Waivr

Not affiliated with any hospital, insurer or collection agency.

Waivr is free to use. A tip is just a thank-you for building it.

Got a hospital bill? See if you qualify for free or reduced care.

Check in 30 seconds, using that hospital’s own policy, and see how to apply.

Who counts in my household?

Usually you, your spouse, and your children or others you claim as dependents. Not roommates. The hospital’s application says exactly who to count.

Your insurance

Some hospitals’ free care is only for the uninsured.

Including Medicaid or Medicare. We’ll check what you owe after insurance pays.

Free to use, no sign-up.

Policies checked for 3,154 hospitals.

How this worksWhy this exists, where the numbers come from

Why this exists

Nonprofit hospitals must offer financial assistance (federal rule 501(r)). Their policies are long and hard to compare. We read them for you.

How it works

  1. Search the hospital that billed you and enter your income.
  2. See what its policy says, plus 3 nearby hospitals.
  3. Apply or call, even if you’ve already been billed.

Where the numbers come from

Policies checked for 3,154 hospitals. Unconfirmed numbers say "check policy." The hospital decides.

Full method and hospital list

2026 federal poverty guidelines

Hospitals set their free and discounted care limits as a percentage of these numbers. Each hospital decides who counts in your household, so check its policy.

Alaska and Hawaii have higher limits. Source: HHS, 2026

Free to use, no strings.

No ads, no sign-up. Nothing you type leaves your device. If it helped, you can buy me a coffee.

Already have a bill?

It's usually not too late to apply.

  • Nonprofit (tax-exempt) hospitals must accept your application for at least 240 days after your first bill following discharge. Others set their own rules.
  • Ask for the application before you pay. Call the number on your bill or tap Call above.
  • Once you apply within that window, a nonprofit hospital has to pause serious collection actions, like credit reporting or lawsuits, while it decides.
  • Ask for an itemized bill, and keep copies of everything.

No promises. Each hospital decides under its own policy.