Benefits · Healthcare
How to apply for Methodist Hospitals (Gary safety-net) + Community Healthcare System + Franciscan Health — Financial Assistance (Lake County)
Lake County hospital safety net: Methodist Hospitals (Gary + Merrillville campuses — a 562-bed not-for-profit and the region's safety-net anchor for the underserved); Community Healthcare System (the largest system in Lake County — Community Hospital in Munster, St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart); and Franciscan Health (Crown Point, Dyer, Hammond, Munster).
Who it's for
Lake County hospital safety net: Lake = Methodist Hospitals (Gary/Merrillville, 562-bed safety-net anchor) + Community Healthcare System (largest: Munster/East Chicago/Hobart) + Franciscan Health (Crown Point/Dyer/Hammond) — a three-system Calumet-region market. Indiana hospitals do not have a single state-mandated charity-care law (unlike New Jersey); each runs its own Financial Assistance Program, typically a sliding scale to 200-300% of the Federal Poverty Level, and non-profit hospitals must offer one. Apply at the hospital financial counseling office or at https://methodisthospitals.org/. Phone: 219-886-4000.
Lake: Lake = Methodist Hospitals (Gary/Merrillville, 562-bed safety-net anchor) + Community Healthcare System (largest: Munster/East Chicago/Hobart) + Franciscan Health (Crown Point/Dyer/Hammond) — a three-system Calumet-region market. Each hospital runs its own Financial Assistance Program (no Indiana state-mandated charity-care law).
What you'll need
- Proof of household income
- Proof of Lake County / Indiana 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: 219-886-4000
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.