If you or a family member received cancer treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in New York, you may be sitting on a five- or six-figure bill. MSK's Financial Assistance Program (FAP) is a federally required charity care policy that can reduce or eliminate that balance for households earning up to 500% of the Federal Poverty Level in 2026, and most patients never hear about it until after they've already paid.
Quick Answer: MSK's 2026 FAP covers uninsured and underinsured patients with household incomes up to $79,800 (single) or $165,000 (family of 4). Free or deeply discounted care is available based on a sliding scale. Apply at mskcc.org/financial-assistance or call 212-639-3810.
This guide covers every income threshold, all required documents, and the exact steps to submit a successful application.
What Is the MSK Financial Assistance Program?
Memorial Sloan Kettering is a nonprofit cancer center. Under New York State law and IRS rules governing nonprofit hospitals, MSK must maintain a written charity care policy and apply it consistently to all patients who ask. The FAP covers:
- Inpatient hospital charges
- Outpatient clinic and infusion charges
- Physician (doctor) bills billed through MSK
The program does NOT cover third-party costs such as pharmacy bills from outside pharmacies, ambulance services not operated by MSK, or charges from physicians who are not MSK employees. Check with your care team whether a specific provider is covered under the FAP before assuming the discount applies.
According to mskcc.org, MSK calculates assistance based on monthly household net income after taxes and deductions, then subtracts regular living expenses. If those expenses meet or exceed your net income, MSK accepts your insurance payment as full settlement of the balance, meaning your out-of-pocket share drops to zero regardless of your income tier.
New York MSK FAP Income Limits for 2026
The 2026 FAP income threshold is 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Patients whose household income falls below this ceiling qualify for some level of assistance. The table below shows the 2026 annual income limits by household size.
New York Memorial Sloan Kettering FAP Income Limits for 2026 (500% FPL)
| Household Size | Annual Income Limit | Monthly Income Limit |
|---|
| 1 | $79,800 | $6,650 |
| 2 | $108,200 | $9,017 |
| 3 | $136,600 | $11,383 |
| 4 | $165,000 | $13,750 |
| 5 | $193,400 | $16,117 |
| 6 | $221,800 | $18,483 |
| 7 | $250,200 | $20,850 |
| 8 | $278,600 | $23,217 |
| Each additional person | +$28,400 | +$2,367 |
Source: mskcc.org Income and Resource Guidelines, updated January 2026.
Note: "Household size" means the number of people claimed on your most recent federal income tax return. MSK does not count assets like your home or car when determining eligibility. Only income matters.
How MSK Calculates Your Assistance Level
MSK uses a sliding-scale model tied to the 2026 Federal Poverty Level thresholds published by aspe.hhs.gov. Here is how the tiers work in practice:
Tier 1, Free care. Patients whose monthly household net income, after all living expenses, leaves nothing left over receive free care. MSK waives the entire balance. In practice, this applies most often to uninsured patients below roughly 200% FPL ($31,920 for a single person in 2026).
Tier 2, Discounted care. Patients who can afford something but not the full amount pay only what they can afford each month. MSK covers the remainder. The payment plan is mandatory once assigned. Missed payments after 120 days trigger collection action.
Tier 3, Insured with high cost-sharing. If you have insurance but your deductible or co-pays make your share unaffordable, MSK evaluates your net income against your monthly expenses. If expenses match or exceed income, MSK accepts insurance payment as full payment, and your share is zeroed out.
Approval lasts 12 months. You must reapply annually to maintain benefits. MSK does not retroactively deny bills from before your approval date as long as the FAP application is submitted within 240 days of the first billing statement.
What the CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer Finds on MSK Bills
Before you apply for the FAP, it pays to know what is actually on your bill. Cancer treatment billing is among the most complex in medicine. Chemotherapy infusions, surgical pathology, radiation planning, and facility fees can all appear as separate line items, and each one has a Medicare benchmark rate.
The CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer compares each line on your MSK bill to the published Medicare rate for that service. In minutes you see which charges are above market, which look correct, and whether the hospital has documented charity care as an option on your account. Patients who review their bills before paying regularly find duplicate charges, upcoded procedure codes, and charges for services not rendered.
Identifying those errors before applying for the FAP matters because the FAP reduces your adjusted balance, not the inflated gross charge. Disputing overcharges first, then applying for charity care, produces the lowest possible out-of-pocket amount.
How to Apply for the New York MSK FAP in 2026
The MSK Financial Assistance Program accepts applications year-round. There is no open enrollment window. Follow these steps:
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Request the application. Call Patient Financial Services at 212-639-3810 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) or visit the office in person at 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, Room C130, 1st floor. You can also initiate the process through MSK MyChart if you already have an account.
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Gather your documents. You will need the items listed in the checklist below. Incomplete applications are the most common reason for delays.
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Submit the application. Four submission methods are accepted:
- Online: Upload through MSK MyChart
- Mail: Patient Financial Services, Box 319, Memorial Hospital, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Fax: 212-639-2085
- In person: Room C130, 1st floor, 1275 York Avenue
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Receive a determination. MSK reviews applications and notifies you by mail. If approved, you receive a written notice stating your assistance level and any required monthly payment.
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Set up your payment plan (if required). If you owe a portion, MSK assigns a monthly amount. Missing payments after 120 days can send the account to collections, so contact MSK immediately if your financial situation changes.
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Reapply each year. Approval expires after 12 months. MSK sends a renewal notice, but it is your responsibility to reapply before the expiration date.
Documents Needed for the New York MSK FAP Application
Gather these before you call or visit:
- Most recent complete federal income tax return with all schedules (all household members who file)
- One month of recent pay stubs or bank statements showing income deposits
- Proof of any Social Security, disability, pension, or unemployment income received
- Documentation of regular monthly expenses (rent/mortgage statements, utility bills) if you are claiming expenses exceed income
- Photo ID
- Insurance card (if you have coverage)
- MSK account number or billing statement
Common Reasons MSK FAP Applications Are Denied
- Income above 500% FPL for your household size
- Missing or incomplete income documentation
- Failure to include all household members' income
- Application submitted more than 240 days after the first billing statement
- Missed payment plan installments on a prior approval
Other MSK Financial Resources for New York Cancer Patients
The FAP covers MSK bills. These programs address costs the FAP does not:
Social Work Patient Fund. MSK's social workers can connect you with funds for non-medical expenses: transportation to appointments, lodging near the hospital, food assistance, and childcare. Ask your MSK social worker on your care team or call 212-639-7020.
New York State Medicaid. If your income is at or below 138% FPL ($22,025 for a single person in 2026), you likely qualify for New York Medicaid, which pays nearly all healthcare costs including cancer treatment. Apply through NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5777. New York Medicaid has an asset test for some populations, but there is no asset test for adults under 65 in the expansion group.
NY State of Health Marketplace Plans. At 139% to 400% FPL, you may qualify for a subsidized plan on NY State of Health. MSK participates in some marketplace plans. Confirm network participation before enrolling. Your MSK Insurance Assistance team (646-497-9176) can advise on which plans include MSK.
Medicare. If you are 65 or older or have a qualifying disability, Medicare covers cancer treatment at MSK. For help understanding your Medicare benefits, contact New York's HIICAP program (Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance) at 1-800-701-0501 or visit aging.ny.gov/HIICAP.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Programs. Most major cancer drugs have patient assistance programs that provide the drug free or at reduced cost. Ask your MSK oncology pharmacist which programs apply to your treatment regimen.
Upload Your MSK Bill to the CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer
Charity care is one piece of the picture. Before you accept any balance as final, upload your hospital bill to the free CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer to find errors, overcharges, and charity care options in 30 seconds.
MSK bills frequently contain dozens of CPT codes across a single encounter. The CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer flags charges that exceed the Medicare benchmark, identifies duplicate line items, and surfaces charity care programs you may not have been told about, including the FAP itself. Many patients find that combining a billing dispute with a FAP application reduces the final balance by more than either approach alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Memorial Sloan Kettering offer free care?
Yes. New York MSK offers completely free care to patients who demonstrate that their monthly living expenses equal or exceed their household net income, or whose income falls below the program's lower thresholds. Free care is not automatic. You must submit a completed FAP application with supporting documentation.
What is the income limit for the MSK Financial Assistance Program in 2026?
The 2026 income limit is 500% of the Federal Poverty Level. That equals $79,800 per year for a single person and $165,000 per year for a household of four. Patients whose income exceeds these amounts do not qualify for the FAP, though they may qualify for payment plan arrangements.
Does MSK check assets or just income?
MSK evaluates income only. Assets such as your primary home, vehicles, retirement accounts, and savings are not considered in the 2026 FAP determination. This is more generous than many other charity care programs, which apply asset limits.
Can I apply for financial assistance after my bill goes to collections?
Yes. Under mskcc.org's FAP policy, you can apply within 240 days of the first billing statement, even if the account has been sent to a collection agency. If approved, the collection action is paused and the approved discount is applied retroactively to that bill.
What if my application is denied?
You have the right to appeal. Contact MSK's Appeals Director at 212-639-7942. You can also contact the New York State Department of Health at 518-402-6993 or 800-804-5447 if you believe the denial was improper.
Does the MSK FAP cover chemotherapy drug costs?
The FAP covers charges billed through MSK's hospital and physician billing systems, which includes infusion facility fees and drug administration fees. The drug itself may be billed separately through a specialty pharmacy. If the drug is billed directly by a non-MSK pharmacy, it is not covered by the FAP, but manufacturer patient assistance programs may cover those costs.
How long does MSK financial assistance approval take?
MSK does not publish a standard processing time. Applications with complete documentation typically receive a determination faster than incomplete ones. If you have an urgent financial situation, call 212-639-3810 and request expedited review.
Is the MSK FAP the same as New York's charity care law?
The FAP satisfies MSK's obligations under IRS 501(r) regulations for nonprofit hospitals and aligns with New York's hospital financial assistance requirements. New York State requires all hospitals to offer charity care to residents who cannot pay. The FAP is MSK's implementation of that requirement. The state oversight agency is the New York State Department of Health (health.ny.gov).
