Candace Maher struggled with high medical bills after several unexpected surgeries. Kaiser Permanente's Medical Financial Assistance program helped pay for her medical care.

Improving health care access for people with limited incomes and resources is fundamental to Kaiser Permanente’s mission. Our Medical Financial Assistance program helps low-income, uninsured, and underserved patients receive access to care. The program provides temporary financial assistance or free care to patients who receive health care services from our providers, regardless of whether they have health coverage or are uninsured. The MFA program is one of the most generous in the health care industry and is available to those patients in greatest need.

Who’s eligible for Medical Financial Assistance?

• Eligibility is based on financial need. In general, patients whose household income is at or below 300%, and in some regions up to 400%, of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible for the MFA program.
• Patients who are experiencing high medical expenses as compared to their income may be eligible under high medical expenses criteria, regardless of household income.

What does the program cover?

The MFA program covers emergency and medically necessary health care services, pharmacy services and products, and medical supplies provided at Kaiser Permanente facilities (such as hospitals, medical centers, and medical office buildings), at Kaiser Permanente outpatient pharmacies, or by Kaiser Permanente providers. Services that are not considered emergent or medically necessary as determined by a Kaiser Permanente provider include but are not limited to cosmetic surgery or services, infertility treatments, retail medical supplies, surrogacy services, and services related to third-party liability, or workers’ compensation cases.

Please note: The MFA program is not a form of health insurance and can’t be used to subsidize premiums.

How can I learn more about the Medical Financial Assistance Program and how to enroll?

To learn more about the MFA program and how to enroll, please see the program qualifications and contacts information for the Kaiser Permanente region where you live:

• Northern California
• Southern California
• Colorado
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Virginia / Maryland / Washington DC
• Oregon / Washington
• Washington

Other beneficial programs and extra resources:

If you don’t have health care coverage and would like more information, call us at 1-800-479-5764 (TTY 711) Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to learn more about your coverage options.

We’re here to support you however we can. If you need help with essentials like housing, childcare, or food, Thrive Local Connections can help connect you to resources in your community. Call 1-800-443-6328 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.