Benefits · Healthcare

How to apply for Firelands Health (Sandusky, INDEPENDENT) — Financial Assistance (Erie County)

Erie County hospital safety net: Firelands Health (Firelands Regional Medical Center, Sandusky) — INDEPENDENT 287-bed not-for-profit regional medical center serving Sandusky, Norwalk, Bellevue, and the surrounding Lake Erie region.

Who it's for

Erie County hospital safety net: Erie = Firelands Health (Sandusky, INDEPENDENT 287-bed regional) — the Lake Erie region's anchor. Ohio's Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP) requires hospitals receiving HCAP funds (essentially all Ohio acute-care hospitals) to provide basic, medically necessary hospital-level services free of charge to Ohio residents at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own Financial Assistance Program (typically sliding to 200-400% FPL) layers above HCAP. Apply at the hospital financial counseling office or at https://www.firelands.com/. Phone: 419-557-7400.

Erie: Erie = Firelands Health (Sandusky, INDEPENDENT 287-bed regional) — the Lake Erie region's anchor. Ohio HCAP guarantees free basic hospital-level care at or below 100% FPL; each hospital's own FAP slides above that.

What you'll need

Proof of household income
Proof of Erie County / Ohio 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: 419-557-7400

Renewals

per-encounter or annual

Official source →Last verified · June 13, 2026

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Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.