Benefits · Healthcare

How to apply for SIH Herrin Hospital + Heartland Regional (Marion) + Marion VA — Financial Assistance (Williamson County)

Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) — Illinois hospital financial assistance

Who it's for

Williamson County hospital safety net: SIH Herrin Hospital (Herrin, part of Southern Illinois Healthcare) is the county's nonprofit anchor, with Heartland Regional Medical Center (Marion) and the Marion VA Medical Center (Veterans Health Administration, for eligible veterans) also serving the county; the SIH flagship (Memorial Hospital of Carbondale) is a short drive west. SIH's Healthcare Assistance Program (HAP) provides discounts on a sliding scale up to 100% of hospital charges 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 SIH Patient Financial Services (1-800-457-1393) or at https://www.sih.net/patients-and-visitors/financial-resources/healthcare-assistance-program.

Williamson = SIH Herrin Hospital (Herrin) + Heartland Regional (Marion) + Marion VA; SIH Memorial Carbondale nearby. HAP sliding scale to 100%. Illinois LAW mandates financial assistance (free care to ~200-300% FPL).

What you'll need

  • Proof of household income
  • Proof of Williamson 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: 800-457-1393

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.