University Hospital S U N Y Health Science Center: Financial Assistance & Charity Care
Can't afford a bill from University Hospital S U N Y Health Science 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 if your household income is below 200% of the federal poverty level — New York's Hospital Financial Aid Law requires hospitals to waive all charges below this level.
Discounted care: Upstate's policy provides financial assistance (reduced bills) for individuals with income up to 400% of the federal poverty level — including uninsured patients and underinsured patients whose out-of-pocket medical costs in the past 12 months exceeded 10% of their gross annual income.
How to apply: Upstate University Hospital: Financial assistance policy and application
Phone: 315-464-8050 — Upstate Patient Financial Services.
How to apply
- Check the income limits above — free care below 200% of the federal poverty level; reduced bills up to 400%.
- Call Patient Financial Services at 315-464-8050 — they will also screen you for government coverage programs.
- Fill out the financial assistance application and include proof of income (two recent pay stubs, benefit statements, bank statements, and W-2s/1099s).
- Send the application to Upstate University Hospital — they process it within 30 days and notify you in writing of what you owe.
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 University Hospital S U N Y Health Science 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.
- Upstate University Hospital financial assistance policy (upstate.edu)
- NY Attorney General guidance on hospital financial aid law (free care below 200% FPL)
- Upstate financial assistance cover letter (phone)