Benefits · Healthcare
How to apply for Touchette Regional + Memorial Belleville (BJC) — Financial Assistance (St. Clair County)
St. Clair County hospital safety net: Touchette Regional Hospital (Cahokia Heights / East St. Louis) is the PUBLIC SAFETY-NET hospital — free emergency and medically necessary care for patients at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Memorial Hospital Belleville (BJC HealthCare) is the county's dominant anchor, and HSHS St. Elizabeth's (O'Fallon) also serves the county; many residents also use the BJC / SSM / SLU systems across the river in St. Louis. (Illinois hospital financial assistance)
Who it's for
St. Clair County hospital safety net: St. Clair = Touchette Regional (East St. Louis safety-net, free ≤200% FPL) + Memorial Belleville (BJC) + HSHS St. Elizabeth's. 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://touchette.org/financial-assistance. Phone: 618-332-5389.
St. Clair: St. Clair = Touchette Regional (East St. Louis safety-net, free ≤200% FPL) + Memorial Belleville (BJC) + HSHS St. Elizabeth's. Illinois LAW mandates hospital financial assistance (free care to ~200-300% FPL).
What you'll need
- Proof of household income
- Proof of St. Clair 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: 618-332-5389
Renewals
per-encounter or annual
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.