You can also apply for cash from government welfare programs. Both the federal and state governments have programs to financially help low-income households. Some of these programs include providing free or low-cost health insurance or even cash benefits, such as grants from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Programs like TANF give low-income households with limited resources monthly payments to pay for basic needs, like housing and food. You may be able to use these funds (or the cash you would normally put towards those expenses) for medical bills.

3
Federal Grants to Help Pay Medical Bills
federal grants pay medical bills

The federal government provides medical assistance to those in need. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) oversees the program, but each state government runs the medical assistance programs.

Since the program focuses on helping low- to moderate-income households, the amount of assistance you receive depends on factors like:

  • Household income.
  • The number of family members in your household.
  • The average salary of your area.
  • Your health insurance information.

The program has more lenient requirements for children than adults. Even if a parent is not eligible for financial assistance, their children may qualify. 

You can apply for government assistance through the website of most states. At the least, you can find more information about state-run programs to help with health care costs. 

The DHHS developed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act in response to the pandemic. The program provides reimbursement for medical care. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act funds hospitals and medical staff to provide care for uninsured and underinsured patients.

This means that facilities that participate in the program and receive funds cannot bill uninsured patients for seeking covered services. Keep in mind that grants will not cover elected medical procedures, like cosmetic surgery.

Additionally, The Provider Relief Fund helps health care workers and patients cover expenses relating to the COVID-19 outbreak. Medical providers can submit revenue information to request reimbursement, like for free vaccines.

Patients with insurance coverage may receive COVID-19 without the usual cost-sharing requirements. Companies like the Blue Cross Blue Shield system, Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealth Group agreed to waive members’ cost-sharing payments for COVID-19 treatment.

Uninsured and underinsured patients who required COVID-19 treatment should verify that their provider submitted a claim to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The provider may need to reimburse patients who already paid their bills.   

You can apply for multiple grants to cover all of your medical debt. Federal and state grants can help reduce upcoming medical costs, but local medical grants can reimburse you for the debt you have from health care expenses.

By Admin