Benefits · Healthcare
How to apply for Lima Memorial Putnam County Medical Center + Blanchard Valley (Bluffton) — Financial Assistance (Putnam County)
Putnam County hospital safety net: Putnam County has no standalone acute hospital — residents are served by Lima Memorial Health System's Putnam County Medical Center (Ottawa) plus Blanchard Valley's Ottawa Medical & Diagnostic Center / Bluffton Hospital, with inpatient care at Lima Memorial and Mercy Health St. Rita's (Lima, Allen County) and Blanchard Valley (Findlay, Hancock County).
Who it's for
Putnam County hospital safety net: Putnam = no in-county acute hospital; served by Lima Memorial Putnam County Medical Center (Ottawa) + Blanchard Valley Bluffton, with inpatient care in Lima and Findlay. 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.limamemorial.org/. Phone: 419-523-3215.
Putnam: Putnam = no in-county acute hospital; served by Lima Memorial Putnam County Medical Center (Ottawa) + Blanchard Valley Bluffton, with inpatient care in Lima and Findlay. 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 Putnam 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: 419-523-3215
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.