# Free and discounted hospital care in the Philadelphia area

We list 47 hospitals and 17 health center organizations in the Philadelphia area. We have found income levels for 39 of the hospitals so far.

HTML page https://hospitalaid.org/metros/philadelphia/

The hospital makes the final decision.

## State programs

### Pennsylvania Medical Assistance (Medicaid)

State health coverage. Adults 19 to 64 qualify with income at or below 133% of the poverty level. Most hospital financial assistance policies in the Philadelphia area require you to apply for Medical Assistance first. This is insurance, not a hospital discount program, so it sets no hospital charity care threshold.

Applies to people, not hospitals.

How to apply. Apply online through COMPASS or at your County Assistance Office. Hospital financial counselors can help you apply.

> Adults ages 19-64 with incomes at or below 133 percent of the Federal Income Poverty Guidelines (FPIG)

Source https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/medicaid/medicaid-general-eligibility, checked 2026-11-10

### Hospital Uncompensated Care Program (Tobacco Settlement Act, Act 77 of 2001, Chapter 11)

A state program that pays eligible hospitals for part of the uncompensated care they give, including charity care. It pays hospitals, not patients. The law defines charity care by each hospital's own charity care policy and sets no patient income limit. Whether the program is still funded today was not checked.

Applies to eligible hospitals (payments to hospitals).

How to apply. Patients do not apply. Apply to the hospital's own financial assistance program.

> provided free or at a reduced rate to patients who cannot afford to pay but who are not eligible for public programs

Source https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information/view-statute?txtType=PDF&SessYr=2001&SessInd=0&ActNum=0077., checked 2026-11-10

## Hospitals, most generous first

| Hospital | City | Free care for a family of 4 up to | Discount up to | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Children's Hospital of Philadelphia](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/childrens-hospital-of-philadelphia-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $132,000 | not found | Verified policy |
| [Shriners Hospitals for Children - Philadelphia](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/shriners-hospitals-for-children-philadelphia-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $132,000 | not found | Verified policy |
| [Lower Bucks Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/lower-bucks-hospital-bristol-pa.md) | Bristol | $115,500 | $148,500 | Verified policy |
| [Roxborough Memorial Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/roxborough-memorial-hospital-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $115,500 | $148,500 | Verified policy |
| [Suburban Community Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/suburban-community-hospital-norristown-pa.md) | Norristown | $115,500 | $148,500 | Verified policy |
| [Bryn Mawr Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/bryn-mawr-hospital-bryn-mawr-pa.md) | Bryn Mawr | $99,000 | $165,000 | Verified policy |
| [Main Line Hospital Lankenau](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/main-line-hospital-lankenau-wynnewood-pa.md) | Wynnewood | $99,000 | $165,000 | Verified policy |
| [Paoli Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/paoli-hospital-paoli-pa.md) | Paoli | $99,000 | $165,000 | Verified policy |
| [Riddle Memorial Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/riddle-memorial-hospital-media-pa.md) | Media | $99,000 | $165,000 | Verified policy |
| [Chester County Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/chester-county-hospital-west-chester-pa.md) | West Chester | $99,000 | not found | Verified policy |
| [Doylestown Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/doylestown-hospital-doylestown-pa.md) | Doylestown | $99,000 | not found | Verified policy |
| [Hospital of Univ of Pennsylvania](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/hospital-of-univ-of-pennsylvania-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $99,000 | not found | Verified policy |
| [Penn Presbyterian Medical Center](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/penn-presbyterian-medical-center-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $99,000 | not found | Verified policy |
| [Pennsylvania Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/pennsylvania-hospital-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $99,000 | not found | Verified policy |
| [St. Luke's Hospital - Grand View Campus](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/st-lukes-hospital-grand-view-campus-sellersville-pa.md) | Sellersville | $99,000 | not found | Verified policy |
| [St. Luke's Hospital - Upper Bucks Campus](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/st-lukes-hospital-upper-bucks-campus-quakertown-pa.md) | Quakertown | $99,000 | not found | Verified policy |
| [Holy Redeemer Hospital and Medical Center](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/holy-redeemer-hospital-and-medical-center-meadowbrook-pa.md) | Meadowbrook | $82,500 | $132,000 | Verified policy |
| [Eagleville Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/eagleville-hospital-eagleville-pa.md) | Eagleville | $66,000 | $165,000 | IRS filing, tax year 2024 |
| [Jefferson Abington Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/jefferson-abington-hospital-abington-pa.md) | Abington | $66,000 | $165,000 | Verified policy |
| [Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/jefferson-einstein-montgomery-hospital-east-norriton-pa.md) | East Norriton | $66,000 | $165,000 | Verified policy |
| [Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/jefferson-einstein-philadelphia-hospital-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $66,000 | $165,000 | Verified policy |
| [Jefferson Health- Northeast](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/jefferson-health-northeast-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $66,000 | $165,000 | Verified policy |
| [Jefferson Lansdale Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/jefferson-lansdale-hospital-lansdale-pa.md) | Lansdale | $66,000 | $165,000 | Verified policy |
| [Thomas Jefferson University Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/thomas-jefferson-university-hospital-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $66,000 | $165,000 | Verified policy |
| [Wills Eye Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/wills-eye-hospital-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $66,000 | $165,000 | Verified policy |
| [Kensington Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/kensington-hospital-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $66,000 | $132,000 | Verified policy |
| [Mercy Catholic Medical Center- Mercy Fitzgerald](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/mercy-catholic-medical-center-mercy-fitzgerald-darby-pa.md) | Darby | $66,000 | $132,000 | Verified policy |
| [Nazareth Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/nazareth-hospital-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $66,000 | $132,000 | Verified policy |
| [Phoenixville Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/phoenixville-hospital-phoenixville-pa.md) | Phoenixville | $66,000 | $132,000 | Verified policy |
| [Pottstown Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/pottstown-hospital-pottstown-pa.md) | Pottstown | $66,000 | $132,000 | Verified policy |
| [St. Christopher's Hospital for Children](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/st-christophers-hospital-for-children-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $66,000 | $132,000 | Verified policy |
| [St. Mary Medical Center](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/st-mary-medical-center-langhorne-pa.md) | Langhorne | $66,000 | $132,000 | Verified policy |
| [Haven Behavioral Hospital of Philadelphia](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/haven-behavioral-hospital-of-philadelphia-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $66,000 | not found | Verified policy |
| [Haven Behavioral Hospital of West Chester](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/haven-behavioral-hospital-of-west-chester-west-chester-pa.md) | West Chester | $66,000 | not found | Verified policy |
| [Physicians Care Surgical Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/physicians-care-surgical-hospital-royersford-pa.md) | Royersford | $66,000 | not found | Verified policy |
| [Rothman Orthopaedic Specialty Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/rothman-orthopaedic-specialty-hospital-bensalem-pa.md) | Bensalem | $66,000 | not found | Verified policy |
| [Montgomery County Emergency Service](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/montgomery-county-emergency-service-norristown-pa.md) | Norristown | $65,670 | $165,000 | Verified policy |
| [Temple Health - Chestnut Hill Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/temple-health-chestnut-hill-hospital-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $33,000 | $132,000 | Verified policy |
| [Temple University Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/temple-university-hospital-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | $33,000 | $132,000 | Verified policy |
| [Belmont Behavioral Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/belmont-behavioral-hospital-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | not found | not found | Legal baseline only |
| [Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/brooke-glen-behavioral-hospital-fort-washington-pa.md) | Fort Washington | not found | not found | Legal baseline only |
| [Fairmount Behavioral Health System](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/fairmount-behavioral-health-system-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | not found | not found | No rule on file |
| [Friends Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/friends-hospital-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | not found | not found | No rule on file |
| [Horsham Clinic](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/horsham-clinic-ambler-pa.md) | Ambler | not found | not found | No rule on file |
| [Malvern Behavioral Health](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/malvern-behavioral-health-philadelphia-pa.md) | Philadelphia | not found | not found | Legal baseline only |
| [Norristown State Hospital](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/norristown-state-hospital-norristown-pa.md) | Norristown | not found | not found | No rule on file |
| [Valley Forge Medical Center](https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/valley-forge-medical-center-norristown-pa.md) | Norristown | not found | not found | No rule on file |

## Health centers

Under federal health center rules, these centers offer a sliding fee at or below 200% of the poverty level.

- [Chespenn Health Services, Inc](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/chespenn-health-services-inc-pa.md), 2 sites
- [City of Philadelphia](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/city-of-philadelphia-pa.md), 8 sites
- [Community Health and Dental Care, Inc.](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/community-health-and-dental-care-inc-pa.md), 5 sites
- [Covenant House Inc](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/covenant-house-inc-pa.md), 4 sites
- [Delaware Valley Community Health, Inc.](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/delaware-valley-community-health-inc-pa.md), 10 sites
- [Esperanza Health Center, Inc.](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/esperanza-health-center-inc-pa.md), 3 sites
- [Fair Hill Community Physi](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/fair-hill-community-physi-pa.md), 6 sites
- [Family Practice & Counseling Services Network Inc.](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/family-practice-and-counseling-services-network-inc-pa.md), 3 sites
- [Greater Philadelphia Health Action Inc](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/greater-philadelphia-health-action-inc-pa.md), 12 sites
- [Lch Health & Community Services](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/lch-health-and-community-services-pa.md), 4 sites
- [Mazzoni Center](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/mazzoni-center-pa.md), 2 sites
- [Philadelphia Fight](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/philadelphia-fight-pa.md), 6 sites
- [Project Home](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/project-home-pa.md), 3 sites
- [Public Health Management Corp](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/public-health-management-corp-pa.md), 14 sites
- [Sayre Health Center](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/sayre-health-center-pa.md), 1 site
- [Spectrum Health Services](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/spectrum-health-services-pa.md), 4 sites
- [Union Community Care](https://hospitalaid.org/health-centers/union-community-care-pa.md), 23 sites

## State laws that protect patients

### No statewide hospital charity care income standard

We found no Pennsylvania law that sets free or discounted care thresholds for hospitals. The state's uncompensated care law defines charity care by reference to each hospital's own policy. Nonprofit hospitals still must have a written financial assistance policy under federal IRS rule 501(r). This is a finding from the sources below, not a statement from the state.

> from whom the hospital did not expect payment in accordance with the hospital's charity care policy.

Source https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information/view-statute?txtType=PDF&SessYr=2001&SessInd=0&ActNum=0077.

### House Bill 79 of 2025-2026 (hospital-based financial assistance) - pending, not law

Would have the Department of Health create a uniform financial assistance application and a one-page summary every hospital must use, require hospitals to post their policies, and pause a patient's liability for bills while a completed application is pending. It sets no income thresholds. Passed the House 187-16 on May 13, 2025; referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on May 22, 2025, with no later action shown.

> An Act establishing requirements for hospital-based financial assistance; providing for hospital-based financial assistance forms,

Source https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb79

### Institutions of Purely Public Charity Act (Act 55 of 1997)

Sets the tests a nonprofit, including a nonprofit hospital, must meet to be tax-exempt in Pennsylvania. One way to meet the community service test is a published written policy of serving all regardless of ability to pay. It gives patients no specific income threshold or right to free care.

> Goods or services to all who seek them without regard to their ability to pay for what they receive

Source https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information/view-statute?txtType=PDF&SessYr=1997&SessInd=0&ActNum=0055.