Benefits · Healthcare

How to apply for Scott County Hospital Reach (Jacksonville Memorial + Springfield) — Financial Assistance (Scott County)

Illinois hospital financial assistance

Who it's for

Scott County hospital safety net: Winchester has no in-county acute hospital; residents are served by Jacksonville Memorial Hospital (Memorial Health, Morgan County) and the Springfield medical hub. Memorial Health offers a Patient Financial Assistance / Community Care program with free or discounted care for low-income and uninsured 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 at the hospital financial counseling office or at https://www.memorial.health/patients-and-visitors/billing-and-insurance/financial-assistance. Phone: 217-245-9541.

Scott: Scott = no in-county hospital; Jacksonville Memorial + Springfield (Memorial Health) reach. Illinois LAW mandates hospital financial assistance (free care to ~200-300% FPL).

What you'll need

  • Proof of household income
  • Proof of Scott 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: 217-245-9541

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.