Rush: financial assistance and insurance denials

Rush financial assistance at a glance

• Bills can be discounted up to 100% if family income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines.
• Uninsured patients below 200% of the poverty guidelines may get a 100% discount presumptively (other criteria apply).
• Uninsured patients at or below 600% get an 80% discount.
• Underinsured patients between 300% and 400% get an 80% discount.
• Bills may be capped at 20% of household income over a rolling 12 months.
• Apply in MyChart (Billing → Financial Assistance) or by mail.

Questions about the policy: call (312) 942-5967 (Rush University Medical Center and Rush Oak Park); (630) 978-4990 (Rush Copley).

Source: Rush, Financial Assistance, 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.