Benefits · Healthcare

How to apply for Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) — Financial Assistance (Erie County)

Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMC) — public benefit corporation operating the Erie County Medical Center; Level 1 trauma + adult psychiatric + safety-net hospital for Erie County and the broader Western NY region. Kaleida Health (Buffalo General + Millard Fillmore Suburban + Oishei Children's + DeGraff Memorial — independent system) and Catholic Health (Mercy Hospital + Sisters of Charity + Kenmore Mercy — Catholic system) are the other major Buffalo hospital systems. Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (NCI-designated) for oncology.

Who it's for

Erie County's principal community hospital safety net is ECMC (Buffalo) — Level 1 trauma + public safety-net for Erie; Kaleida Health (Buffalo General academic + Millard Fillmore Suburban + Oishei Children's), Catholic Health (Mercy + Sisters of Charity), and Roswell Park Cancer Center are the other major Erie hospitals. The Financial Assistance Program covers uninsured/underinsured residents — sliding scale typically discounts charges up to 100% at the lower income brackets with reduced rates above. Note: NY Medicaid ABD's ~138% FPL gate means many Western NY seniors qualify for Medicaid and would access these hospitals through Medicaid rather than FAP. Apply at the hospital's financial counseling office or at https://www.ecmc.edu/patients-and-visitors/billing-information/financial-assistance/. Phone: 716-898-3000.

Erie: ECMC (Buffalo) — Level 1 trauma + public safety-net for Erie; Kaleida Health (Buffalo General academic + Millard Fillmore Suburban + Oishei Children's), Catholic Health (Mercy + Sisters of Charity), and Roswell Park Cancer Center are the other major Erie hospitals. NY Medicaid ABD's ~138% FPL gate covers many seniors; FAP fills the gap.

What you'll need

Proof of household income
Proof of Erie County / NY 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: 716-898-3000

Renewals

per-encounter or annual

Official source →Last verified · June 8, 2026

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