Financial Assistance

We offer several options to help alleviate the financial burden of necessary medical services for our patients.

We strive to ensure that people’s financial ability doesn’t prevent them from seeking or receiving medical care at El Camino Hospital. We offer:

Uninsured discount – Patients who have no medical or third-party insurance coverage of any kind or patients who have medical insurance coverage, but who choose not to utilize it, are eligible for a discount off their total charges.
Payment plans – For patients who are unable to pay a hospital balance with a one-time payment we offer payment plans that have no fees, accrue no interest and can be set for an extended period of time. Our Customer Service staff can provide for more details.
Charity Care – Full charity care for patients who meet family income criteria or have incurred high medical costs and are not eligible for any government programs. Printable applications for El Camino Hospital Charity Care, in English and Spanish, are available at the bottom of this page.
Other programs – Our financial counselors can help you determine whether you are eligible for coverage through federal, state or county-funded programs, including the California Health Benefit Exchange, Medicare, Covered California/Medi-Cal, California Emergency Physicians, and California Children’s Services. Printable applications for Covered California/Medi-Cal and California Children’s Services are available at the bottom of this page.

Patients that are eligible for financial assistance are not charged more than the amounts generally billed (AGB) for emergency or other medically-necessary care.

El Camino Hospital adopts the look-back method for Amounts Generally Billed (AGB). This method is based on Medicare and Commercial payer paid claims.

To learn more about financial assistance programs and services, call our customer service staff at 650-940-7220 or 800-665-6540, or email charity_care@elcaminohealth.org.

Financial Assistance Requirements

The following healthcare services are eligible for financial assistance at El Camino Hospital:

Emergency medical services provided in an emergency department setting.
Services for a condition which, in the opinion of the treating doctor or other healthcare professional, would lead to an adverse change in the person’s health status if not treated promptly.
Non-elective services provided in response to life- or health-threatening circumstances.

In order to receive financial assistance, you must complete a charity care application and provide proof of recent income (paystubs or tax returns) to confirm you do not exceed 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. You may also be asked to provide documentation of paid out-of-pocket medical expenses. Our financial counselors can help determine whether you are eligible for government and community programs that may help cover medical expenses.