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

Official source →Last verified · June 9, 2026

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