Northwestern Medicine: financial assistance and insurance denials

Northwestern Medicine financial assistance at a glance

• Free care if household income is 2.5 times the federal poverty level or less (uninsured and insured patients).
• Care at lower rates for income between 2.5 and 6 times the federal poverty level.
• Assets such as cash or investments may be considered.
• Financial assistance does not cover out-of-network services, and some physicians bill separately and may not participate.
• Apply as soon as possible; if you disagree with the decision, contact Financial Counseling.

Questions about the policy: call 800-423-0523, option 5.

Source: Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Financial Assistance Plain Language Summary, checked 2026-10-17

The Illinois minimum

Whatever the hospital’s own policy says, the Illinois Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act sets a floor for uninsured Illinois residents:

• Uninsured Illinois residents with family income up to 200% of the federal poverty level get a 100% discount on medically necessary care at non-rural hospitals.
• Uninsured residents with income up to 600% of the federal poverty level qualify for a discount on bills over $150 per visit.
• A hospital may collect no more than 20% of family income in a 12-month period from an eligible uninsured patient (assets may be considered).
• Rural and Critical Access Hospitals use different thresholds.

Source: Illinois Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act, checked 2026-10-17

If your insurance denied the claim

Financial assistance lowers what the hospital charges you; it does not change what your insurer owes. If the insurer denied the claim — “not medically necessary”, out-of-network, missing prior authorization — you can appeal. Deadlines depend on the plan: 180 days for most job-based and Marketplace plans, 65 days for Medicare Advantage, 60 days for Illinois Medicaid plans.