form
3. Financial Assistance Policy, Alexian Brothers Health System d/b/a Ascension Illinois affiliates
4. Plain language summary
5. Bring proof of income (at least one, for example 2 most recent pay stubs, latest tax return, Social Security or pension award letter, bank statements from the last 3 months, or unemployment benefits), proof of income for a spouse or partner you have lived with for 6 months or longer, bills for outstanding medical and pharmacy costs.
6. The policy gives 240 days to apply. Ask the billing office which date the count starts from.

Residency

Illinois resident

Savings and property

The policy counts savings or property, not only income.

Very large bills

Uninsured patients on the sliding scale pay no more than 20% of family income over 12 months. Above 600% of poverty level (400% if insured), help is possible if total medical debt equals or exceeds household income

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

Emergency and other medically necessary care, including care from doctors the hospital employs and behavioral health. Scheduled future care must be approved by the hospital's chief medical officer to count as medically necessary.

Not covered

Care that is not emergency or medically necessary is not covered. Some doctors who work in the hospital are not covered, so check the list of covered providers. If your insurance treats the hospital as out of network, help may be reduced or denied.

State program in Illinois

Notes

Free care up to 250% of the poverty level. Uninsured patients get 85% to 95% off up to 600%. Insured patients get 90% to 95% off their share up to 400%. Apply within 240 days of the first bill after discharge to get the full benefit. You can still apply later, but then help only covers what you have not paid yet. Uninsured patients must work with a financial counselor to apply for Medicaid or other programs first. Ascension may also approve help without an application by checking public records. A denial can be appealed within 14 days. Patients who do not qualify still get an uninsured discount and may get a prompt pay discount. People enrolled in SNAP, WIC, LIHEAP, the Illinois free lunch program and some other programs are presumed eligible for free care. Assets above 600% of your poverty level amount can make you ineligible. The billing office says help applies to hospital charges, and separate doctor bills are handled separately.

Sources

• Free care level

  Patients with income less than or equal to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level income ("FPL"), will be eligible for 100% discount

• Discount level

  uninsured Patients with incomes above 250% of the FPL but not exceeding 600% of the FPL, will receive a sliding scale discount

• Discount level

  Patients with insurance and with incomes above 250% of the FPL but not exceeding 400% of the FPL, will receive a sliding scale discount

• Discount steps

  401% - 600% FPL 85%

• Insured patients

  on the portion of the charges in which the Patient is responsible following payment by an insurer, if any

• Asset test

  if such Patient is deemed to have sufficient assets to pay pursuant to an "Asset Test."

• Residency

  "Community" means the State of Illinois.

• Very large bills

  collections over 12-month period shall be additionally capped at 20% of the patient's family income.

• Very large bills

  A Patient will be eligible for financial assistance pursuant to the Means Test if the Patient has excessive total medical debt

• Deadline

  submits a financial assistance application (an "Application") on or prior to the 240th day after the Patient's first discharge bill

• Documents

  Copies of 2 most recent paystubs from employer

• Covered facility

  Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago

Last checked. 2026-11-11