# South County Hospital Inc

Hospital in Wakefield, RI. Verified from the hospital's own policy and the state program, Rhode Island statewide hospital charity care standard (216-RICR-40-10-23, section 23.14).

South County Hospital Inc likely gives free care to households with a yearly income up to $31,920 for 1 person, $43,280 for 2, $54,640 for 3, $66,000 for 4, $77,360 for 5 or $88,720 for 6. It likely gives a discount to households with a yearly income up to $47,880 for 1 person, $64,920 for 2, $81,960 for 3, $99,000 for 4, $116,040 for 5 or $133,080 for 6.

The hospital makes the final decision.

| Household size | Free care if yearly income is up to | Discount if yearly income is up to |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $31,920 | $47,880 |
| 2 | $43,280 | $64,920 |
| 3 | $54,640 | $81,960 |
| 4 | $66,000 | $99,000 |
| 5 | $77,360 | $116,040 |
| 6 | $88,720 | $133,080 |

Dollar amounts use the 2026 federal poverty guidelines.

## How to apply

- Call (401) 788-1383 and ask for financial assistance.
- [Application form](https://stdidsouthcountyhealprod.blob.core.windows.net/southcountyhealth/documents/Application-for-Hospital-Financial-Aid.pdf)
- [Financial Assistance Program (Charity Care), Policy CC 1.0](https://stdidsouthcountyhealprod.blob.core.windows.net/southcountyhealth/documents/Financial-Assistance-For-Website-rev-2024.pdf)
- [Plain language summary](https://stdidsouthcountyhealprod.blob.core.windows.net/southcountyhealth/documents/Financial-Assistance-Program_PlainLanguage2026.pdf)
- The policy gives 240 days to apply. Ask the billing office which date the count starts from.
- Bring Rhode Island license, other government ID with address, or a utility bill, list of dependents, current federal tax return (or IRS letter 1722 if you did not file), three consecutive months of paychecks, three consecutive months of bank statements.
- Residency. Rhode Island resident, regardless of citizenship or immigration status
- Savings and property. The policy counts savings or property, not only income.
- Very large bills. Case-by-case exceptions for undue financial hardship above the income limit, approved by the CFO
- Languages. English, Spanish, Italian, French

## If you have insurance

This policy does not cover bills for patients who have insurance.
Keep your insurance. Financial assistance covers bills from this one place only.

## What is covered

Covered. Medically necessary and emergency inpatient and outpatient services billed by South County Hospital that Rhode Island Medicaid covers.

Not covered. Adapt Health Surgical Supply, Emergency Physician Associates of New England (Team Health), Rhode Island Medical Imaging, and anesthesiology charges. Elective care, dental, vision, hearing aids and care from providers not employed by South County Health are excluded.

## State program in Rhode Island

### Rhode Island statewide hospital charity care standard (216-RICR-40-10-23, section 23.14)

Every licensed Rhode Island hospital must give free care to uninsured, low-income Rhode Island residents up to 200% of the poverty level, and a sliding-scale discount from 200% to 300%. Each hospital sets its own discount sizes. A hospital may add an asset limit. Hospitals may give more help than this, never less. It is a rule hospitals must follow. There is no state fund to apply to.

Income levels in the program are free up to 200%, discount up to 300% of poverty level.

Applies to Every licensed hospital in Rhode Island, as a condition of its license. Covers uninsured, low-income Rhode Island residents who cannot get state, federal or employer insurance, for essential inpatient and outpatient services.

How to apply. Apply to the hospital itself on the state's standard Application for Hospital Financial-Aid. The hospital must decide within 14 days of a complete application and tell you in writing. If denied, ask for the hospital's written appeal process.

> provide full charity care (i.e., a 100% discount) to patients/guarantors whose annual income is up to and including 200% of the Federal Poverty Levels

Source https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/216-40-10-23, checked 2026-11-10

## Notes

South County's policy, plain-language summary and web page describe free care up to 200% of the poverty level and no partial discount for 201% to 300%. Rhode Island's rule requires a sliding-scale discount in that range, so ask the hospital about it if your income is between 200% and 300%. Deductibles and coinsurance for insured patients are only covered if approved on appeal. Approval lasts six months and reaches back one year for unpaid bills. Decision within 30 days. The income table on the web page (for example $24,120 for one person) is older than the 2026 plain-language summary ($31,920 for one person); use the summary. Uninsured patients get an uninsured discount even without applying. Policy last reviewed 04/01/2024.

## Sources

- Free care level https://stdidsouthcountyhealprod.blob.core.windows.net/southcountyhealth/documents/Financial-Assistance-For-Website-rev-2024.pdf
  > Financial Assistance will be given to patients with gross family income equal to or below 200% of the FPL, adjusted for family size
- Insured patients https://stdidsouthcountyhealprod.blob.core.windows.net/southcountyhealth/documents/Financial-Assistance-For-Website-rev-2024.pdf
  > Deductibles and coinsurance associated with medically necessary services provided to patients as defined by their insurers unless otherwise approved via the appeal process
- Asset test https://www.southcountyhealth.org/patients-visitors/patient-resources-tools/financial-assistance
  > The current asset protection threshold is $9,659.00 for singles and $14,488.00 for family units.
- Residency https://stdidsouthcountyhealprod.blob.core.windows.net/southcountyhealth/documents/Financial-Assistance-Program_PlainLanguage2026.pdf
  > Individual whose primary permanent residence is within the state of Rhode Island, regardless of citizenship or immigration status.
- Very large bills https://stdidsouthcountyhealprod.blob.core.windows.net/southcountyhealth/documents/Financial-Assistance-For-Website-rev-2024.pdf
  > Individual consideration may be provided to a patient that can demonstrate undue financial hardship, even though gross income may exceed the FPL.
- Deadline https://stdidsouthcountyhealprod.blob.core.windows.net/southcountyhealth/documents/Financial-Assistance-For-Website-rev-2024.pdf
  > Applicants must file their applications for financial assistance within 240 days of the date of service
- What is not covered https://stdidsouthcountyhealprod.blob.core.windows.net/southcountyhealth/documents/Financial-Assistance-Program_PlainLanguage2026.pdf
  > The Financial Assistance Program doesn’t not cover charges incurred by Adapt Health Surgical Supply, Emergency Physician Associates of New England (Team Health)
- Documents https://stdidsouthcountyhealprod.blob.core.windows.net/southcountyhealth/documents/Financial-Assistance-Program_PlainLanguage2026.pdf
  > Acceptable proof is all three documents listed below: Current Federal Income Tax Return* Copies of Current Paychecks -Three consecutive Months
- Languages https://stdidsouthcountyhealprod.blob.core.windows.net/southcountyhealth/documents/Financial-Assistance-For-Website-rev-2024.pdf
  > Currently the notices and summary information is translated in Spanish, Italian, and French
- Financial counseling phone https://www.southcountyhealth.org/patients-visitors/patient-resources-tools/financial-assistance
  > An advocate can be reached by calling (401) 788-1383

Last checked 2026-11-10.

HTML page https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/south-county-hospital-inc-wakefield-ri/
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