UChicago Medicine: financial assistance and insurance denials

UChicago Medicine financial assistance at a glance

• Household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level: 100% discount.
• Income above 200% and below 600%: 80% discount.
• If a year of UChicago Medicine bills reaches 20% of annual adjusted gross income, you pay no more than 20% of income.
• Discounts apply to emergency and medically necessary care, not cosmetic procedures.
• Apply in MyChart or by mail; a written decision usually comes within 10 business days after all documents are received.

Questions about the policy: call 773-702-2466 or 1-844-843-3594.

Source: UChicago Medicine, 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.