Benefits · Healthcare
How to apply for DeSoto Memorial Hospital — Charity Care + Financial Assistance Program
DeSoto Memorial Hospital (DMH) — independent community hospital at 900 N Robert Avenue, Arcadia FL 34266; serves DeSoto County and parts of surrounding rural Heartland Florida; administers a Charity Care and Financial Assistance Program for uninsured/underinsured patients with income at or below the federal poverty level
Who it's for
DeSoto Memorial Hospital (DMH) is the primary community hospital in DeSoto County, located in Arcadia. DMH operates a Charity Care and Financial Assistance Program for uninsured or underinsured patients. Eligibility requires income at or below the U.S. federal poverty level (100% FPL) AND ineligibility for government assistance (such as Medicaid). Qualifying patients receive a sliding-scale discount — payments may be as low as 10% of charges based on household income. Patients above the 100% FPL threshold but with significant bills may qualify for a CarePayment Plan (balances under $5,000, 25-month term at 0% interest), or for a custom payment plan with a DMH financial counselor (balances over $5,000). To apply, complete and submit the Income Certification Statement and the Charity/Financial Assistance Application either in person at DMH or by mail to DMH, Attn. Patient Accounts, P.O. Box 2177, Arcadia, FL 34265. Call the DMH Business Office / Financial Counselor at 863-494-8420 for questions. For tertiary care beyond DMH's service capability, patients are typically referred to Sarasota Memorial (Sarasota County) or Lee Health (Lee County) — coordinate transit via fl.desoto.dart_transit.
DMH's Charity Care threshold of 100% FPL is STRICTER than the standard 200% FPL community-hospital threshold modeled across most of the FL catalog — full charity care is only available to households at or below the federal poverty level. Households between 100% and 200% FPL may still qualify for sliding-scale discounts but at a less generous tier than peer hospitals like Lee Health (which uses a more generous threshold). The CarePayment Plan (0% interest for 25 months on balances under $5,000) is a meaningful additional benefit for households who don't qualify for charity care but face hardship. For DeSoto seniors, the primary DMH access pathway is via DART (fl.desoto.dart_transit) for routine visits; for tertiary care referrals, coordinate transit via DART regional connectivity to Sarasota Memorial or Lee Health.
What you'll need
- Completed DMH Income Certification Statement (English or Spanish version available)
- Completed DMH Charity/Financial Assistance Application
- Proof of all household income (Social Security award letter, pension statement, pay stubs, SSI award letter, tax return)
- Proof of insurance status (Medicaid denial letter, lack of insurance documentation)
- Photo identification
- Proof of DeSoto County or service-area residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence)
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 863-494-8420
Renewals
per encounter; documentation refresh required for ongoing care
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.