Kaiser medical financial assistance program southern california

Program Description

Kaiser Permanente’s Medical Financial Assistance program provides financial assistance for qualifying patients who need help paying for emergency or medically necessary care they receive in a Kaiser Permanente facility or by a Kaiser Permanente provider.  Patients must fill out an application to apply and must meet the eligibility requirements listed below to qualify.

Who is eligible for Financial Assistance and what are the requirements?

For eligibility requirements and other information, please visit Kaiser Permanente’s national MFA web page: http://kp.org/mfa/scal

Need Help?

For help or questions about the medical financial assistance application process, please call 866-399-7696, or speak to a financial counselor within the Admitting Department at any Kaiser Permanente hospital.

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  • What does the program cover? »
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Having trouble paying for your Kaiser Permanente medical and pharmacy expenses?

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, collectively referred to as Kaiser Permanente, are committed to providing programs that facilitate access to care for vulnerable populations. This commitment includes providing financial assistance to qualified patients who are uninsured or underinsured and have low incomes, when the ability to pay for services is a barrier to accessing emergency and medically necessary care. Patients must meet the eligibility requirements explained below to qualify.

What's new?

As of June 1, 2022, when applying for medical financial assistance, award amounts will be based on your gross household income (before taxes) as a percentage of the federal poverty level. If your household has a higher income, you may qualify for an award equal to a maximum of 50% of your share of eligible medical expenses. Households with lower incomes can qualify for an award covering up to 100% of their share of eligible medical costs.

Beginning October 1, 2022, patients with Medicare Part D who are approved for a partial MFA award will be expected to pay the remaining pharmacy balance at the point of sale or when ordering by mail.

Award amounts will be based on your household income as a percentage of the 2022 federal poverty levels:

  • 100% of your share of eligible costs for households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level
  • 50% of your share of eligible costs for households with incomes between 201% and 300% of the federal poverty level

If your household or family size is:
2022 federal poverty guidelines

100% award for gross annual income at or below 200% of FPG

50% award for gross annual income between 201% and 300% of FPG
1 $27,180 $27,181 to $40,770
2 $36,620 $36,621 to $54,930
3 $46,060 $46,061 to $69,090
4 $55,500 $55,501 to $83,250
5 $64,940 $64,941 to $97,410
6 $74,380 $74,381 to $111,570

Visit aspe.hhs.gov/poverty to find the guidelines for larger households.

Note: Past MFA award recipients aren’t guaranteed future awards. Kaiser Permanente reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of the MFA program at any time. The MFA award is not a covered benefit and will not impact your existing plan coverage.

Who is eligible for Financial Assistance and what are the requirements?

The Medical Financial Assistance (MFA) program helps low-income, uninsured, and underinsured patients who need help paying for all or part of their medical care received from Kaiser Permanente. Patients are eligible for financial assistance when their family income is at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Patients should consult with a counselor to determine eligibility and for assistance applying. Patients who have experienced unusually high medical expenses may be eligible for the program, regardless of household income. Refer to the MFA Policy for a complete description of the program eligibility requirements.

What does the program cover?

The MFA program covers emergency and medically necessary health care services, pharmacy services and products, and medical supplies provided at Kaiser Permanente facilities (such as hospitals, medical centers, and medical office buildings), at Kaiser Permanente outpatient pharmacies, or by Kaiser Permanente providers. Services that are not considered emergent or medically necessary as determined by a Kaiser Permanente provider include, but are not limited, to cosmetic surgery or services, infertility treatments, retail medical supplies, surrogacy services, and services related to third-party liability, or workers’ compensation cases. Refer to the MFA Policy for a complete list of eligible and ineligible services.

How can I get program information?

Copies of the MFA policy, application forms, instructions, and plain-language summaries (including policy summaries or program brochures) are available to the general public, without charge, from Kaiser Permanente's website, by email, in person, by telephone, or by U.S. mail.

Download program information:

Request program information electronically: Electronic copies of program information are available by email upon request. Call 844-412-0919 to request electronic copies. Please be prepared to provide an email address that the information can be sent to when calling.

Obtain program information in person: Visit Member Services at any Kaiser Permanente medical center.

Request program information by telephone: Counselors are available by telephone to provide information, determine MFA eligibility, and assist a patient to apply for MFA. Counselors can be reached at: 844-412-0919 Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Request program information by U.S. postal mail: A patient can request program information by mail. Information requests can be mailed to:

Kaiser Permanente
Attention: Medical Financial Assistance Program
2101 East Jefferson Street
Rockville, MD 20852-9468

How do I apply?

You can apply for medical financial assistance through Kaiser Permanente during or following a course of care or treatment received from Kaiser Permanente. To be eligible for the program, you must demonstrate an immediate need caused by a bill for an outstanding balance for Kaiser Permanente services, a scheduled appointment with Kaiser Permanente, or a pharmacy prescription ordered by a Kaiser Permanente provider for eligible services and meet income qualifications.

When you apply, you will be asked to list your household size and total gross household income, which will be validated by an external data source. Applying online is the quickest and easiest way to apply. If your income recently changed or you prefer to submit current financial documentation, you can fax or mail your MFA program application, along with your supporting financial documentation, as specified below. 

Household income source

Financial documentation to submit
Employment income wages Current pay stub with pay period and year-to-date gross wages
Business income/rental property Most recent tax return and all schedules
Unemployment benefits/disability income Unemployment Benefit Payment Summary showing your gross weekly benefits
Alimony/child support Court Divorce Decree/amount awarded
Pension or retirement/annuities Monthly gross benefit letter or most recent tax return and all schedules filed
Social Security/Supplemental Security Income/veterans benefits

Social Security and/or monthly veterans benefit letter showing the gross benefit

Important: Any missing or unclear information may delay the application process or result in a denial.

What should I expect after I apply?

After we review your completed application, we’ll send you a decision within thirty (30) days of receipt. If it is not approved, we will provide a reason for the denial and instructions on how to appeal the decision if you disagree. 

How do I get financial assistance?

Visit Benefits.gov to find out if you're eligible and how to apply for other types of help. This may include financial assistance, transportation, food, counseling, and more. If you don't have medical insurance, you can use HRSA health centers.

What is DOH Medical Assistance Program?

The DOH's Medical Assistance Program Eligible beneficiaries include those who are seeking consultation, examination, rehabilitation, or otherwise confined in government hospitals regardless of room category. Generally, the DOH has partnerships with various hospitals.

Where can I get financial assistance for medical bills Philippines?

The DSWD Medical Assistance Program (MAP) is a free health care program that provides financial assistance to indigent Filipino families who need help paying for their medical expenses.