Hospital charity care in Arizona
Arizona does not have a statewide income threshold law that forces all hospitals to offer free care at a specific FPL percentage. Nonprofit hospitals must follow federal IRS 501(r) rules, and most large systems (Banner, Dignity / CommonSpirit, HonorHealth, Mayo, etc.) publish clear FAPs with free care typically in the 100–200% FPL range and discounts higher.
No FPL mandate
Arizona does not set a uniform free-care or discount threshold for all hospitals. Federal 501(r) is the main legal floor for nonprofits.
100–200% FPL
Most major Arizona hospital systems offer full free care somewhere in the 100–200% FPL range in their published FAPs.
Often to 300–400% FPL
Sliding-scale discounts commonly extend to 300% or 400% FPL at large systems.
Arizona Medicaid
Always check AHCCCS eligibility — it is usually more comprehensive than charity care for those who qualify.
What to expect from Arizona hospital FAPs
| Typical hospital range (examples) | Common benefit |
|---|---|
| Under 100–150% FPL | Often 100% free care |
| 150–200% FPL | Free or deep discount at many systems |
| 200–400% FPL | Sliding-scale discount (varies by hospital) |
| Above hospital cutoff | Uninsured discount, payment plans, or hardship review |
For 2026, 100% FPL is $15,960 (1 person) / $33,000 (family of 4); 200% FPL is roughly $31,920 / $66,000. Because there is no state floor, the hospital’s own Financial Assistance Policy is decisive — always download it for the facility that treated you.
What Arizona patients can rely on
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Federal right
Federal 501(r) full suite
Written FAP, plain-language summary, free copies, 240-day application period from first post-discharge bill, AGB pricing limit, and reasonable efforts before extraordinary collection actions.
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Important
No additional state FPL mandate
Unlike California, Colorado, or North Carolina, Arizona does not force a specific free-care percentage on all hospitals.
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Best first step
AHCCCS (Medicaid) screening
Hospitals should help patients check for AHCCCS eligibility. If you qualify, it is usually better than charity care alone.
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Required
Public posting of FAP
Nonprofit hospitals must widely publicize their Financial Assistance Policy on their website and at the facility.
Recent state medical debt efforts
Arizona has pursued medical debt relief initiatives (including large-scale debt purchases). Charity care remains the primary hospital-level tool for current bills. Check current governor and AHCCCS resources for any new programs.
How to look up a specific hospital’s rules
Search the hospital name + “financial assistance policy” or “charity care.” Banner Health, Dignity Health / CommonSpirit, HonorHealth, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Northern Arizona Healthcare, and others post clear FAPs and applications. Call the billing or patient financial services department and request the Financial Assistance Policy and application form — they are free.
Where this page’s claims come from
- Dollar For — Arizona Charity Care Law summary
- IRS Section 501(r)
- Public Financial Assistance Policies of major Arizona hospital systems
- Arizona AHCCCS and governor’s medical debt relief resources
General information, not legal advice
Hospital policies vary. Always confirm current details with the specific hospital’s financial assistance office and download their FAP.