How to apply for OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center (Ottawa / Peru) — Financial Assistance (LaSalle County)

Who it's for

LaSalle County's hospital is OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center, with campuses in Ottawa and Peru — part of OSF HealthCare, the dominant hospital system for the Illinois Valley (OSF acquired the former St. Margaret's hospitals in Peru and Spring Valley). It provides emergency, inpatient, surgical, and outpatient services. OSF offers a Financial Assistance / Charity Care program with discounts on a sliding scale for income-eligible patients. 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 through OSF Patient Financial Services (855-673-2240) or at https://www.osfhealthcare.org/billing/financial-assistance/.

What you'll need

• Proof of household income
• Proof of LaSalle 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