Benefits · Healthcare

How to apply for Fairfield Medical Center (Lancaster, INDEPENDENT) — Financial Assistance (Fairfield County)

Fairfield County hospital safety net: Fairfield Medical Center (Lancaster) — INDEPENDENT not-for-profit community health system, the county's anchor hospital. Northern Fairfield County (Pickerington/Canal Winchester) also reaches Columbus systems (Mount Carmel, OhioHealth, OSU Wexner East).

Who it's for

Fairfield County hospital safety net: Fairfield = Fairfield Medical Center (Lancaster, INDEPENDENT) holding its own against three Columbus systems to the northwest. 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.fmchealth.org/. Phone: 740-687-8000.

Fairfield: Fairfield = Fairfield Medical Center (Lancaster, INDEPENDENT) holding its own against three Columbus systems to the northwest. 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 Fairfield 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: 740-687-8000

Renewals

per-encounter or annual

Official source →Last verified · June 12, 2026

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