Houston Hospital Bill Help 2026–27: Harris Health Financial Assistance and Charity Care at Memorial Hermann and Houston Methodist
A big hospital bill in Houston doesn't always mean you have to pay it all. Harris County's public hospital system has a financial assistance program for low-income residents. Houston's two largest nonprofit systems, Memorial Hermann and Houston Methodist, also have written charity care policies that can make eligible care free below certain income levels.
This guide explains who qualifies at each, how to apply and the federal timeline that protects you from aggressive collections while you apply.
Last checked October 2026. Income limits and policies change, so confirm with each hospital's financial assistance office.
First, Figure Out Which Hospital Sent the Bill
Each hospital system runs its own program, and approval at one doesn't carry over to another.
Harris Health runs Ben Taub and Lyndon B. Johnson hospitals plus community health centers across the county.
Memorial Hermann and Houston Methodist are private nonprofit systems with their own financial assistance policies (FAPs).
Doctors bill separately. Memorial Hermann's policy says it doesn't cover physicians and other providers who aren't employed by the hospital or who bill separately. Ask each doctor's billing office about its own discount policy.
Harris Health Financial Assistance Program
The Harris Health Financial Assistance Program (formerly the "Gold Card") is a discount program for Harris County residents. It isn't insurance, and it only applies to care at Harris Health facilities.
Who qualifies
You must live in Harris County.
Household income can't exceed 150% of the federal poverty level.
If you might qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, Marketplace coverage, SSI or similar programs, Harris Health requires you to apply for them too. The Financial Assistance Program is meant as the last payer.
You can apply even if you have insurance. The program may help with services your plan doesn't cover and with deductibles and copays, as allowed.
What you pay if approved
Approved patients pay small copays, and Harris Health says the copay is requested but not required to get care. Its posted copay schedule lists $3 for a clinic visit, $25 for an emergency room visit or day surgery, and $50 for an inpatient stay. Enrollment usually lasts one year.
How to apply
Online: ola.veritysource.com/harris (use Chrome, Edge or Safari).
By mail: Harris Health Financial Assistance Program, P.O. Box 300488, Houston, TX 77230.
Drop-off: eligibility drop boxes at the front doors of Harris Health centers, including Acres Home, Aldine, Baytown, Casa de Amigos, El Franco Lee, Gulfgate, Martin Luther King Jr., Settegast and Strawberry.
Questions or status checks: Eligibility Call Center, 713-566-6509 (weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; fourth Friday of the month 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
Harris Health says applications are processed within 14 days. If you haven't heard back within 21 days, call the Eligibility Call Center. There's no fee to apply. If anyone asks for money to fill out or approve your application, Harris Health says to report it to its Compliance Hotline at 844-565-0621.
Fast-track if you were just discharged
Harris Health offers expedited eligibility for some situations, including patients discharged from Ben Taub or LBJ (or their emergency rooms) within the past 30 days who need follow-up care, patients with a scheduled surgery and patients who need a Harris Health prescription filled. Call 713-566-6509 if one applies to you.
Documents to gather
Harris Health asks for photo ID, proof of a Harris County address dated within the last 60 days (such as a utility bill), gross income for the past 30 days for you, your spouse and household members over 18, and proof of any insurance or Medicaid. Every household member over 18 has to sign the application.
If you're denied
You can appeal by mailing an appeal form within 65 calendar days of your notice to the Eligibility Appeals Committee at the same P.O. Box.
Memorial Hermann Financial Assistance
Memorial Hermann's financial assistance policy covers emergency and medically necessary care at its hospitals.
Free care: family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Discounted care: above 200% and up to 400% of the federal poverty level.
Not covered: cosmetic procedures and care from providers who aren't hospital employees or who bill separately.
To get an application or free help applying, call Patient Business Services at 713-338-5502 or 1-800-526-2121, option 5. You can also ask at a hospital's admitting or registration desk or download the forms at memorialhermann.org/financialassistanceprogram.
Houston Methodist Financial Assistance
Houston Methodist's plain-language summary says:
Free care: family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Discounted care: above 200% and up to 500% of the federal poverty level. The discounted amount can't exceed what the hospital typically gets paid by private insurance and Medicare.
Above 500%: you may still be eligible for discounts.
Payment plans: if you owe a discounted amount, Houston Methodist offers interest-free extended payment options.
Call the Financial Assistance Unit at 877-493-3228 (weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon) or 832-667-5900. Mail completed applications to Houston Methodist Centralized Business Office, Attn: Financial Assistance Unit, 701 S. Fry Road, Katy, TX 77450, or fax them to 832-667-5995.
The Federal Timeline That Protects You
Nonprofit hospitals like Memorial Hermann and Houston Methodist must follow IRS rules under section 501(r) of the tax code:
You get at least 240 days to apply. The application period runs at least 240 days from the first billing statement after discharge.
No extraordinary collection actions for 120 days. The hospital generally can't take steps like reporting you to credit bureaus or suing until at least 120 days after the first post-discharge bill, and it must notify you about its financial assistance policy first.
A complete application pauses collections. If you apply within the application period, the hospital has to decide whether you're eligible before it continues collection actions.
So even if a bill is months old, it's worth applying. Mark the date of your first bill and send your application well before 120 days if you can.
Step-by-Step: What to Do This Week
Ask for an itemized bill from each hospital and doctor's office.
Don't put the bill on a credit card or take out a loan until you know whether you qualify for assistance.
Call the financial assistance office for the hospital that sent the bill and ask for an application.
Apply for Medicaid or other coverage if you might qualify. Harris Health requires it, and coverage could pay the bill outright.
Send everything with copies. Keep a log of who you spoke with and when.
If a bill goes to collections, tell the collector in writing that you've applied for financial assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Harris Health Financial Assistance Program the same as insurance?
No. It's a discount program for care at Harris Health facilities only, for Harris County residents with income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
Can I get free care at Memorial Hermann or Houston Methodist?
Both say eligible emergency and medically necessary care is free if your family income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Discounts are available at higher incomes.
I have insurance. Can I still apply?
Often, yes. Harris Health says its program may help with deductibles, copays and some uncovered services. Ask Memorial Hermann and Houston Methodist about help with balances after insurance.
The bill is already in collections. Is it too late?
Not necessarily. Under IRS rules, nonprofit hospitals must accept applications for at least 240 days after the first post-discharge bill. Call the hospital's financial assistance office right away.
Does Harris Health charge to apply?
No. Harris Health says there's no fee to apply. If anyone asks you for money, report it to its Compliance Hotline at 844-565-0621.
This guide is general information, not legal or medical billing advice. Confirm current eligibility rules directly with each hospital.
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