Research Medical Center: Financial Assistance & Charity Care
Can't afford a bill from Research Medical Center? 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
Free care: Free care (100% charity discount) if your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. (Research Medical Center is part of HCA Midwest Health / HCA Healthcare; HCA's charity discount policy applies.)
Discounted care: An expanded financial assistance policy may reduce what you owe if your documented income is between 201% and 400% of the federal poverty level and your balance is over $1,500.
How to apply: HCA Midwest Health: Financial assistance
Phone: (816) 276-4000 — Hospital main line — ask for financial assistance.
How to apply
- Check the income limits above — at or below 200% of the federal poverty level may qualify for a 100% charity discount; up to 400% may qualify for expanded help.
- Gather your documents to show total household income (pay stubs, tax return, or other income records).
- Call the hospital or visit the financial assistance page to start the application.
- The hospital will validate your application — no charity discount can be applied until any insurance or payer liability is settled.
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 Research Medical Center 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.
- HCA Midwest Health: Financial Assistance - Charity discount policy
- HCA Healthcare: Patient Financial Support (charity care and expanded charity care policies)
- Research Medical Center (HCA Midwest Health)