Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Nonprofit children's hospital in Philadelphia, PA.

Verified from the hospital's own policy

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia likely gives free care to households with a yearly income up to $63,840 for 1 person, $86,560 for 2, $109,280 for 3, $132,000 for 4, $154,720 for 5 or $177,440 for 6. We have not found a discount for incomes above the free care level.

The hospital makes the final decision.

Yearly household income, before taxes, using the 2026 federal poverty guidelines (free up to 400% of poverty level).
People in householdFree care up toDiscount up to
1$63,840not found
2$86,560not found
3$109,280not found
4$132,000not found
5$154,720not found
6$177,440not found

How to apply

  1. Call (800) 974-2125 and ask for financial assistance.
  2. Application form
  3. Financial Assistance (Administrative Policy A-2-03, effective 7/1/26)
  4. Plain language summary
  5. Bring completed and signed application, public insurance applications if applicable, photo ID with current address for adults, proof of household income, authorization to share information with Medicaid or CHIP.
  6. We do not have the deadline yet. Apply as soon as you get a bill, and ask the billing office to pause collections while you apply.
Residency
Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware (waived for emergencies and approved specialized care)
Languages
English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Arabic

If you have insurance

Insured patients can also apply for help with deductibles and copays. Keep your insurance. Financial assistance covers bills from this one place only.

What is covered

Covered
Medically necessary care, including emergency, inpatient, outpatient, surgical and home care, at CHOP facilities and practices
Not covered
Meals and lodging; transportation; items not provided by CHOP; drugs or biologics charged at $75,000 or more; out-of-network care

State program in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Medical Assistance (Medicaid)

State health coverage. Adults 19 to 64 qualify with income at or below 133% of the poverty level. Most hospital financial assistance policies in the Philadelphia area require you to apply for Medical Assistance first. This is insurance, not a hospital discount program, so it sets no hospital charity care threshold.

Applies to people, not hospitals.

Apply online through COMPASS or at your County Assistance Office. Hospital financial counselors can help you apply.

Adults ages 19-64 with incomes at or below 133 percent of the Federal Income Poverty Guidelines (FPIG)

Program source, checked 2026-11-10

Hospital Uncompensated Care Program (Tobacco Settlement Act, Act 77 of 2001, Chapter 11)

A state program that pays eligible hospitals for part of the uncompensated care they give, including charity care. It pays hospitals, not patients. The law defines charity care by each hospital's own charity care policy and sets no patient income limit. Whether the program is still funded today was not checked.

Applies to eligible hospitals (payments to hospitals).

Patients do not apply. Apply to the hospital's own financial assistance program.

provided free or at a reduced rate to patients who cannot afford to pay but who are not eligible for public programs

Program source, checked 2026-11-10

Notes

Eligible families owe nothing after insurance. You can apply any time before, during or after care. You must cooperate with Medicaid or CHIP screening if you might qualify. Uninsured families at or below 400% with an approved IRS Form 4029 can get a separate 70% discount (4029 Financial Relief Policy: https://www.chop.edu/sites/default/files/4029-financial-relief-policy.pdf).

Sources

  • Free care level
    must have a total Household Income of not more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) for the Household size.
  • Free care level
    If CHOP determines that a patient is eligible, CHOP will waive 100% of the patient’s financial responsibility
  • Insured patients
    The patient must be uninsured or insured by a health plan in which CHOP is a participating provider or has a case agreement.
  • Residency
    Primary Service Area means Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

Last checked. 2026-11-10

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