Kansas City Hospital Bill Help 2026–27: University Health and Saint Luke's Financial Assistance
Updated: Oct 23
University Health and Saint Luke's both offer hospital financial assistance in Kansas City, but they set different rules. Here's who qualifies at each one, how to apply, and the deadline that matters.
AT A GLANCE
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If you owe a Kansas City hospital, start by finding out which system billed you and where you live. The two systems covered here run their programs differently. University Health (the former Truman Medical Centers) bases its assistance on residence in Kansas City, Missouri or Jackson County. Saint Luke's, now part of BJC Health, uses BJC's financial assistance program and an income-based discount schedule.
This guide goes through each one: who qualifies, how to apply, what proof to attach, and the deadline that matters.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Our Editorial Standards explain how this guide was researched.
Policies are revised from time to time, so confirm the current version. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Quick Comparison
University Health | Saint Luke's (BJC) | |
|---|---|---|
Who it's for | Kansas City, MO or Jackson County residents with no other payer source | Patients without insurance or who need help paying |
Income rule | Family income at or below 400% FPL | Full or partial help based on BJC's Income and Discount Schedule |
Services | Emergency and medically necessary care | Bills from Saint Luke's; many outside doctors not covered |
Deadline | Ask a Financial Counseling Center | Within 240 days of the first bill |
University Health
Who Qualifies
University Health's plain-language summary says eligible patients:
received emergency and/or medically necessary services at University Health;
have no other payer source;
submit a Financial Assistance Application;
live in Kansas City, Missouri or Jackson County, Missouri; and
meet the income requirement.
Income. The summary says patients in Kansas City or Jackson County with family income at or below 400% FPL will generally receive financial assistance. Patients with income between 301% and 400% FPL don't get help with retail pharmacy medications.
Presumptive eligibility. University Health's policy says presumptive financial assistance is available to Kansas City or Jackson County residents who are:
currently homeless,
receiving SNAP benefits, or
incarcerated in a Jackson County or Kansas City detention facility.
It's also available to Missouri Medicaid recipients for medically necessary services Medicaid doesn't cover.
Price protection. Once you're found eligible, University Health says you won't be charged more for emergency or medically necessary care than the amounts generally billed to insured patients.
How to Apply
In person at a Financial Counseling Center. Locations listed in the summary include University Health Truman Medical Center, 2301 Holmes, 4th floor; University Health Building 1, 2101 Charlotte, 3rd floor; University Health Lakewood Medical Center, 7900 Lee's Summit Rd., lobby (Bess Truman entrance); and the main lobbies and emergency departments of the main hospitals.
By phone: call (816) 404-3000 to have an application mailed.
Online: complete or download the application on University Health's website.
The policy, billing and collections policy, and application are available in Spanish at those locations.
Saint Luke's (BJC Health)
Who Qualifies
Saint Luke's says BJC financial assistance helps patients who don't have health insurance or who need help paying their bills, with full or partial payment help. It posts an Income and Discount Schedule on its financial assistance page, which sets your discount level by household income and size.
Important limits from Saint Luke's page:
Some doctors affiliated with BJC hospitals don't offer BJC financial assistance.
The policy doesn't cover physicians, surgeons, anesthesiologists, pathologists, emergency physicians, radiologists, or other providers not employed by Saint Luke's. Those bills need their own application.
Saint Luke's posts lists of which practitioners are covered.
Price protection. Saint Luke's says if you qualify, BJC can't charge you more than the amounts generally billed to people with insurance.
How to Apply
Deadline: The BJC application says forms must be submitted within 240 days of the date of initial billing. Don't sit on the bill.
Where to send it (for Saint Luke's hospitals, per the application):
Mail: Saint Luke's, 901 E. 104th St., Attn: Hospital CBO 6th Floor, Kansas City, MO 64131
Email: slhsbilling@saintlukeskc.org
Questions or a copy of the application: Saint Luke's Patient Services at 816-932-5678 or 888-581-9401.
Proof of income. The application says to attach any one of these:
most recent tax return;
most recent W-2 and 1099 forms;
two most recent pay stubs;
written income verification from an employer if you're paid in cash; or
proof of non-filing (IRS Form 4506).
It says income information must be provided to process your application.
Uninsured? Ask for an Estimate
Saint Luke's notes that under federal law, providers must give patients who don't have insurance or aren't using it an estimate for medical items and services. Call 816-932-5678 to request one before scheduled care.
Paying the bill with a credit card first can put it out of reach of hospital financial assistance.
Documents to Gather for Either System
☐ The bill with account number and dates of service.
☐ Photo ID and proof of address (University Health requires Kansas City or Jackson County residency).
☐ Proof of income for the household (see Saint Luke's list above; it's a good list for University Health too).
☐ A SNAP approval letter or Medicaid card if you have one.
☐ Insurance cards and Explanation of Benefits letters, if any.
☐ A list of household members, including dependents on your tax return.
Step-by-Step
Ask for an itemized bill. Check dates, services, and duplicates.
Call billing and say you're applying for financial assistance. Ask them to note the account.
Apply with all proof attached. Missing income proof is the top cause of delays.
Track separate bills. Doctors and other providers may bill separately and need their own application.
Keep copies. Photograph every page before mailing or emailing.
Follow up in two to three weeks.
If denied, ask why in writing, and ask whether partial help, a different discount tier, or a payment plan is available.
Common Mistakes
Missing the 240-day window at Saint Luke's.
Applying to University Health without proof of address. Residency is part of eligibility there.
Assuming the doctor's bill is covered too. Often it isn't.
Leaving out SNAP. At University Health, SNAP can make you presumptively eligible.
Paying with a credit card first. Once it's on a card, hospital assistance can't reduce it.
Ignoring mail. Requests for more information have deadlines.
FAQ
I live in Johnson County, Kansas. Can I get University Health financial assistance? University Health's summary lists residence in Kansas City, Missouri or Jackson County, Missouri as an eligibility requirement. Ask a financial counselor about your options.
What income qualifies at University Health? Generally, family income at or below 400% FPL for Kansas City or Jackson County residents. Above 300%, retail pharmacy medications aren't covered.
How long do I have to apply at Saint Luke's? The BJC application says within 240 days of the date of initial billing.
What proof of income does Saint Luke's accept? Any one of: most recent tax return, W-2 and 1099s, two recent pay stubs, an employer letter if paid in cash, or IRS Form 4506 proof of non-filing.
Can someone help me fill out the University Health application? Yes. University Health's summary says you can get an application and help completing it in person at any of its Financial Counseling Center locations.
I was treated at Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute. Is that the same program? Saint Luke's lists separate financial assistance information for Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute on its financial assistance page. Check that page or call Patient Services at 816-932-5678.
Will I still be charged full price if I qualify? Both systems say eligible patients won't be charged more than the amounts generally billed to insured patients.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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More help in Kansas City
Every guide we have for Kansas City is listed on our Kansas City financial help hub.
Related guides
Official sources
University Health, Financial Assistance: https://www.universityhealthkc.org/patients-visitors/billing-information/financial-assistance/
University Health, Financial Assistance Policy (6-25): https://res.cloudinary.com/dpmykpsih/image/upload/truman-site-261/media/8573711baa9240858f97d76f483d6c2a/financial-assistance-policy-fap-6-25.pdf
University Health, Plain Language Summary (6-25): https://res.cloudinary.com/dpmykpsih/image/upload/truman-site-261/media/7987a3ffbdbf4cb09df4dd58c81e3606/plain-language-summary-6-25.pdf
Saint Luke's, Financial Assistance: https://www.saintlukeskc.org/patients-visitors/financial-assistance
BJC/Saint Luke's, Financial Assistance Application: https://www.saintlukeskc.org/sites/slkc/files/2026-05/3259250-Financial%20Assistance%20Application.pdf
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