How to apply for Hospital Financial Assistance (Reachable Hospitals) — Calhoun County

Who it's for

Calhoun County — a narrow peninsula between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers — has NO hospital of its own. The nearest hospitals are Jersey Community Hospital (Jerseyville) and the Alton-area hospitals (OSF Saint Anthony's, Alton Memorial), with St. Louis, Missouri hospitals also reachable by ferry/bridge. Each offers a Charity Care / financial-assistance program with discounts on a sliding scale. DISTINCTIVE to Illinois: state law (the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act + Fair Patient Billing Act) REQUIRES hospitals to provide financial assistance — uninsured patients at or below 200% (rural/critical-access) or 300% (urban) of the Federal Poverty Level generally receive free care, with capped discounts above that. Most Illinois hospitals have a robust charity-care policy as a result. Reach Jersey Community Hospital at 618-498-6402.

What you'll need

• Proof of household income
• Proof of Calhoun County / Illinois residency
• Photo identification
• Proof of uninsured status or insurance gap
• Hospital bill or pre-treatment estimate

Where to apply

Renewals

per-encounter or annual