Not legal, medical or financial advice. This is a free, independent guide built from each hospital's own published policy. Policies change. The hospital's current policy and its decision on your application are what count. Always check the linked source.
State rules
Oklahoma
Oklahoma law (63 O.S. 1-723.2, in effect since July 1, 2007) requires every hospital to run a discount program for uninsured self-pay patients with household income up to 300% FPL: the charge after discount cannot exceed the greater of what Medicare would pay or the hospital's cost (cost-to-charge ratio). Patients must show they qualify, and can raise this as a defense if the hospital sues to collect. It is a discount floor, not free care, and does not apply to insured patients. No state statute I found requires free care. The Oklahoma Hospital Association runs a voluntary "Promise to Oklahoma" pledge (Nov 2024): free care to at least 200% FPL, sliding scale to 400%, drop asset tests (or limit them to cash-like assets), and a medically indigent policy. It also hosts links to many hospitals' policies. Nonprofit hospitals also follow federal IRS 501(r).
Washington
All hospitals (not just nonprofits) must give charity care under RCW 70.170.060 and WAC 246-453. Since July 1, 2022: Tier 1 hospitals (large King/Clark County hospitals and those in systems of 3+ hospitals) give free care to 300% FPL, 75% off at 301-350%, 50% off at 351-400%. Tier 2 hospitals give free care to 200% FPL, 75% off at 201-250%, 50% off at 251-300%. Hospitals file policies with WA DOH, which posts them. Denied patients have 30 days to appeal (per DOH guidance). Hospitals may reduce the 75% and 50% discounts by amounts reasonably related to assets, but only under a public asset policy, and must exclude the first $5,000 of money for one person ($8,000 for two, plus $1,500 each extra person), home equity, retirement plans other than 401(k)s, one car (two if needed for work or medical care), burial plans, and life insurance of $10,000 or less (RCW 70.170.060(5)(c)). The statute's asset wording applies only to the discount tiers, not to free care. DOH posts which hospitals are Tier 1 and Tier 2.