This is how I survived without insurance BUT there's some nuance to how this works in reality

1) It only covers the facility fees. Most physicians belong to physician groups which bill separately. Most of these do NOT have financial assistance 1/6 https://twitter.com/DareBear1226/status/1350511629977452547

2) The application for financial assistance can be hard to navigate. Most I've applied for require you first apply for and be denied Medicare and medicaid. Those apps are also hard to navigate, especially if you're ND/disabled. Make sure you do that first 2/6

3) Once you are approved you'll have to reapply every 6-12 months

4) If possible, choose a hospital system with on staff physicians who see out pts (like neurology you can see when you're not admitted) Make all your doctor appts in this system 3/6

5) Carry the approval letter with you to all appts. You'll have to sign a self pay form as you don't have insurance. This can be scary as fuck, but if your financial assistance form is current the bills will be covered to the limit on the letter 4/6

6) If you get a bill, contact the billing department right away and tell them you have financial assistance and give them the number on the letter. Mistakes happen and you don't want that going to collections 5/6

7) Not all hospitals are non-profit. I've tried to help ppl get assistance in other areas & their hospitals (at most) only offered $1k off an inpatient bill. If you are moving, try to find a place near a system with a good reputation, easy app for aid, and on staff physicians 6/6