Rhode Island Hospital
Nonprofit acute care hospital in Providence, RI.
Verified from the hospital's own policy
Rhode Island Hospital likely gives free care to households with a yearly income up to $31,920 for 1 person, $43,280 for 2, $54,640 for 3, $66,000 for 4, $77,360 for 5 or $88,720 for 6. It likely gives a discount to households with a yearly income up to $47,880 for 1 person, $64,920 for 2, $81,960 for 3, $99,000 for 4, $116,040 for 5 or $133,080 for 6.
The hospital makes the final decision.
| People in household | Free care up to | Discount up to |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $31,920 | $47,880 |
| 2 | $43,280 | $64,920 |
| 3 | $54,640 | $81,960 |
| 4 | $66,000 | $99,000 |
| 5 | $77,360 | $116,040 |
| 6 | $88,720 | $133,080 |
Discount steps
- 201% to 300% of poverty level, you pay outpatient 90% off charges; inpatient 80% off the Medicare DRG amount
How to apply
- Call (401) 444-7850 and ask for financial assistance.
- Application form
- Brown University Health - Financial Assistance Policy - Rhode Island
- Plain language summary
- Bring photo ID, proof of Rhode Island residence (utility bill or similar), pay stubs for the last two pay periods for all working family members, last year's federal tax return and W-2s (or IRS proof of non-filing), bank and account statements for the last three months, Medical Assistance approval or denial notice, list of monthly expenses.
- 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
- Rhode Island resident. Non-residents can apply for emergency care only (one ER visit or admission).
- Savings and property
- The policy counts savings or property, not only income.
- Languages
- English, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Khmer
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
- Emergency and medically necessary care billed by Brown University Health hospitals and its listed physician groups.
- Not covered
- Brown Dermatology, Brown Medicine, Brown Neurology, Brown Surgical Associates, Brown Urology, University Orthopedics and University Otolaryngology bill separately and are not covered. Cosmetic care and bills covered by auto, liability or work comp insurance are excluded.
State program in Rhode Island
Rhode Island statewide hospital charity care standard (216-RICR-40-10-23, section 23.14)
Every licensed Rhode Island hospital must give free care to uninsured, low-income Rhode Island residents up to 200% of the poverty level, and a sliding-scale discount from 200% to 300%. Each hospital sets its own discount sizes. A hospital may add an asset limit. Hospitals may give more help than this, never less. It is a rule hospitals must follow. There is no state fund to apply to.
Income levels in the program are free up to 200%, discount up to 300% of poverty level.
Applies to Every licensed hospital in Rhode Island, as a condition of its license. Covers uninsured, low-income Rhode Island residents who cannot get state, federal or employer insurance, for essential inpatient and outpatient services.
Apply to the hospital itself on the state's standard Application for Hospital Financial-Aid. The hospital must decide within 14 days of a complete application and tell you in writing. If denied, ask for the hospital's written appeal process.
provide full charity care (i.e., a 100% discount) to patients/guarantors whose annual income is up to and including 200% of the Federal Poverty Levels
Program source, checked 2026-11-10
Notes
Asset limit is $4,000 for one person and $6,000 for a family. Savings above that must be spent down on the hospital bill first, and medical bills you have paid can count against the overage. Insured patients must owe more than $250 after insurance, and approval lasts 3 months (12 months for uninsured). Uninsured patients above 300% of the poverty level still get an automatic uninsured discount (policy Table 1-B). Plain-language summaries also exist in Chinese (Simplified) and Haitian Creole. Patient Financial Services: (401) 444-6966 or (401) 444-6949. Hasbro Children's Hospital is part of Rhode Island Hospital's license and follows this policy. Sliding scale effective January 2026.
Sources
- System
This policy applies to services received at the following Brown University Health facilities
- Free care level
Patients approved for Financial Assistance who fall below 201% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines will receive a 100% Charity Free Care adjustment
- Discount level
Patients approved for Financial Assistance who fall within 201%-300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines will receive a partial Financial Assistance adjustment
- Discount steps
RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL <200% 201%-300% Outpatient % Discount FREE 90% Inpatient % Discount FREE 80% of DRG
- Insured patients
Financial assistance for insured patients is available once a patient receives a bill and by application only. Patient Responsibility must be greater than $250.00.
- Asset test
To be eligible for 100% discounted care or partial financial assistance, the maximum liquid assets shall not exceed the protection threshold
- Asset test
Asset Limitations: Individuals $4,000 Family: $6,000
- Residency
Patient must be a Rhode Island resident or meet one of the conditions below:
- What is not covered
Medical Providers by Not Covered Under Brown University Health Financial Assistance Policy
- Documents
Copy of last year's Federal income tax return and any supporting W-2 Form(s).
- Languages
Apply for Financial Assistance Download an application and instructions. English Spanish Russian Portuguese Khmer
- Financial counseling phone
For more information, please call 401-444-7850, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Last checked. 2026-11-10
Something wrong? Tell us and include a link to where you saw the right answer.
Work at this hospital? Claim and verify this page.
For AI assistants, this page as Markdown.