Hospital charity care in Connecticut
Connecticut combines strong charity care thresholds with a landmark credit protection: it became the first state in the country to completely ban medical debt from consumer credit reports — meaning a hospital bill in Connecticut simply cannot hurt your credit score, regardless of your income.
CGS §19a-673 & PA 24-6
Connecticut General Statutes §19a-673 sets charity care requirements; Public Act 24-6 banned medical debt from credit reports entirely, effective 2024.
Under 235% FPL
Connecticut requires completely free care for patients at or below 235% of the federal poverty level — higher than many states.
Up to 400% FPL
Sliding-scale discounts are required for patients between 235% and 400% FPL at Connecticut nonprofit hospitals.
Medical debt banned from credit reports
Connecticut PA 24-6 bans medical debt from appearing on consumer credit reports entirely — the first state law of its kind in the US.
Connecticut's charity care income thresholds
Connecticut's charity care law creates clear mandatory tiers for nonprofit hospitals:
| Income level | Required benefit |
|---|---|
| Under 235% FPL (~$37,506 for 1 person) | 100% free care |
| 235%–400% FPL | Sliding-scale discount required |
| Above 400% FPL | Depends on individual hospital policy |
For 2026, 235% FPL for a family of four is approximately $77,550 per year. Connecticut's 235% free-care threshold is notably higher than the 200% FPL baseline common in many other states. Yale New Haven Health, Connecticut's largest system, extends discounts to patients up to 550% FPL — one of the most generous policies nationally.
Connecticut's standout patient protections
- Landmark protection
Complete medical debt credit ban
Connecticut PA 24-6 bans medical debt from consumer credit reports entirely — no hospital bill in Connecticut can appear on your credit report, regardless of amount.
- Required
Free care at 235% FPL
Connecticut's free-care threshold is higher than most states, extending fully free care to more patients.
- Required
Sliding scale to 400% FPL
Discounts are required up to 400% FPL — a broader range than many states offer.
- Federal right
240-day federal window
Nonprofit hospitals must observe the federal 240-day window from first billing before initiating collection action.
HUSKY Health (Medicaid) first
Connecticut's HUSKY Health program (Medicaid) covers a broad range of residents. Before applying for charity care, check if you qualify for HUSKY A (families with children), HUSKY B (children only), HUSKY C (elderly/disabled), or HUSKY D (low-income adults). If you qualify, HUSKY will cover your bills more comprehensively than charity care.
How to look up a specific hospital's rules
The Connecticut Office of Health Strategy oversees hospital financial assistance. To find your hospital's specific policy, search the hospital name plus "financial assistance policy" online — all nonprofit hospitals must post this document publicly. For Yale New Haven Health, visit their financial assistance page directly. You can also call the hospital billing department and ask for the "charity care application" or "financial assistance application."
Where this page's claims come from
- 1.Connecticut General Statutes §19a-673 — cga.ct.gov
- 2.Connecticut PA 24-6 — Medical Debt Credit Reporting Ban — cga.ct.gov
- 3.IRS Section 501(r) Requirements for Nonprofit Hospitals — irs.gov
General information, not legal advice
State law and hospital policies change regularly. Confirm current details with your state health department or the specific hospital's financial assistance office.