LifeCost

More in Legal & Catastrophe

What this calculator does

Nonprofit hospitals must provide financial assistance. This calculator compares your income to the federal poverty level for your household size.

The math

Income percentage = (income ÷ (FPL base × household size)) × 100. Under 200% usually qualifies.

Worked example

A $35,000 income for a 2-person household is about 119% of FPL, likely qualifying for charity care.

Why this matters

Legal and medical bills are stressful and opaque. This calculator gives you a starting number and a concrete next question to ask.

Methodology and transparency

This page publishes the exact formula used to compute the result, so you can verify it in a spreadsheet or check the assumptions against your own situation. The worked example uses the tool default inputs; change any number and the result updates live in your browser. No data is sent or stored.

Common questions

Is this a guarantee?

No. Each hospital has its own policy. This is a rough estimate.

What if I already have a bill?

Contact the hospital's financial assistance office and ask for a charity care application.

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