Benefits · Healthcare
How to apply for Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) + St. Luke's University Health Network — Financial Assistance (Lehigh County)
Two dominant competing systems serve Lehigh County: Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) — academic medical center, operates LVH-Cedar Crest (the academic flagship, Allentown), LVH-Muhlenberg (Bethlehem), and 13+ hospitals across the Lehigh Valley + Poconos + Hazleton region; St. Luke's University Health Network — operates St. Luke's Allentown Campus and several Lehigh Valley facilities. The LVHN/St. Luke's competition mirrors the UPMC/AHN dynamic in SW PA — different hospital networks tied to different insurance products.
Who it's for
Lehigh County's principal community hospital safety net is LVH-Cedar Crest (Allentown, LVHN academic flagship + Level 1 Trauma) + LVH-Muhlenberg (Bethlehem, LVHN); St. Luke's Allentown Campus (St. Luke's University Health Network) are Lehigh's principal community hospitals. LVHN is academic and the dominant Lehigh Valley system; St. Luke's is the major competitor.. Each system operates a Financial Assistance Program (sliding scale typically to 300-400% FPL). Note: PA Medicaid ABD is STRICT (~$989/month), so many low-income seniors fall above Medicaid and rely on hospital FAPs. In the Lehigh Valley + Poconos, the dominant systems are LVHN (academic flagship) and St. Luke's University Health Network — direct competitors tied to different insurance products. Apply at the hospital's financial counseling office or at https://www.lvhn.org/patients-visitors/insurance-billing/financial-assistance. Phone: 610-402-8000.
Lehigh: LVH-Cedar Crest (Allentown, LVHN academic flagship + Level 1 Trauma) + LVH-Muhlenberg (Bethlehem, LVHN); St. Luke's Allentown Campus (St. Luke's University Health Network) are Lehigh's principal community hospitals. LVHN is academic and the dominant Lehigh Valley system; St. Luke's is the major competitor.. LVHN vs. St. Luke's network competition mirrors UPMC vs. AHN dynamic in SW PA.
What you'll need
- Proof of household income
- Proof of Lehigh County / PA 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: 610-402-8000
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.
