Benefits · Healthcare

How to apply for Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center (Mattoon) — Financial Assistance (Coles County)

Illinois hospital financial assistance

Who it's for

Coles County hospital safety net: Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center (Mattoon) is the county's anchor — a regional not-for-profit hospital that also serves the surrounding rural counties. Households at or below 204% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for FREE care, and families up to 322% qualify for discounted care. 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. Apply at the hospital financial counseling office or at https://www.sarahbush.org/billinginformation/. Phone: 217-258-2525.

Coles: Coles = Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center (Mattoon) — free care ≤204% FPL, discounts to 322%; the regional anchor. Illinois LAW mandates hospital financial assistance (free care to ~200-300% FPL).

What you'll need

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

Where to apply

Apply online: official application

By phone: 217-258-2525

Renewals

per-encounter or annual

Official source →Last verified · June 14, 2026

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Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.