These are the legal provisions related to hospital financial assistance/charity care in the state of Washington. This is intended for educational use and should not be treated as legal advice.
Is there a state charity care law?
Yes, Washington has its own law.
Qualifications for charity care in Washington
Does the law specify a minimum Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for charity care?
Washington's law regarding minimum FPL is as follows: Large hospitals or hospitals in large counties must provide 100% assistance for patients up to 300% FPL, 75% assistance for patients between 301–350% FPL, or 50% assistance for patients between 351–400% FPL for all medically necessary or emergency care. All other hospitals must provide 100% assistance for patients up to 200% FPL, 75% assistance for patients between 201–250% FPL, or 50% assistance for patients 251–300% FPL.
Does the law specify a minimum deadline for applying for charity care?
No, Washington law does not specify a minimum deadline, so federal law would apply.
Federal law specifies a minimum application deadline of 240 days from the date the hospital sent the first post discharge statement/bill.
Does the law specify that having insurance disqualifies a patient for charity care?
Washington law explicitly requires hospitals to provide assistance to the insured.
Does the law specify that patients must be residents to be eligible for charity care?
Some hospitals do, but state law implies this is illegal.
Does the law specify that patients must be US citizens or documented immigrants/lawful permanent residents to be eligible for charity care?
Washington law explicitly requires hospitals to provide assistance regardless of immigration status.
Does the law specify that patients must owe a minimum bill amount in order to be eligible for charity care?
Washington law explicitly states that hospitals may not impose a minimum bill requirement.
How the law applies to copays in Washington
Does the law specify that patients cannot be responsible for a copay if they are eligible for charity care?
Washington prohibits requiring a copay for emergency services.
Does the law specify that hospitals cannot deny financial assistance to cover patient copays, coinsurance, or deductibles?
Washington prohibits requiring a copay for emergency services.
Collections laws related to charity care in Washington
Does the law specify that hospitals cannot deny financial assistance to cover patient copays, coinsurance, or deductibles?
Yes. However, hospitals must make every reasonable effort to determine a patient's eligibility for charity care before any collection efforts, and a nonprofit hospital must wait 120 days after sending the first post-discharge bill to refer a case to debt collection.
Length of time charity care can be applied to future bills in Washington
Does the law specify that hospitals must honor a charity care decision for future bills for a specific length of time?
Washington law does not address this matter, so federal law would apply.
Federal law does not directly address this. Nonprofit hospitals are simply required to follow their financial assistance policy.