El Camino Health: Financial Assistance & Charity Care
Can't afford a bill from El Camino Health? You may not have to pay all of it. Nonprofit hospitals must offer financial assistance — here are this hospital's actual income limits and how to apply, taken from its own published policy.
Quick facts
400%of the federal poverty level — the free-care income limit
Free care: Full charity care — you would owe nothing — if your family income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty level.
Discounted care: Not published — call the billing department to ask.
How to apply: El Camino Health: Charity care policy (HCAI)
Phone: 800-665-6540 — Patient Accounts customer service, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
How to apply
- Check the income limit above — full charity care goes to family incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level.
- Fill out the charity care application from the HCAI billing-policies page linked above.
- Send the application and proof of income back as the form instructs.
- Call the number above if you need help with the form or want to check whether you qualify.
Good to know
- You can apply up to 240 days after your first bill — even if the bill already went to collections.
- A new bill means a new application — you can apply more than once. More in our guide You Might Not Have to Pay That Hospital Bill.
- Whatever remains after assistance can still be negotiated: How to Negotiate a Hospital Bill.
- Free help applying: Dollar For walks you through it at no cost.
See what El Camino Health charges
Check if you qualify at other hospitals
Sources
- Policy details above come from the hospital's own published materials, linked below. Policies change — if a link breaks or a number looks off, call the hospital and please tell us.
- El Camino Health charity care policy filed with HCAI (PDF)
- El Camino Health: Help Paying Your Bill
- HCAI: El Camino Health billing policies