UCLA Health (Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center) financial assistance: the complete 2026 guide
UCLA Health is the academic health system of the University of California, Los Angeles, anchored by Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center — one of the top-ranked hospitals in the country. As a California hospital, UCLA Health is covered by the state's Hospital Fair Billing Act, which provides some of the strongest patient financial assistance protections in the nation: free care up to 350% FPL and discounts all the way to 600% FPL, with no asset testing. This 2026 guide covers everything you need to apply.
Quick facts: UCLA Health (Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center)
Type: Public/nonprofit academic medical center (UC system)
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Free care threshold: 350% FPL (California law)
Discount threshold: Up to 600% FPL (California law)
Apply online: uclahealth.org/billing-insurance/financial-assistance
Apply by phone: 1-310-825-9111 (UCLA Health Patient Financial Services)
What you need to know about UCLA Health (Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center)'s financial assistance program
Full California protections
UCLA Health is fully covered by California's Hospital Fair Billing Act — free care up to 350% FPL, discounts to 600% FPL, no asset test.
State university hospital
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is part of the University of California system, which has its own financial assistance framework aligned with California law.
Income only — CA law
California law prohibits consideration of assets. UCLA Health cannot consider your home, savings, or investments — only household income.
Santa Monica, Westwood, and more
UCLA Health operates multiple hospital and clinic sites in the Los Angeles area — the financial assistance policy applies across all UCLA Health facilities.
2026 income limits for UCLA Health (Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center) financial assistance
The table below shows the 2026 federal poverty levels and what they typically mean for UCLA Health (Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center) financial assistance eligibility. Always verify current thresholds in the hospital's published Financial Assistance Policy at uclahealth.org/billing-insurance/financial-assistance — policies are updated at least annually.
| Household size | 100% FPL | 200% FPL | 300% FPL | 400% FPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,960 | $31,920 | $47,880 | $63,840 |
| 2 people | $21,600 | $43,200 | $64,800 | $86,400 |
| 3 people | $27,240 | $54,480 | $81,720 | $108,960 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $66,000 | $99,000 | $132,000 |
| 5 people | $38,640 | $77,280 | $115,920 | $154,560 |
| 6 people | $44,280 | $88,560 | $132,840 | $177,120 |
The free care threshold at UCLA Health (Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center) is approximately 350% FPL (California law). Sliding-scale discounts are available up to approximately Up to 600% FPL (California law). Confirm the exact current tiers in the hospital's published Financial Assistance Policy before applying.
How to apply for financial assistance at UCLA Health (Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center)
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Request an itemized bill first
Before applying, call UCLA Health Patient Financial Services at 1-310-825-9111 and request a fully itemized statement of your charges. Review it carefully for errors — duplicate charges, services you didn't receive, or billing code mistakes are common. Correcting errors before applying means you're negotiating from the correct baseline.
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Find and read the Financial Assistance Policy
Download UCLA Health (Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center)'s Financial Assistance Policy from uclahealth.org/billing-insurance/financial-assistance. Read the income tiers and documentation requirements before filling out the application — knowing exactly what's needed makes the process faster and reduces the chance of a denial for missing documentation.
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Complete the application
Download or request the financial assistance application from the same page, or ask for it at any UCLA Health (Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center) admissions or billing office. The application is free. Complete every section — incomplete applications are the most common reason for delays or initial denials.
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Gather your documentation
Assemble all the documents listed in the section below. Keep copies of everything you submit. If submitting by mail, use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery and a submission date.
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Submit and follow up
Submit the completed application with all supporting documents. Call 1-310-825-9111 after 2–3 weeks to confirm receipt and get a case reference number. Ask how long processing typically takes and when you can expect a written determination.
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Appeal if denied
If your application is denied, request the specific reason in writing and submit a formal written appeal with any additional or corrected documentation. See our full guide to appealing a denied charity care application for step-by-step instructions.
What documents does UCLA Health (Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center) require?
Most UCLA Health (Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center) financial assistance applications require the following documentation. The hospital's current Financial Assistance Policy at uclahealth.org/billing-insurance/financial-assistance is the authoritative list — confirm requirements before submitting.
- UCLA Health Financial Assistance Application
- Most recent federal tax return (Form 1040)
- Recent pay stubs (last 2–3 months)
- Medi-Cal determination letter if applicable
- Government benefit award letters
- Bank statements if self-employed
- If no income: signed self-attestation (assets NOT required under CA law)
Level I Trauma Center — strong protections apply to emergency care
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is a Level I Trauma Center — one of a small number of hospitals in LA County equipped for the highest complexity trauma care. If you were treated following a serious accident or emergency, both EMTALA and California's Fair Billing Act protections apply to your bill, giving you strong rights to financial assistance regardless of how you arrived at UCLA.
Where this page's information comes from
- 1.UCLA Health Financial Assistance — www.uclahealth.org
- 2.California Hospital Fair Billing Act — HCAI — hcai.ca.gov
- 3.IRS Section 501(r) — Requirements for Nonprofit Hospitals — www.irs.gov
Verify with the hospital directly
Hospital financial assistance policies change at least annually and sometimes more frequently. Income thresholds, required documentation, and application processes may have changed since this page was last reviewed. Always confirm current details directly with UCLA Health (Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center)'s financial assistance office before submitting an application.