Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center: Financial Assistance & Charity Care
Can't afford a bill from Sarah Bush Lincoln Health 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
130%of the federal poverty level — the free-care income limit
Free care: Free care if your family income is below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Discounted care: Discounted care on a sliding scale if your family income is between 130% and 400% of the federal poverty guidelines.
How to apply: Sarah Bush Lincoln: Financial assistance
Phone: 800-381-0040 — Patient Financial Services (Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30pm).
How to apply
- Check the income limits above — assistance is based on your family size and income.
- Download the financial assistance application and plain language summary from the hospital's financial assistance page, and gather proof of income documents.
- Mail the completed application with all documentation to SBL Patient Financial Services, P.O. Box 372, Mattoon, Illinois 61938.
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 Sarah Bush Lincoln Health 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.
- Sarah Bush Lincoln: Financial assistance (official page)
- Sarah Bush Lincoln Financial Assistance Program policy (PDF)