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How to ask a hospital for help with a medical bill

Before you pay or set up a plan, ask for the hospital's financial assistance policy and an itemized bill.

Who are you asking?My landlordMy electric, gas or water companyA hospital or medical billMy credit card companyMy car lenderMy phone or internet companyThe IRSMy boss or employerFamily or a friend (I'm asking)Someone asking me to lend (I'm the lender)Someone who owes me money What are you asking for?Apply for financial assistancePay part now, the rest laterMore time to payWrite a hardship letter Tone

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Your name

Name of the person you speak to (optional)

Account number

Amount

Reason (optional)Prefer not to sayHours were cutUnexpected medical billUrgent car repairLost my jobPaycheck comes after the due datePay was lateFamily emergencySomething else (type it)

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Tips before you ask

• Nonprofit hospitals must have a written financial assistance policy that covers emergency and medically necessary care (IRS, section 501(r)). Ask for it by name.
• Ask for an itemized bill before you pay anything, and check each line.
• Ask for the payment plan to have no interest.

Example: apply for financial assistance

A worked example in the warm tone. Fill in the form above to get your own, in the tone you choose.

If they say no

Apply for financial assistance

• Ask whether the hospital is a nonprofit. Nonprofit hospitals must have a written financial assistance policy (an IRS rule, section 501(r)).
• Ask for a payment plan with no interest.
• Check each line of the itemized bill and ask about any charge you don't recognize.
• Free help: a hospital financial counselor, or 211 for local programs.

Pay part now, the rest later

• Ask what the smallest amount is that would stop late fees or a shut-off, and by when.
• Ask whether a longer payment plan is possible.
• Ask whether there's a hardship or assistance program.
• Call 211 or visit 211.org to find local help with this bill.
• Whatever you agree, ask for it in writing.

More time to pay

• Ask what they can offer instead: a shorter delay, part now and the rest later, or a payment plan.
• Ask whether there's a hardship or assistance program, and how to apply.
• Ask, politely, to speak to a supervisor.
• Call 211 or visit 211.org to find local help with this bill.
• Whatever you agree, ask for it in writing.

Write a hardship letter

• Ask what documents they'd need to reconsider, and send them.
• Ask for the hardship department or a supervisor, in writing.
• Ask for a smaller change: one skipped payment, a lower payment for two months, or a waived late fee.
• A nonprofit credit counselor (look for NFCC members) can contact lenders about a plan for you.

Sources

• IRS: financial assistance policy for nonprofit hospitals, section 501(r)(4)

Checked 2026-09-27.

These are templates for general information, not legal or tax advice, and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. You send every message yourself; we never contact anyone on your behalf.