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.
California hospital charity care
State rules
California's Hospital Fair Pricing Policies (Health and Safety Code 127400 and following) apply to every general acute care hospital, nonprofit or not. A "financially qualified patient" is uninsured or has high medical costs (out-of-pocket costs over 10% of family income) and has family income at or below 400% FPL. Each hospital must have a written charity care policy and a discount payment policy for these patients. The law does not set a free-care income level, so each hospital picks its own split between free and discounted care. Under a discount, the hospital may not expect more than the greater of what Medicare or Medi-Cal would pay. Hospitals may not consider a patient's monetary assets (the only exception is waiving Medicare cost sharing, and retirement plans are still excluded). Income proof is limited to recent pay stubs or tax returns, there is no deadline to apply, and payment plans must be interest-free. Hospitals may not report patients to credit agencies, sue before 180 days, garnish wages, or place liens on a home. Policies are filed with the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), which has handled enforcement and patient complaints since January 1, 2024 (AB 1020), with penalties up to $40,000. From July 1, 2027 (AB 1312), hospitals must presume eligibility for patients on programs such as CalFresh or CalWORKs, or who are homeless. Emergency physicians must also give discounts at or below 400% FPL (127452). Nonprofit hospitals also follow federal IRS 501(r).
20 hospitals
| Hospital | Free care up to | Discount up to | Assets counted? | Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center Oakland, CA Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (Northern California) California rules | 200% FPL | 400% FPL | no (policy says assets are not considered income; California law bars counting monetary assets) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] | Medical Financial Assistance policy NATL.CB.307 with Northern California addendum, both effective Jan 1, 2025 (newest version found Oct 23, 2026). Addendum discount schedule: 100% off at 0-200% FPL, 50% off at 201-400% FPL, for patients who meet income criteria or have high medical costs. Remaining balance can go on an interest-free payment plan of no more than 10% of monthly family income. Apply online, by phone, by mail (Kaiser Permanente MFA Program, P.O. Box 30006, Walnut Creek, CA 94598) or in person at Admitting or Patient Financial Advisors. The addendum lists 21 Northern California hospitals. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center San Francisco, CA Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (Northern California) California rules | 200% FPL | 400% FPL | no (policy says assets are not considered income; California law bars counting monetary assets) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] | Medical Financial Assistance policy NATL.CB.307 with Northern California addendum, both effective Jan 1, 2025 (newest version found Oct 23, 2026). Addendum discount schedule: 100% off at 0-200% FPL, 50% off at 201-400% FPL, for patients who meet income criteria or have high medical costs. Remaining balance can go on an interest-free payment plan of no more than 10% of monthly family income. Apply online, by phone, by mail (Kaiser Permanente MFA Program, P.O. Box 30006, Walnut Creek, CA 94598) or in person at Admitting or Patient Financial Advisors. The addendum lists 21 Northern California hospitals. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center Santa Clara, CA Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (Northern California) California rules | 200% FPL | 400% FPL | no (policy says assets are not considered income; California law bars counting monetary assets) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] | Medical Financial Assistance policy NATL.CB.307 with Northern California addendum, both effective Jan 1, 2025 (newest version found Oct 23, 2026). Addendum discount schedule: 100% off at 0-200% FPL, 50% off at 201-400% FPL, for patients who meet income criteria or have high medical costs. Remaining balance can go on an interest-free payment plan of no more than 10% of monthly family income. Apply online, by phone, by mail (Kaiser Permanente MFA Program, P.O. Box 30006, Walnut Creek, CA 94598) or in person at Admitting or Patient Financial Advisors. The addendum lists 21 Northern California hospitals. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center Sacramento, CA Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (Northern California) California rules | 200% FPL | 400% FPL | no (policy says assets are not considered income; California law bars counting monetary assets) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] | Medical Financial Assistance policy NATL.CB.307 with Northern California addendum, both effective Jan 1, 2025 (newest version found Oct 23, 2026). Addendum discount schedule: 100% off at 0-200% FPL, 50% off at 201-400% FPL, for patients who meet income criteria or have high medical costs. Remaining balance can go on an interest-free payment plan of no more than 10% of monthly family income. Apply online, by phone, by mail (Kaiser Permanente MFA Program, P.O. Box 30006, Walnut Creek, CA 94598) or in person at Admitting or Patient Financial Advisors. The addendum lists 21 Northern California hospitals. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek Medical Center Walnut Creek, CA Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (Northern California) California rules | 200% FPL | 400% FPL | no (policy says assets are not considered income; California law bars counting monetary assets) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] | Medical Financial Assistance policy NATL.CB.307 with Northern California addendum, both effective Jan 1, 2025 (newest version found Oct 23, 2026). Addendum discount schedule: 100% off at 0-200% FPL, 50% off at 201-400% FPL, for patients who meet income criteria or have high medical costs. Remaining balance can go on an interest-free payment plan of no more than 10% of monthly family income. Apply online, by phone, by mail (Kaiser Permanente MFA Program, P.O. Box 30006, Walnut Creek, CA 94598) or in person at Admitting or Patient Financial Advisors. The addendum lists 21 Northern California hospitals. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento Sacramento, CA Sutter Health California rules | 400% FPL | not confirmed | no (policy says hospitals shall not consider patients' monetary assets) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] | Policy on Financial Assistance for Sutter Hospitals (Charity Care), effective Jan 1, 2026, filed with HCAI. Uninsured at or below 400% FPL: full write-off of hospital charges. Insured at or below 400% FPL with out-of-pocket medical costs over 10% of family income in the past 12 months: patient responsibility written off. Discounts for uninsured patients above 400% FPL are described on Sutter's own site (40% off inpatient, 20% off outpatient); not confirmed in the filed policy text. Billing help 855-398-1633. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| California Pacific Medical Center San Francisco, CA Sutter Health California rules | 400% FPL | not confirmed | no (policy says hospitals shall not consider patients' monetary assets) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] | Policy on Financial Assistance for Sutter Hospitals (Charity Care), effective Jan 1, 2026, filed with HCAI. Uninsured at or below 400% FPL: full write-off of hospital charges. Insured at or below 400% FPL with out-of-pocket medical costs over 10% of family income in the past 12 months: patient responsibility written off. Discounts for uninsured patients above 400% FPL are described on Sutter's own site (40% off inpatient, 20% off outpatient); not confirmed in the filed policy text. Billing help 855-398-1633. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Oakland, CA Sutter Health California rules | 400% FPL | not confirmed | no (policy says hospitals shall not consider patients' monetary assets) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] | Policy on Financial Assistance for Sutter Hospitals (Charity Care), effective Jan 1, 2026, filed with HCAI. Uninsured at or below 400% FPL: full write-off of hospital charges. Insured at or below 400% FPL with out-of-pocket medical costs over 10% of family income in the past 12 months: patient responsibility written off. Discounts for uninsured patients above 400% FPL are described on Sutter's own site (40% off inpatient, 20% off outpatient); not confirmed in the filed policy text. Billing help 855-398-1633. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Sutter Roseville Medical Center Roseville, CA Sutter Health California rules | 400% FPL | not confirmed | no (policy says hospitals shall not consider patients' monetary assets) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] | Policy on Financial Assistance for Sutter Hospitals (Charity Care), effective Jan 1, 2026, filed with HCAI. Uninsured at or below 400% FPL: full write-off of hospital charges. Insured at or below 400% FPL with out-of-pocket medical costs over 10% of family income in the past 12 months: patient responsibility written off. Discounts for uninsured patients above 400% FPL are described on Sutter's own site (40% off inpatient, 20% off outpatient); not confirmed in the filed policy text. Billing help 855-398-1633. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital Santa Rosa, CA Sutter Health California rules | 400% FPL | not confirmed | no (policy says hospitals shall not consider patients' monetary assets) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] | Policy on Financial Assistance for Sutter Hospitals (Charity Care), effective Jan 1, 2026, filed with HCAI. Uninsured at or below 400% FPL: full write-off of hospital charges. Insured at or below 400% FPL with out-of-pocket medical costs over 10% of family income in the past 12 months: patient responsibility written off. Discounts for uninsured patients above 400% FPL are described on Sutter's own site (40% off inpatient, 20% off outpatient); not confirmed in the filed policy text. Billing help 855-398-1633. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA Cedars-Sinai California rules | 400% FPL | 600% FPL | no (policy says assets, including monetary assets, will not be considered) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] | Policy effective Jan 1, 2025 (newest version found Oct 23, 2026). Free care at or below 400% FPL. Discount Payment at 401-600% FPL: uninsured patients 95%, 90%, 85% and 85% off by band; underinsured patients 90%, 80%, 70% and 60% off. The same policy covers Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital and Huntington Hospital. Financial assistance line 866-803-1777. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital Marina del Rey, CA Cedars-Sinai California rules | 400% FPL | 600% FPL | no (policy says assets, including monetary assets, will not be considered) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] | Policy effective Jan 1, 2025 (newest version found Oct 23, 2026). Free care at or below 400% FPL. Discount Payment at 401-600% FPL: uninsured patients 95%, 90%, 85% and 85% off by band; underinsured patients 90%, 80%, 70% and 60% off. The same policy covers Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital and Huntington Hospital. Financial assistance line 866-803-1777. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Huntington Hospital Pasadena, CA Cedars-Sinai California rules | 400% FPL | 600% FPL | no (policy says assets, including monetary assets, will not be considered) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] | Policy effective Jan 1, 2025 (newest version found Oct 23, 2026). Free care at or below 400% FPL. Discount Payment at 401-600% FPL: uninsured patients 95%, 90%, 85% and 85% off by band; underinsured patients 90%, 80%, 70% and 60% off. The same policy covers Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital and Huntington Hospital. Financial assistance line 866-803-1777. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Stanford Health Care (Stanford Hospital) Palo Alto, CA Stanford Health Care California rules | 400% FPL | not confirmed | no (policy section "No Consideration of Monetary Assets"; assets may be considered only to waive Medicare cost sharing) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] | Financial Assistance Policy last approved March 2025 (newest version found Oct 23, 2026). 100% waiver for uninsured patients at or below 400% FPL, and for insured patients at or below 400% FPL with out-of-pocket costs over 10% of family income. Uninsured patients above that get a separate uninsured discount (50% off professional charges, 60% off hospital charges) under the SHC Uninsured Patient Discount Policy; no income cap for that discount is stated. Approval lasts 12 months. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Sharp Memorial Hospital San Diego, CA Sharp HealthCare California rules | 400% FPL | not confirmed | no (policy says hospitals will not look at savings or property) | Policy Apply Sources [1] | Policy 15602.99, effective June 3, 2026, filed with HCAI. Uninsured at or below 400% FPL: full write-off of hospital charges. Insured at or below 400% FPL with out-of-pocket costs over 10% of family income: full write-off. Uninsured above 400% FPL may qualify for the cash price; no discount tier above 400% stated. Covers Sharp Memorial, Grossmont, Chula Vista, Coronado, Mary Birch, Mesa Vista and Tri-City. Help 858-499-2400. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Sharp Grossmont Hospital La Mesa, CA Sharp HealthCare California rules | 400% FPL | not confirmed | no (policy says hospitals will not look at savings or property) | Policy Apply Sources [1] | Policy 15602.99, effective June 3, 2026, filed with HCAI. Uninsured at or below 400% FPL: full write-off of hospital charges. Insured at or below 400% FPL with out-of-pocket costs over 10% of family income: full write-off. Uninsured above 400% FPL may qualify for the cash price; no discount tier above 400% stated. Covers Sharp Memorial, Grossmont, Chula Vista, Coronado, Mary Birch, Mesa Vista and Tri-City. Help 858-499-2400. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center Chula Vista, CA Sharp HealthCare California rules | 400% FPL | not confirmed | no (policy says hospitals will not look at savings or property) | Policy Apply Sources [1] | Policy 15602.99, effective June 3, 2026, filed with HCAI. Uninsured at or below 400% FPL: full write-off of hospital charges. Insured at or below 400% FPL with out-of-pocket costs over 10% of family income: full write-off. Uninsured above 400% FPL may qualify for the cash price; no discount tier above 400% stated. Covers Sharp Memorial, Grossmont, Chula Vista, Coronado, Mary Birch, Mesa Vista and Tri-City. Help 858-499-2400. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla La Jolla, CA Scripps Health California rules | 250% FPL | 400% FPL | limited (only health savings accounts are considered; home, vehicle, savings and property are not) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] [3] | Policy S-FW-LD-5421, effective July 28, 2026, filed with HCAI. Charity care (full or partial forgiveness) at or below 250% FPL; discounted care at 251-400% FPL. Above 400% FPL, help may be considered for hardship with manager approval. Covers Scripps Memorial La Jolla, Scripps Memorial Encinitas, Scripps Green and Scripps Mercy (Hillcrest and Chula Vista). Financial counselor 1-877-727-SCRIPPS. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego, CA Scripps Health California rules | 250% FPL | 400% FPL | limited (only health savings accounts are considered; home, vehicle, savings and property are not) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] [3] | Policy S-FW-LD-5421, effective July 28, 2026, filed with HCAI. Charity care (full or partial forgiveness) at or below 250% FPL; discounted care at 251-400% FPL. Above 400% FPL, help may be considered for hardship with manager approval. Covers Scripps Memorial La Jolla, Scripps Memorial Encinitas, Scripps Green and Scripps Mercy (Hillcrest and Chula Vista). Financial counselor 1-877-727-SCRIPPS. Checked 2026-10-23 |
| Scripps Green Hospital La Jolla, CA Scripps Health California rules | 250% FPL | 400% FPL | limited (only health savings accounts are considered; home, vehicle, savings and property are not) | Policy Apply Sources [1] [2] [3] | Policy S-FW-LD-5421, effective July 28, 2026, filed with HCAI. Charity care (full or partial forgiveness) at or below 250% FPL; discounted care at 251-400% FPL. Above 400% FPL, help may be considered for hardship with manager approval. Covers Scripps Memorial La Jolla, Scripps Memorial Encinitas, Scripps Green and Scripps Mercy (Hillcrest and Chula Vista). Financial counselor 1-877-727-SCRIPPS. Checked 2026-10-23 |