Dallas Hospital Bill Help 2026–27: Parkland Financial Assistance, the Self-Pay Charity Discount and How to Apply
Parkland Health is Dallas County's public hospital system, and for many uninsured and underinsured families it's the main place to get care. Parkland runs two programs that can make that care affordable: Parkland Financial Assistance (PFA), which brings costs down to small co-pays for lower-income Dallas County residents, and the Self-Pay Charity Discount Program, which cuts gross charges for patients who don't qualify for PFA or other coverage.
This guide explains who qualifies for each program, what you'd pay, how to apply and renew, and which bills Parkland's help doesn't cover.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: Parkland Health's Financial Support, Parkland Financial Assistance, Apply for PFA and Self-Pay Charity Discount Program pages; Parkland's PFA patient payment responsibility chart (effective September 1, 2023); and Parkland's Self-Pay Charity Discount policy (published January 8, 2024). Confirm current amounts with a Parkland financial counselor.
The Short Version
PFA: for Dallas County residents with household income below 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL). It covers medically necessary care at Parkland locations, with small co-pays.
Self-Pay Charity Discount: for self-pay patients who don't qualify for another funding source. Parkland's program page says discounts range from 65% to 90%, with a limit on what you pay for emergency care.
Not insurance: both programs only cover care at Parkland.
Apply: online through Parkland MyChart, by mail or in person with a financial counselor.
Questions: Parkland Patient Financial Services, 214-590-8831, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Interpreters are available in 166 languages.
Parkland Financial Assistance (PFA)
Who qualifies
According to Parkland, PFA is for Dallas County residents, and eligibility is based on income compared with the federal poverty guidelines and household size. People with income below 250% of the FPL are eligible to apply.
Parkland also says that people who qualify for PFA can't be charged more than the amounts generally billed to insured patients for emergency or other medically necessary care.
What it covers
PFA covers medically necessary care at any Parkland location, including hospitals, outpatient surgery centers and its Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) clinics. Covered services include:
Emergency care
Women and infants' services
Primary care
Specialty care for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer
Hospital stays
Pharmacy services
Radiology and lab tests
The 24-hour nurse line
What it doesn't cover
Care outside Parkland. You're responsible for charges from any non-Parkland provider.
UT Southwestern physicians. Parkland's policy says professional charges from UT Southwestern Medical Center doctors and mid-level providers aren't covered, even when they treat you at Parkland. Ask about these bills separately.
Services that aren't medically necessary.
What you'll pay
PFA isn't free for everyone. Parkland says you'll be asked for a co-payment for clinic visits, prescriptions, medical supplies and some procedures, due at the time of service. Parkland's payment chart, effective September 1, 2023, sets co-pays by income level:
| Service | 0–138% FPL | 139–150% FPL | 151–200% FPL | 201–250% FPL | |---|---|---|---|---| | Hospital admission | $0 | $100 | $200 | $400 | | Outpatient surgery | $0 | $75 | $150 | $300 | | Emergency / urgent care | $0 | $25 | $50 | $100 | | Office or clinic visit | $0 | $5 | $10 | $20 | | Routine tests, radiology, lab, mammogram | $0 | $5 | $10 | $20 | | Advanced imaging, chemo, infusion, surgery services | $0 | $75 | $150 | $300 |
Under that chart, durable medical equipment is covered at no cost only at the lowest income level. Above it, DME costs are reviewed based on your ability to pay. The chart is from 2023, so ask a counselor whether the amounts have changed.
The Self-Pay Charity Discount Program
If you're over the PFA income limit, don't live in Dallas County, or otherwise don't qualify for another funding source, the Self-Pay Charity Discount Program can still lower your bill for medically necessary care at Parkland.
According to Parkland's program page:
The discount is based on your income compared with the FPL, your Dallas County residency and the type of visit (emergency or non-emergency).
Discounts range from 65% to 90%.
There's a limit on how much you must pay for emergency services.
Parkland's written policy (published January 2024) gives more detail. It lists a 75% discount for Dallas County residents with income between 251% and 400% of FPL, as well as for those at 401% or more, and a 60% discount for patients who don't live in Dallas County. Patients pay a down payment at the time of service. Because the policy's figures differ from the program page's 65–90% range, ask a counselor which applies to you.
The policy also says Parkland may offer a no-interest financing option or payment plan for out-of-pocket amounts due for non-emergency care, decided case by case.
Covered services include emergency care, primary and preventive care, screenings and inpatient and outpatient hospital care. Applying doesn't guarantee approval. If you're eligible for job-based coverage or a Health Insurance Marketplace plan, Parkland notes you'll need to enroll during open enrollment.
How to Apply for PFA
Online: Apply through Parkland MyChart under Menu > Billing > Parkland Financial Assistance, or through the online form on Parkland's site.
By mail or in person:
Fill out the PFA application, available in English and Spanish.
Complete the employment verification form.
If you have Medicare, complete the asset form.
If someone else supports you or provides your housing, complete the verification of support form.
Gather proof of:
Dallas County residency
Valid photo ID
Income
Household size
Return everything:
Mail: Parkland Financial Assistance Application, Patient Financial Services, 2021 Medical District Drive, Dallas, TX 75235
In person: Patient Financial Services office, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., or a financial counselor at a Parkland community health center
Bring your paperwork to your visit. Parkland warns that if you don't bring your information, you'll have to pay for non-emergency care and medicines when you see a doctor.
Renewing PFA
PFA expires, so mark your calendar. If you currently have PFA, or it expired less than six months ago, you can use the renewal process. If it's been more than six months, you'll need to apply as a new patient.
How to Apply for the Self-Pay Charity Discount
Complete the Self-Pay Charity Discount application (English or Spanish).
Gather proof of residency, photo ID, income and household size.
Return it by mail to Patient Financial Services, 5200 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75235, through Parkland MyChart with your documents attached, or in person with a financial counselor Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Other Programs a Counselor Can Check
Parkland's financial counselors can also screen you for Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplace (ACA) coverage, Parkland Community Health Plan, and the Crime Victims' Compensation Program. If you might qualify for one of these, apply, since it may cover care Parkland's programs don't, including care outside Parkland.
Closing Thoughts
If you live in Dallas County and earn under 250% of the poverty level, Parkland Financial Assistance can turn large hospital bills into small co-pays. If you earn more or live outside the county, the Self-Pay Charity Discount can still cut your charges substantially. Apply before or soon after your care, bring your documents to every visit, renew on time and ask separately about any UT Southwestern physician bills.
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