Texas nonprofit hospitals required to offer charity care, but patients often unaware

Who's involved

• Nikki MylesPatient who received $117,000 bill from Houston Methodist Hospital after gallbladder surgery
• Jared WalkerFounder of Dollar For, national nonprofit helping people apply for hospital charity care
• Houston Methodist HospitalNonprofit hospital in Baytown subject of article about charity care practices
• Dollar ForNational nonprofit organization that helps people find and apply for hospital charity care

The facts

• Nonprofit hospitals in Texas are required by federal and state law to offer eligible patients financial assistance.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• Hospitals must communicate that charity care programs exist and make them accessible as a condition of tax-exempt status.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• Dollar For has helped more than 8,000 Texans apply for hospital charity care.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• Nikki Myles received a $117,000 bill from Houston Methodist Hospital in Baytown after three-night emergency hospitalization and gallbladder surgery.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• Myles said a nurse mentioned financial assistance while she was hospitalized but she heard nothing more about it before receiving the bill.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

• Patients, researchers, and advocacy groups Nonprofit hospitals are falling short in letting patients know about charity care and making it easy to apply.^{1 2}
• Jared Walker, founder of Dollar For Most low-income people are eligible for some sort of financial assistance but don't know about it.^{1 2}
• Jared Walker, founder of Dollar For There is a huge lack of awareness in Texas that charity care programs exist.^{1 2}