Benefits · Healthcare
How to apply for Temple Health + Penn Medicine + Jefferson Health + Philadelphia Health Department FQHCs — Charity Care (Philadelphia County)
Multiple Philadelphia hospital systems compete for safety-net delivery: Temple University Hospital (Temple Health, the de facto urban safety-net), Penn Medicine (academic flagship at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania), Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Jefferson Health), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP, pediatric); Philadelphia Department of Public Health operates 8 District Health Centers (Federally Qualified Health Centers) providing primary care regardless of immigration status
Who it's for
Philadelphia's healthcare safety net is competitive: Temple Health serves North Philadelphia as the de facto urban safety-net hospital with the largest charity care commitment; Penn Medicine (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian) is the academic Level 1 trauma flagship; Jefferson Health and CHOP round out the major systems. Each operates Financial Assistance Programs (sliding scale typically to 300-400% FPL). Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) operates 8 District Health Centers as Federally Qualified Health Centers — primary care, dental, behavioral health regardless of immigration status, sliding-scale fees. Apply at any hospital's financial counseling office; Philadelphia 311 routes to PDPH centers.
Philadelphia has 4+ major hospital systems competing — patients have choice in safety-net providers. PDPH District Health Centers operate regardless of immigration status — important for the city's immigrant communities. PA Medicaid ABD is strict (~$989/month), so the FAP/PDPH gap is meaningful for low-income seniors who fall above the Medicaid line.
What you'll need
- Proof of Philadelphia residency (any documentation)
- Proof of household income (or self-attestation)
- Photo identification (any country)
- For hospital FAP: hospital bill or pre-treatment estimate
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 311
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.