Benefits · Healthcare
How to apply for University Health CareLink + 75% Uninsured Standardized Discount
University Health (formerly University Health System) — Bexar County's public hospital system; operates University Hospital (Level I trauma center), the Robert B. Green Campus, and a network of community health clinics; administers CareLink financial assistance for Bexar County residents
Who it's for
University Health (operated by the Bexar County Hospital District) is Bexar County's public hospital system — operating University Hospital (a Level I trauma center and one of the largest hospitals in South Texas), the Robert B. Green Campus, and a network of community health clinics. University Health offers two stacked financial assistance benefits: (1) CareLink, the principal financial assistance program for Bexar County RESIDENTS who are uninsured or underinsured with household income AT OR BELOW 200% of the Federal Poverty Level — provides primary care, specialty care, hospital inpatient and outpatient, emergency care, prescription drugs, behavioral health, and dental services at reduced cost; (2) a UNIVERSAL 75% Uninsured Standardized Discount applied AUTOMATICALLY to ALL uninsured patients at University Health, regardless of financial need or residency — this discount is NOT means-tested and applies to non-Bexar-County uninsured patients as well. The 200% FPL CareLink threshold matches Parkland Dallas's full-care threshold (more generous than Harris Health Houston's 150% FPL gate). Income verification typically requires the most recent federal income tax return, OR three most recent paycheck stubs, OR three most recent bank statements. Apply through University Health at 210-358-3350 or via the financial assistance application at universityhealth.com. Patients may receive financial assistance up to 250% FPL on a sliding-scale basis. The Bexar County Hospital District residency requirement applies only to the CareLink program; the 75% uninsured discount has no residency requirement.
University Health's two-track financial assistance is distinctive: ALL uninsured patients (including non-Bexar residents) receive an AUTOMATIC 75% Uninsured Standardized Discount with no application; CareLink eligible Bexar County residents at 200% FPL receive deeper assistance on top. The 200% FPL CareLink threshold is more generous than Harris Health (150% FPL) and matches Parkland Dallas (200% FPL). University Health uses a 250% FPL outer sliding-scale threshold (versus Parkland's 400% FPL outer threshold) — Parkland's middle-income safety net is broader. Bexar County residency is RIGOROUSLY VERIFIED for CareLink — non-residents (Comal, Guadalupe, Wilson, Atascosa) do not qualify for CareLink. Annual recertification required. For Medicare-eligible Bexar seniors, CareLink provides COMPLEMENTARY coverage for Medicare copays, deductibles, and uncovered services.
What you'll need
- Completed University Health CareLink application
- Proof of all household income — most recent federal income tax return preferred, OR three most recent paycheck stubs, OR three most recent bank statements
- Proof of Bexar County residency (utility bill, lease, or government correspondence)
- Photo identification for the applicant
- Documentation of uninsured or underinsured status (Medicaid denial letter, lack of insurance documentation)
- Documentation of household members (dependents, marriage)
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 210-358-3350
Renewals
annual recertification required
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Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.