Financial Assistance | Patient Billing | Patient Services | Main Line Health

Financial Assistance | Patient Billing | Patient Services | Main Line Health
Financial Assistance at Main Line Health
Main Line Health is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. We offer financial assistance to individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, or otherwise unable to afford medically-necessary services.
Emergency care guarantee
No patient will be refused emergency treatment due to financial status. Emergency services are never conditioned or delayed based on ability to pay.
Eligibility guidelines
Main Line Health offers financial assistance based on household income and family size using Federal Poverty Guidelines:
If you have low income and need help paying for medical care, you may qualify for federal, state, or local programs like Medicaid. These programs can be hard to navigate, but we’re here to help. Main Line Health has staff who can assist you with the application process and determine if you’re eligible.
We offer financial support based on your household income and size:
If your income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, you may qualify for 100% free care.
If your income is between 300% and 500%, you may be eligible for an 86% discount off of your care.
If you don’t have insurance and your income is above 500% of the federal poverty level, you may still qualify for discounts:
Inpatient services: 60% off total charges
Outpatient services:
40% off total charges
Emergency department care: 40% off total charges, with a maximum out-of-pocket of $1,700 for hospital services (excluding physician fees)
How to apply
You can apply for financial assistance in several ways:
Online via MyChart
Sign in to MyChart
and apply
Mail
— Main Line Health, Attn: Financial Assistance, 3803 West Chester Pike, Suite 160, Newtown Square, PA 19073 (Please note: applications cannot be dropped off at this address)
In-person
— Drop off your application at one of our Financial Counseling Offices at any Main Line Health hospital.
Need help?
For questions or assistance with your application, contact our customer service team at
484.337.1970
Full Financial Assistance Policy
Financial Assistance Policy — English (PDF)
Política de Asistencia Financiera — Español (PDF)
Financial Assistance Program Summary
Financial Assistance Program Summary — English
To access free language assistance services, please call
1.866.225.5654
Transparency and compliance
Main Line Health complies with all federal, state, and local regulations, including IRS Section 501(r) and EMTALA. Our policy ensures that patients eligible for financial assistance are never charged more than Medicare reimbursement rates. Individuals may obtain a copy of our
Billing and Collections Policy (PDF)
on our website.
It is not the intent of this policy to offer free or discounted care to patients who have health insurance with high deductibles or coinsurance unless they otherwise qualify for Financial Assistance under this policy. Any person who does not have insurance or does not have the ability to pay all or part of their financial responsibility to Main Line Health for Main Line Health provided services may apply for charity care and financial assistance. Patients who are receiving elective cosmetic or plastic surgery are not eligible.
Frequently asked questions
Get answers to our frequently asked questions about financial assistance.
Main Line Health offers financial assistance to patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or unable to pay for medically necessary services. Assistance may include full coverage or discounted rates based on household income and family size.
Eligibility is based on Federal Poverty Guidelines. Patients with household income:
At or below 300% of the FPL may qualify for full assistance.
Between 301–500% may receive significant discounts.
Above 500% (uninsured) may qualify for self-pay discounts.
You can apply:
Online through MyChart
By mailing your completed application
By dropping it off at any Main Line Health cashier’s office Note: Financial Counseling offices are no longer available at individual hospitals.
Required documents may include:
Proof of income (e.g., pay stubs, tax returns)
Insurance information (if applicable)
Completed Financial Assistance application Refer to the policy for a full list of acceptable documentation.
Applications are typically reviewed within 30 days of receipt. You will be notified by mail or through MyChart once a decision is made.
You may still be eligible for flexible payment plans through AccessOne. These plans offer interest-free or low-interest options to help manage your medical bills.
No. Main Line Health will never deny emergency medical treatment based on your ability to pay.
Full Financial Assistance Policy:
English (PDF)
Spanish (PDF)
Schedule A:
English (PDF)
Spanish (PDF)
– Main Line Health Financial Assistance Table
Schedule C:
English (PDF)
Spanish (PDF)
– Main Line Health Financial Assistance Application
Schedule D:
English (PDF)
Spanish (PDF)
– Table of Participating Providers
Schedule E (PDF)
– Non-Participating Providers
Understanding charity care and financial assistance definitions
An uninsured patient has no health insurance from any source for specific services, whether inpatient or outpatient, furnished by any provider.
Commercial insurance refers to coverage for medical expenses from any of the following:
Commercial health insurance plans such as Blue Cross, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare.
Federal health care insurance programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP (State Children’s Health Insurance Program) and TRICARE.
Health insurance programs available to military personnel and their families.
Workers’ compensation, which may be used if a patient is injured at work.
Automobile insurance, which may be used if health care needs are related to an automobile accident.
Any health care program operated or financed, at least in part, by the federal, state or local government.
As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, a family is a group of two or more people who reside together and are related by birth, marriage or adoption. According to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules, if the patient claims someone as a dependent on their income tax return, that person may be considered a dependent for purposes of charity care and financial assistance.
Family income is determined using IRS rules. If a patient claims someone as a dependent on their income tax return, that person may be considered a dependent for purposes of financial assistance. If IRS rules cannot be applied, the Census Bureau definition of family will be used: a group of two or more people who reside together and are related by birth, marriage or adoption.
Charity care means receiving "free care." Patients who are uninsured for the relevant, medically necessary service, are ineligible for governmental or other insurance coverage, and have family incomes not exceeding 300% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for free care.
A determination that a patient is presumed eligible for charity care based on financial and historical information.
Financial assistance is available to patients who are uninsured for the relevant service, ineligible for governmental or other insurance coverage, and have family incomes greater than 300% but not exceeding 500% of the Federal Poverty Level. These patients may receive financial assistance in the form of amounts generally billed Medicare reimbursement rates.
Patients eligible for financial assistance will not be billed more than what Main Line Health would receive if the patient were a Medicare beneficiary. This is referred to in IRS regulations as the "prospective method" of calculating amounts generally billed.
A medical savings account (MSA) is an account into which tax-deferred income can be deposited. These amounts, often called contributions, are deducted from an employee’s salary and placed in the MSA. The money is specifically designated for medical expenses. An MSA is not insurance but can be used to cover patient financial responsibilities not otherwise paid by medical insurance.
Subrogation, in the health care context, is the recovery from a third party of medical costs originally paid by a benefits plan. If there is a remaining balance on a patient’s account and the patient or their insurer recovers funds through a subrogation action, Main Line Health reserves the right to a share of the proceeds.
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