Benefits · Healthcare
How to apply for UC Health + TriHealth + Mercy Health + Christ Hospital — Financial Assistance (Hamilton County)
Hamilton County hospital safety net: UC Health (University of Cincinnati Medical Center — academic trauma flagship), TriHealth (Good Samaritan + Bethesda North), Mercy Health Cincinnati (Bon Secours Mercy Health — the largest US Catholic system is HEADQUARTERED in Cincinnati), Christ Hospital Health Network (INDEPENDENT, consistently top-ranked Cincinnati hospital), Cincinnati Children's (top-ranked pediatric). Distinctive — FOUR competing adult systems plus the Bon Secours Mercy national headquarters in one county.
Who it's for
Hamilton County hospital safety net: Hamilton = UC Health (academic trauma) + TriHealth + Mercy Health (Bon Secours Mercy national HQ city) + Christ Hospital (INDEPENDENT) — four-system competition in Cincinnati. 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.uchealth.com/financial/financial-assistance/. Phone: 513-585-6200.
Hamilton: Hamilton = UC Health (academic trauma) + TriHealth + Mercy Health (Bon Secours Mercy national HQ city) + Christ Hospital (INDEPENDENT) — four-system competition in Cincinnati. 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 Hamilton 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: 513-585-6200
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.