Mayo Clinic offers one of the most generous hospital charity care programs in the United States. As of 2026, patients who earn up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) qualify for completely free care, and those earning up to 400% FPL receive discounts of 40% to 50%. That means a family of four with annual income up to roughly $99,000 could qualify for meaningful financial relief on their Mayo Clinic bills.
Quick Answer: Mayo Clinic's financial assistance program covers patients earning up to 400% FPL. Incomes at or below 200% FPL qualify for 100% free care. Incomes between 200% and 400% FPL get 40-50% discounts. Eligibility is based on household income, household size, and assets. Applications can be submitted online, by mail, or by fax.
This guide covers exactly who qualifies, what the 2026 income thresholds are, what documents you need, and how to apply. If you already have a Mayo Clinic bill and want to know whether specific charges are accurate or inflated, the CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer can flag errors and overcharges in about 30 seconds before you apply for assistance.
What Is Mayo Clinic's Financial Assistance Program?
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit health system. Under IRS rules (Section 501(r)), nonprofit hospitals must offer financial assistance to patients who cannot afford their care. Mayo Clinic's program is called charitable care or financial assistance, and it applies to emergency and medically necessary services at Mayo Clinic hospitals and clinics in Minnesota, Arizona, Florida, and affiliated Mayo Clinic Health System locations.
The program does NOT cover elective or non-medically necessary services such as:
- Cosmetic surgery
- Fertility treatments
- Gastric bypass (when not medically required)
- Patient convenience items
If Mayo Clinic is out-of-network with your insurance, financial assistance is only available for emergency care, not scheduled non-emergency services.
In March 2025, the Minnesota Attorney General reached a settlement with Mayo Clinic following a multiyear investigation into charity care practices. As a result, Mayo Clinic is now required to maintain free care for patients at or below 200% FPL and provide discounts for patients up to 400% FPL. The settlement also prohibits Mayo from suing to collect medical debt except in extraordinary circumstances, with approval from Mayo's CFO required before any lawsuit.
2026 Income Limits by Household Size
The thresholds below use the 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines published by HHS in January 2026. Mayo Clinic uses these guidelines to determine your discount level.
100% Free Care (Up to 200% FPL)
| Household Size | Annual Income Limit (200% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 | $31,920 |
| 2 | $43,280 |
| 3 | $54,640 |
| 4 | $66,000 |
| 5 | $77,360 |
| 6 | $88,720 |
| 7 | $100,080 |
| 8 | $111,440 |
Add $5,680 for each additional person beyond 8.
40-50% Discount (200% to 400% FPL)
| Household Size | Income Range (200%-400% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 | $31,921 to $63,840 |
| 2 | $43,281 to $86,560 |
| 3 | $54,641 to $109,280 |
| 4 | $66,001 to $132,000 |
| 5 | $77,361 to $154,720 |
| 6 | $88,721 to $177,440 |
| 7 | $100,081 to $200,160 |
| 8 | $111,441 to $222,880 |
Alaska and Hawaii have higher FPL thresholds due to cost of living. Contact Mayo Clinic directly for those state-specific limits.
Patients above 400% FPL do not qualify for standard charity care but can still negotiate payment plans and financial counseling support.
Who Is Presumptively Eligible?
As part of the 2025 Minnesota AG settlement, Mayo Clinic now has a presumptive eligibility pathway. This means some patients are automatically granted charity care without completing a full application. Presumptive eligibility typically applies to:
- Uninsured patients whose financial situation suggests eligibility
- Patients enrolled in certain public assistance programs (Medicaid, SNAP, SSI)
- Patients identified through socioeconomic screening during registration
Between October 2023 and August 2024, about $89 million of Mayo's $142 million in financial assistance went to patients who did not fill out an application. If you are uninsured or underinsured, ask a financial counselor at registration whether you qualify presumptively.
What Documents Do You Need?
Mayo Clinic reviews both income and assets. Gather the following before applying:
Income documentation:
- Most recent federal tax return (Form 1040)
- Last 2-3 recent pay stubs (for all working household members)
- W-2 forms from the prior year
- Social Security or disability award letters (if applicable)
- Self-employment profit/loss statements
Identity and household:
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport)
- Proof of residence (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement)
- Documentation for each member of your household
Insurance status:
- Insurance cards or explanation of benefits (EOB) statements
- If uninsured, a statement confirming no current coverage
Asset information:
- Bank account statements (last 1-3 months)
- Retirement account balances may be reviewed
The more complete your submission, the faster Mayo processes your application. Incomplete applications are the most common cause of delays.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Contact a Financial Counselor
Call Mayo Clinic's financial counseling line at 844-217-9591 (toll-free), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. Counselors can help you determine whether you likely qualify before you formally apply, walk you through the forms, and answer questions about your specific situation. No appointment is necessary.
Step 2: Obtain the Application
You have three options:
- Online: Log into your Mayo Clinic Patient Online Services account and submit electronically. This is the fastest option.
- Mail/Fax: Download the Financial Assistance Application from mayoclinic.org, complete it, and mail it with supporting documents (unstapled and unclipped) to: Mayo Clinic, PO Box 860910, Minneapolis, MN 55486-0910. Or fax to the number provided by your financial counselor.
- In person: At some Mayo Clinic locations, financial counselors are available on-site without an appointment.
Step 3: Apply for Medicaid First
Mayo Clinic requires applicants to confirm they have applied for all available sources of coverage, including Medicaid, if potentially eligible. If your income falls under 138% FPL and you live in a Medicaid expansion state (Minnesota and Arizona expanded Medicaid; Florida has not), you may qualify for Medicaid outright, which would cover the bill before charity care applies. Your Mayo financial counselor can help you determine which path makes more sense.
Step 4: Submit Documentation
Include all required documents with your application. Do not staple, clip, or alter the documents. If submitting by mail, use certified mail so you have a tracking record.
Step 5: Wait for a Decision
Mayo Clinic typically issues a decision within 30 days. During that time, collection activity on the account is paused. If approved, the charity care discount or write-off is applied to your outstanding balance.
Step 6: Appeal if Denied
If your application is denied, you can:
- Request a written explanation of the denial
- Appeal with additional documentation
- Contact a patient advocate at Mayo Clinic
- File a complaint with your state's attorney general (particularly relevant in Minnesota given the 2025 settlement)
- Request a payment plan as an alternative
What Counts as a Household?
Mayo Clinic evaluates household income, which includes all people living in your home who are financially interdependent. Generally this follows IRS rules: your spouse, dependent children, and other dependents you claim on your taxes. Non-dependent roommates or adult children with separate finances typically do not count.
Does the Program Cover Past Bills?
Yes. You can apply for financial assistance on bills you already received, not just future care. If you have already paid a bill that you might have qualified for assistance on, you can request a retroactive review. Contact the billing department directly to ask about retroactive applications.
Mayo Clinic Health System Locations
Financial assistance terms can vary slightly between Mayo Clinic's three main campuses (Rochester, MN; Phoenix, AZ; Jacksonville, FL) and Mayo Clinic Health System community hospitals and clinics. The core tiers (100% free at 200% FPL, discounts to 400% FPL) apply broadly, but contact the specific location for site-specific forms and phone numbers.
- Rochester, Minnesota: Main campus, original Mayo Clinic
- Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona: Mayo Clinic Arizona campus
- Jacksonville, Florida: Mayo Clinic Florida campus
- Mayo Clinic Health System: Smaller regional hospitals and clinics across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa
Before You Apply: Check Your Bill for Errors
Medical bills are frequently wrong. Duplicate charges, upcoded procedures, and billing errors are common even at top institutions. Before you apply for charity care, it helps to know whether your bill is accurate in the first place. The CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer compares each charge on your bill to Medicare benchmark rates and flags items that look inflated or incorrect. Upload your bill at coveredusa.org/medical-bill-analyzer to identify errors before you negotiate or apply for assistance. Finding an overcharge can reduce what you owe before charity care is even applied.
Upload your hospital bill to the free CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer to find errors, overcharges, and charity care options in 30 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mayo Clinic charity care cover all services?
No. Charity care applies to emergency care and medically necessary hospital and clinic services. It does not cover cosmetic procedures, fertility treatments, gastric bypass (when not medically necessary), or patient convenience items. It also does not apply to out-of-network services unless the care was emergency in nature.
What is the income limit for free care at Mayo Clinic in 2026?
Patients with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for 100% free care. For a single person in 2026, that means income up to $31,920 per year. For a family of four, the limit is $66,000. These figures use the 2026 HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Can I apply for Mayo Clinic financial assistance after I receive a bill?
Yes. You can apply retroactively. If you have already received a bill or even begun making payments, you can still submit a financial assistance application. Mayo Clinic reviews applications on outstanding balances. Contact the billing department and ask about retroactive applications.
What happens to collections while my application is pending?
While your financial assistance application is under review, Mayo Clinic pauses collection activity on the account. Per the 2025 Minnesota AG settlement, Mayo Clinic is prohibited from suing to collect medical debt except in extraordinary circumstances, and even then requires CFO approval. If a collection agency contacts you during a pending application, inform them and contact Mayo's billing department.
Does Mayo require me to apply for Medicaid first?
As part of the application process, Mayo Clinic asks you to confirm you have applied for all coverage you may be eligible for, including Medicaid. If you live in a Medicaid expansion state and your income is below 138% FPL, you likely qualify for Medicaid, which would cover the bill directly. Your financial counselor can help you determine whether Medicaid or charity care is the right first step.
Does the program cover care at all Mayo Clinic locations?
The core financial assistance program applies at Mayo Clinic hospitals and affiliated clinics. Terms may vary slightly by campus or affiliated health system location. Always confirm with the billing department at the specific facility where you received care.
What if I earn more than 400% FPL?
You do not qualify for standard charity care, but Mayo Clinic will still work with you. Options include interest-free or low-interest payment plans, extended payment schedules, and financial counseling to review your situation. Negotiating directly with the billing department is also an option.
How long does it take to get a decision?
Most applications are processed within 30 days. Applications submitted with complete documentation are processed faster. Incomplete submissions will result in a request for additional information, which restarts the clock.
Can I get presumptive charity care without applying?
Yes, in some cases. Patients who are uninsured or whose insurance status is unknown at registration may be screened for presumptive eligibility. Patients enrolled in programs like Medicaid, SNAP, or SSI may be automatically qualified. Ask your financial counselor at registration or call 844-217-9591 to find out if you qualify without a full application.
Is Mayo Clinic's financial assistance taxable income?
No. Charity care write-offs from a nonprofit hospital are not taxable income to the patient. You do not need to report forgiven medical debt from Mayo Clinic as income on your federal tax return.
