“Mercy” covers several distinct health systems across the United States, each with its own financial assistance policy — yet all of them share the same core principle: no patient is refused medically necessary care because of an inability to pay. This guide covers what each system offers, who qualifies, and exactly what to do when a bill arrives that you cannot afford.
There is no single national “Mercy” financial assistance program — the name covers multiple independent health systems, each with their own application, phone number, and income tables. But they all share the same founding mission and similar eligibility structures. These are the most common questions, answered plainly.
1 I have insurance but my out-of-pocket costs are crushing me. Can I still get Mercy financial assistance? Yes — Mercy programs explicitly cover underinsured patients, not just those with no insurance at all. If your copays, deductibles, and coinsurance are creating genuine hardship, you may qualify for assistance on those remaining costs after insurance pays. ▼
2 Can Mercy come after me legally — garnish my wages, put a lien on my house — if I don’t pay? No. Every Mercy system explicitly prohibits wage garnishments, liens on primary residences, and asset repossessions as collection tools. They must make reasonable efforts to determine your eligibility for financial assistance before any collection action begins, and extraordinary collection actions are off the table. ▼
3 I don’t have my tax return. Can I still apply? Yes. Mercy accepts alternative income documentation including 60 days of pay stubs, benefit award letters, and Social Security statements. If you didn’t file taxes, you’ll need an IRS Verification of Non-Filing letter — available free at IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-908-9946. ▼
4 Does financial assistance only apply to hospital stays, or does it cover clinic and urgent care visits too? It covers both — hospital and clinic services are included under most Mercy financial assistance policies. Urgent care has a separate policy in some Mercy systems, sometimes with a more generous free-care threshold (300% FPL at some Bon Secours Mercy urgent care locations versus 200% FPL for hospitals). ▼
5 What if I already signed up for a payment plan — can I still apply for financial assistance? Yes. Being on a payment plan does not disqualify you from applying for financial assistance. If approved, the assistance would be applied to reduce your outstanding balance, and your payment plan would be adjusted accordingly. Apply regardless of any existing payment arrangement. ▼
6 Does Mercy financial assistance have any citizenship or residency requirements? Mercy’s standard hospital policy does not discriminate based on citizenship or immigration status. The Mercy NHSC clinic program explicitly states that Social Security Number is not required and citizenship status is not a determining factor. Residency in the local service area is generally required. ▼
7 I might qualify for Medicaid but I haven’t applied. Does Mercy require me to try Medicaid first? Yes — Mercy requires that uninsured patients first be screened for Medicaid and other government programs. This isn’t punitive; Medicaid may cover far more than Mercy’s financial assistance program would. Mercy will help you with the Medicaid screening process — it’s part of their standard intake. ▼
“Mercy” is not one organization — it’s a name shared by several separate Catholic health systems with different ownership, different service regions, and different financial assistance contacts. Identifying your specific Mercy is step one, because the application form, phone number, and income tables are different for each.
The Mercy system based in Chesterfield, Missouri, operates hospitals and clinics across Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas. This is the Mercy most people in those states encounter. Their financial assistance policy was updated effective February 1, 2026 and covers both hospital and clinic services. Eligibility is based solely on household income and family size. Social Security Number is not required for NHSC clinic locations, and citizenship status does not affect eligibility. Apply online, in person at any Mercy location, or mail your application to 1730 E Portland St., Springfield, MO. Customer service: 855-420-7900.
Formed from the merger of Bon Secours Health System and Mercy Health, this is one of the largest Catholic health systems in the country with approximately 49 hospitals across Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, and South Carolina. Their Healthcare Financial Assistance (HFA) policy covers both insured and underinsured patients, with 100% free care at or below 200% FPL and sliding-scale discounts to 400% FPL. The system explicitly prohibits wage garnishments and bank garnishments. Applications are accepted at any Bon Secours Mercy Health location or by phone. Call 877-918-5400 for all locations.
MercyOne operates hospitals and health centers across Iowa through a partnership with Trinity Health. Their financial assistance program is specifically for patients in their Iowa service area. MercyOne’s policy is among the most protective: they will not pursue legal judgments, place liens on property, or report patients to credit bureaus while a financial assistance application is being processed or granted. Applications are available in multiple languages and can be downloaded from their website or requested by calling their Patient Business Services Center. Each MercyOne location has its own contact number for assistance.
Mercyhealth serves communities in Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Their financial assistance program covers qualifying patients for hospital services, with sliding-scale discounts based on income. Illinois residents have additional state law protections. Illinois hospitals are prohibited from initiating collection activity within 150 days of billing and cannot report medical debt to credit bureaus within that window. Call 608-741-7630 or 866-269-7115 for Wisconsin hospital services. For Illinois locations in Winnebago and McHenry counties: 866-269-7115. For Stephenson County (Freeport): 815-599-7950.
Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore operates independently and has its own financial assistance program for patients in the Baltimore area. The program covers uninsured and underinsured patients who are ineligible for government-sponsored health programs. A sliding scale is used based on current income guidelines. Maryland law provides additional patient protections including limits on medical debt collection practices. For financial assistance questions and applications, call 410-951-1700. Applications and plain language summaries are available on their website at mdmercy.com.
Separate from MercyOne, Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids has its own financial assistance policy. Their program covers uninsured and underinsured patients who are ineligible for government healthcare programs and cannot pay based on demonstrated financial need. Mercy Cedar Rapids will not impose wage garnishments, liens on primary residences, or other legal actions before first determining whether the patient is eligible for financial assistance. Contact the Revenue Cycle Department at 701 Tenth Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403, or call 319-369-4505 for financial assistance questions.
While each Mercy system has its own specific thresholds, all of them use the Federal Poverty Level as the measuring stick, all cover both uninsured and underinsured patients, and all prohibit discriminatory eligibility criteria. These are the rules that apply everywhere.
- You have no health insurance and your income is at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level for your household size.
- You have insurance but your out-of-pocket costs — copays, deductibles, coinsurance — exceed your ability to pay after insurance has applied its portion.
- You’ve exhausted your insurance benefits or your insurance does not cover the specific medically necessary service you received.
- You’re enrolled in SNAP, WIC, SSI, or other public assistance programs — many Mercy systems use this as a basis for presumptive eligibility, meaning you may be approved without submitting a full application.
- Your medical expenses are disproportionate to your income — even patients above standard income thresholds may qualify if a single episode of care creates exceptional hardship.
- Cosmetic procedures — elective cosmetic surgery and non-medically necessary aesthetic treatments are explicitly excluded.
- Dental, vision, and hearing services — these are categorically excluded from “medically necessary” care under Mercy’s definitions and require separate financial assistance from dental or vision-specific programs.
- Special pricing packages — if you negotiated a special package rate for a procedure, that package price cannot simultaneously be subject to financial assistance.
- Physician fees at some community hospital locations — the hospital’s own financial assistance does not always extend to the physicians working there (anesthesiologists, radiologists, ER physicians). You may need to contact those physicians’ practices separately.
Several Mercy systems use presumptive eligibility screening — an automated or interview-based process that can approve you for financial assistance without requiring the full documentation package. This typically applies when you’re already enrolled in other assistance programs (SNAP, Medicaid even if recently disenrolled, WIC, SSI), when you’ve been approved for financial assistance at Mercy before, or when your income level is clearly below the free-care threshold. When you call to ask about financial assistance, mention any government programs you receive — it may trigger a faster approval path. Bon Secours Mercy Health specifically performs presumptive screening approximately 90 to 100 days after service, meaning some patients are approved automatically without ever filing an application.
The Federal Poverty Level is the measuring stick all Mercy systems use. The 2026 FPL baseline is approximately $15,960 for a single person, with roughly $5,680 added per additional household member. Here is what the typical Mercy discount structure looks like at each income tier.
| Income Level | Approx. Annual Income (1 Person) | What You Pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| At or below 100% FPL | Up to ~$15,960 | 100% free in most systems; HCAP in Ohio | Medicaid screening required; may qualify for Medicaid directly |
| 101% – 200% FPL | ~$16,120 – $31,920 | 100% free at most Mercy hospitals | Bon Secours Mercy and most Mercy systems: full charity care at this range |
| 201% – 300% FPL | ~$32,080 – $47,880 | Sliding-scale discount — pay significantly less than full rate | Specific discount % set annually per market; never charged above AGB rate |
| 301% – 400% FPL | ~$48,040 – $63,840 | Smaller sliding-scale discount — AGB rate applies | Pay no more than insured patient rates; still meaningful savings vs. list price |
| Over 400% FPL | Over ~$63,840 | AGB rate — no income-based assistance, but still below list price | Request the uninsured/AGB rate explicitly; exceptional hardship reviews possible |
| Urgent Care (Bon Secours Mercy) | Up to ~$47,880 (300% FPL) | 100% free — more generous than hospital threshold | BSMH urgent care has separate, more generous free-care threshold |
For a family of four, multiply these figures: 200% FPL ≈ $66,000, 300% FPL ≈ $99,000, 400% FPL ≈ $132,000. Add approximately $5,680 per additional household member beyond four. All figures are gross income (before taxes). Exact discount percentages within the 201–400% FPL range are updated annually by each Mercy region and vary by location. Confirm current thresholds by calling your specific Mercy facility.
The Amounts Generally Billed rate is the average amount Medicare and commercial insurers actually pay for the same services — significantly lower than the “chargemaster” list price that appears on an initial bill. Federal law requires all nonprofit hospitals to cap what they charge financially eligible patients at the AGB rate. Even if your income is above 400% FPL, you can request the AGB rate as an uninsured patient — it’s typically 30–60% below the standard list price. Call your Mercy billing department and say: “I’d like to be charged the Amounts Generally Billed rate as an uninsured patient.”
- Most recent federal tax return (Form 1040) — all pages, for all household members. Self-employed patients must also include Schedule C showing business income and losses.
- Last 60 days of pay stubs — for every employed adult in the household. If your income has changed since your last tax return, this documentation takes priority.
- Government benefit letters — Social Security award letters, SSI/SSDI determination letters, SNAP benefit notices, unemployment statements, pension award letters, workers’ compensation documentation.
- Photo ID — a driver’s license, state-issued ID, or other government-issued photo identification. Note: at NHSC clinic locations under Mercy (AR/OK/MO), photo ID and SSN are requested but not required.
- Proof of residence — a utility bill, lease, or official mail showing your address. Residency in the service area is generally required.
- Your Mercy account or bill — the specific bill or account number for the services you’re seeking assistance on.
If you were not required to file a federal tax return, request an IRS Verification of Non-Filing letter by calling 1-800-908-9946 or by completing Form 4506-T at IRS.gov. This letter confirms to Mercy that no tax return is on file for that year. Submit this along with whatever income documentation you do have — benefit award letters, bank statements, or a written explanation of your income situation. Mercy Springfield’s application specifically references the 4506-T by name. Allow 5–10 days for the IRS to process and mail the letter, so request it before you gather the rest of your documents.
Mercy’s definition of household income is broad. It includes wages and salaries, tips, unemployment compensation, workers’ compensation, Social Security retirement benefits, SSDI, SSI, pension income, interest and dividend income, rental income, alimony, and child support. Many patients assume SSI or SSDI won’t push them over the threshold — these are counted just like earned income. Household size matters significantly — a household of four earning $60,000 is well below the 200% FPL free-care threshold, while a single person at the same income is above it. List all household members accurately; the calculation is per-person, not an absolute dollar figure.
Mercy accepts applications before, during, and after your care — and after a bill arrives. The most important thing is to apply promptly rather than waiting. Processing typically takes 10 to 30 business days after a complete application is received.
The first call is the most important. It identifies which specific Mercy system you’re dealing with, starts the Medicaid screening process (mandatory before financial assistance can be granted to uninsured patients), and connects you with a financial counselor who can walk you through the documentation requirements for your specific situation. Tell the counselor: your household size, a rough estimate of your annual gross income, whether you have insurance, and why you’re requesting assistance — job loss, medical emergency, or high ongoing medical costs. This information starts the evaluation before you’ve even submitted the application form. Use the phone numbers listed in the “Which Mercy?” section above for your specific system.
Every Mercy system emphasizes the same thing: incomplete applications cause delays and can result in denial or forwarding to collections. If supporting documentation is missing, the Springfield Mercy policy gives you 7 days to submit the missing items — after which normal collections proceed. Mercy Medical Center Cedar Rapids requires patient cooperation and submission of all requested information. Submit everything together: completed application form, tax return or 4506-T, 60 days of pay stubs for all employed household members, and all applicable benefit letters. Applications can be submitted online through the system’s patient portal, in person at any Mercy location, by mail to the appropriate address, or by fax.
Processing time is typically 10 business days at Mercy (AR/OK/MO) and up to 30 days at some Bon Secours Mercy locations. You will receive written notification of the decision. If approved, the specific discount level and period covered will be described. If denied, you’ll receive the reason for denial. A denial is not necessarily final — if it was due to missing documents, you can resubmit. If your income has changed since you applied (job loss, medical emergency that changed your circumstances), explain that change explicitly in a written appeal. Contact the financial counselor who handled your application directly rather than starting over with a general customer service line.
Call the financial assistance line for your specific Mercy system immediately — use the numbers listed under “Which Mercy?” above. Tell them you’re uninsured, give your household size and rough income, and ask to start the Medicaid screening and financial assistance application simultaneously. While you’re on the phone, ask whether you qualify for presumptive eligibility based on any other benefit programs you receive. Cooperate fully with the Medicaid screening — if you qualify for Medicaid, it may provide comprehensive ongoing coverage, not just a one-time bill reduction. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid, that determination strengthens your Mercy financial assistance application. Gather your tax return, 60 days of pay stubs, and any benefit letters before your follow-up appointment. If your income is at or below 200% FPL, you may qualify for 100% free care. Apply before the account is 240 days old from your first billing statement.
When you call, say explicitly: “I have insurance, but I am underinsured — my out-of-pocket costs are creating serious financial hardship.” This terminology matters because it signals to the financial counselor that you’re applying as an underinsured patient rather than an uninsured one, and triggers the appropriate eligibility pathway. Gather documentation of what your insurance has and has not covered: your Explanation of Benefits statements, the remaining balance you owe, and evidence that this balance is disproportionate to your income. Bon Secours Mercy Health explicitly accommodates underinsured patients on their remaining out-of-pocket costs including copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. If your remaining balance exceeds 25% of your annual income, mention that specifically — some systems have catastrophic hardship provisions that apply at that threshold regardless of standard income eligibility.
Probably not. The standard window is 240 days from the date of your first billing statement. Measure from that date on your first bill — not from when collections started. While an application is pending, Mercy is prohibited from pursuing extraordinary collection actions (wage garnishments, property liens). Apply online or by phone immediately and document the submission date. Tell the collections department directly that you have submitted a financial assistance application and request that they note it on your account. If the 240-day window has passed, call the financial counselor anyway and explain your circumstances — some situations receive case-by-case review even after the standard window. Keep in mind MercyOne (Iowa) will not report patients to credit bureaus while an application is active or while assistance is being granted.
Mercy’s policies are explicit: immigration status is not a factor in financial assistance eligibility. The Bon Secours Mercy Health policy specifically lists “national origin” and “citizenship” as factors that cannot be used to deny assistance. At NHSC clinic locations under Mercy (AR/OK/MO), the policy goes even further — Social Security Number is explicitly optional and citizenship status is explicitly stated not to be a determining factor. If you encounter a staff member who suggests otherwise, ask to speak with a financial counselor supervisor and reference the Mercy financial assistance policy directly. You have the same right to apply and be evaluated as any other patient.
Medicare Part A and B leave gaps — deductibles, coinsurance, services not covered — that can add up quickly on a fixed income. Mercy’s financial assistance programs are open to seniors whose income (including Social Security) falls within the qualifying range. Count your total gross Social Security benefit and any other income sources — pension, part-time work, investment income — as your household income for the application. If your total gross income is at or below 200% FPL for your household size, you may qualify for completely free care. A single senior receiving $18,000 per year in Social Security, for example, is well within the 200% FPL free-care threshold. Call your Mercy system’s financial assistance line and ask a financial counselor to run the numbers for your specific situation. Also ask whether Ohio HCAP applies if you’re at an Ohio Mercy Health location — it covers certain Ohio residents at 100% FPL regardless of insurance status.
- You must be informed about financial assistance — on every billing statement, Mercy must notify you that financial assistance is available and provide information on how to apply.
- Collections cannot begin within 240 days of your first bill — extraordinary collection actions (wage garnishments, legal judgments, credit reporting) cannot begin until this window passes and Mercy has made reasonable efforts to determine your eligibility.
- You cannot be charged more than the AGB rate — patients eligible for any financial assistance cannot be charged more than what Medicare and commercial insurers pay for the same services.
- No discrimination in eligibility determination — race, national origin, citizenship, religion, sex, or immigration status cannot be factors in whether you qualify.
- You must receive a written determination — if denied, you must receive the reason in writing. You have the right to appeal.
- No wage garnishments — every Mercy system reviewed for this guide explicitly prohibits wage garnishments as a collection tool, even after an account is past due.
- No property liens — Mercy will not place liens on your primary residence. This protection is explicitly written into their financial assistance policies.
- MercyOne (Iowa): no credit bureau reporting — MercyOne explicitly promises not to report patients to a credit bureau while they are applying for or receiving financial assistance.
- Illinois locations: 150-day billing moratorium — Illinois law prohibits collection activity within 150 days of the initial billing, providing additional breathing room for patients to apply.
- Bon Secours Mercy: no bank garnishment — their policy explicitly prohibits bank garnishment as well as wage garnishment, providing broader asset protection.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Mercy, Mercy Health, Bon Secours Mercy Health, MercyOne, Mercyhealth, Mercy Medical Center (Baltimore), Mercy Medical Center (Cedar Rapids), or any other Mercy-affiliated organization. “Mercy” refers to multiple independent health systems with separate ownership, governance, and financial assistance policies. Program details, income thresholds, eligibility rules, phone numbers, and application processes are subject to change — always verify current information directly with the specific Mercy facility where you received care. Nothing in this guide constitutes legal, financial, or medical advice.