NYU Langone Health runs one of the most generous hospital financial assistance programs in New York. Patients with household incomes up to 600% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) qualify for a full 100% discount on their bill, and partial discounts extend to 800% FPL. In 2026, that means a family of four earning up to $198,000 per year can have their NYU Langone bill wiped out entirely. Most patients who are eligible never apply because they assume they earn too much, or they do not know the program exists.
Quick Answer: NYU Langone's 2026 financial assistance program covers 100% of hospital bills for New Yorkers earning up to 600% of FPL (roughly $95,760 for a single person, $198,000 for a family of four). Sliding-scale discounts apply up to 800% FPL. You must apply within 240 days of service, and the review takes up to 30 days.
Before you pay or set up a payment plan, use the CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer to check whether your NYU Langone charges contain errors or overcharges, and to see which financial assistance tier applies to your household income.
Who Qualifies for NYU Langone Financial Assistance in 2026?
NYU Langone's charity care program, formally called the Charity Care and Financial Assistance Policy, covers New York State residents who receive medically necessary services and any patient who receives emergency services at an NYU Langone facility. Coverage applies regardless of immigration status for emergency services.
You qualify if ANY of the following apply:
- You are uninsured
- Your health insurance benefits have been exhausted
- You have insurance but your out-of-pocket costs exceed 10% of your annual household income
The income thresholds below are the controlling limits for the 2026 program year, anchored to the 2026 HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines published January 17, 2026.
NYU Langone Financial Assistance Income Thresholds — 2026
| Household Size | 100% FPL (2026) | 400% FPL | 600% FPL (Full Discount) | 800% FPL (Partial Discount) |
|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $63,840 | $95,760 | $127,680 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $86,560 | $129,840 | $173,120 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $109,280 | $163,920 | $218,560 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $132,000 | $198,000 | $264,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $154,720 | $232,080 | $309,440 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $177,440 | $266,160 | $354,880 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $200,160 | $300,240 | $400,320 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $222,880 | $334,320 | $445,760 |
| Each additional | +$5,680 | +$22,720 | +$34,080 | +$45,440 |
Source: 2026 HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines via aspe.hhs.gov. Thresholds apply to the 48 contiguous states and Washington D.C.
The 2026 Discount Tiers: How Much Will NYU Langone Reduce Your Bill?
NYU Langone uses a sliding scale that depends entirely on household income relative to FPL. Here is how the discount tiers work as of 2026, based on the hospital's published Charity Care and Financial Assistance Policy (nyulangone.org):
| Income as % of FPL | Discount Level | What You Pay |
|---|
| 0% to 200% FPL | Full charity care (SC1) | $0 — all charges waived |
| 200% to 400% FPL | Sliding scale discount | Up to 10% of the Medicaid rate |
| 400% to 600% FPL | Full discount (SC1 extended) | 100% of bill waived |
| 601% to 650% FPL | 75% discount (SC2) | 25% of charges |
| 651% to 700% FPL | 50% discount (SC3) | 50% of charges |
| 701% to 800% FPL | 25% discount (SC4) | 75% of charges |
| Above 800% FPL | Not eligible | Standard billing applies |
The most overlooked tier is 400% to 600% FPL. Many working New York families fall in this range and have no idea they qualify for a full bill wipe. A family of four earning $150,000 per year is below 600% FPL in 2026 and qualifies for a 100% discount.
How to Apply for NYU Langone Financial Assistance
The application window is 240 days from the date of service. Do not wait. Bills sent to collections are harder to address even with charity care approval. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Contact a Financial Counselor First
Call NYU Langone's free, confidential financial counseling line at 888-279-1364, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Ask them to place a hold on your account while your application is reviewed. This prevents collections activity during the process.
Step 2: Get the Right Application
There are multiple NYU Langone financial assistance forms. For hospital (inpatient and outpatient) bills, use the NYS Uniform Hospital Financial Assistance Application, available at nyulangone.org/insurance-billing-financial-assistance. For physician group (FGP) bills — which appear as separate line items — you need the Faculty Group Practice Financial Assistance Application, a different form entirely. Failing to submit the FGP form for physician charges is one of the most common reasons patients receive partial relief when they expected full relief.
Step 3: Gather Your Documents
You do not need to provide every document on this list, but having them ready speeds approval.
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- Proof of New York State residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement)
- Most recent federal tax return (Form 1040) for all household members who file
- Two to three recent pay stubs (or employer letter if income varies)
- Proof of any other income: Social Security award letters, disability benefit statements, child support or alimony documentation
- Proof of health insurance coverage (or documentation of uninsured status)
- Your NYU Langone billing statement or account number
Step 4: Submit the Application
Applications can be submitted in person or by mail. In-person locations as of 2026:
- NYU Langone Tisch Hospital: Skirball Lobby, 560 First Avenue, Room SK (call 866-486-9847)
- NYU Langone Hospital Brooklyn: 150 55th Street, Suite 2-40 (call 718-630-6252)
Step 5: Wait for the Written Decision
NYU Langone is required to notify you within 30 days of receiving a complete application. Keep copies of everything you submit and note the submission date.
Step 6: If Approved, Verify the Adjustment
After approval, confirm the discount was applied to your account before making any payment. Ask for a revised bill in writing showing the adjusted balance.
Step 7: If Denied, Appeal
You have the right to appeal any denial. The denial notice must explain the reason and describe the appeal process. You can also contact Community Health Advocates at 888-614-5400 for free help appealing a decision.
Documents Checklist
- Government photo ID
- Proof of NY residency
- Most recent tax return (all adult household members)
- 2 to 3 recent pay stubs
- Social Security or disability award letters (if applicable)
- Child support or alimony documentation (if applicable)
- Current health insurance cards or proof of uninsured status
- NYU Langone billing statement
Common Reasons Applications Get Denied
- Missing the FGP application. Physician charges and hospital charges require separate forms. Submitting only the hospital form leaves physician bills unpaid.
- Incomplete income documentation. If any adult household member's income is not documented, the application may be rejected or undercalculated.
- Wrong household size. NYU Langone uses the same household definition as the IRS. Dependents who do not live with you but are claimed on your tax return still count.
- Applying after 240 days. The program has a hard cutoff. Bills older than 240 days from the service date may not be eligible.
- Exceeding 800% FPL. There is no relief available above this threshold through the charity care program, though you can still negotiate a payment plan or hardship plan with the billing department.
The Hidden Step Most Patients Miss: Check for Billing Errors First
Before applying for financial assistance, run your bill through the CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer. The CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer compares each charge on your NYU Langone statement against Medicare reference rates and flags common billing errors, duplicate charges, and unbundled procedure codes. Hospital bills frequently contain coding errors that inflate the balance before any discount is applied. If you qualify for a 75% discount on an incorrectly inflated bill, you are still overpaying.
The CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer is free. Upload your bill and get results in about 30 seconds. Then apply for charity care with accurate knowledge of what you actually owe.
NYU Langone Financial Assistance vs. New York Medicaid in 2026
If your income is below 138% FPL (roughly $22,025 for a single person in 2026), you likely qualify for New York Medicaid, which covers future medical costs rather than past bills. New York uses NY State of Health as its marketplace and Medicaid enrollment portal at nystateofhealth.ny.gov.
| Program | Income Limit | What It Covers | Applies To |
|---|
| NYU Langone Full Charity Care | Up to 600% FPL | Existing hospital bill | Past services |
| NYU Langone Partial Discount | 601% to 800% FPL | Existing hospital bill | Past services |
| New York Medicaid | Up to 138% FPL (adults) | Future medical costs | Ongoing coverage |
| ACA Marketplace (NY State of Health) | 100% to 400% FPL | Subsidized insurance | Ongoing coverage |
If you are currently uninsured, addressing your NYU Langone bill through charity care and enrolling in coverage for future care are two separate steps. Check your eligibility for New York coverage programs before your next appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NYU Langone financial assistance cover physician bills separately from hospital bills?
Yes. NYU Langone Hospitals and NYU Faculty Group Practice (FGP) bill separately. You must submit the hospital financial assistance application for facility charges and the FGP application for physician charges. The income thresholds are similar, but the applications are distinct. If you only submit one form, only one category of charges will be reviewed.
What income counts toward the 600% FPL threshold?
NYU Langone counts gross household income: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, disability payments, rental income, alimony, child support, and other regular income. Household size includes everyone in your tax household, not just people sharing your address.
Can I apply for financial assistance if I already have health insurance?
Yes. Insured patients qualify if their out-of-pocket costs (deductibles, coinsurance, copays) total more than 10% of annual household income. Collect your Explanation of Benefits documents showing what insurance paid, then apply with proof of your remaining balance.
How long does NYU Langone take to process the application?
The hospital must notify you within 30 days of receiving a complete application. Incomplete applications pause the clock. If you have not received a decision after 30 days, call 888-279-1364 and ask for a status update.
Is there a deadline to apply?
Yes. Applications must be submitted within 240 days of the date of service. Applications submitted after 240 days are generally ineligible. If your bill is approaching this deadline, call immediately to request an extension or to understand your options.
What happens to my bill while the application is being reviewed?
Request a billing hold when you first call. NYU Langone can place your account on hold to prevent collections activity during the review period. This is not automatic — you must ask for it.
Can undocumented patients apply?
Emergency services at NYU Langone are covered for all patients regardless of immigration status. For non-emergency care, the program applies to New York State residents; the financial assistance policy does not require proof of citizenship or legal immigration status for the assistance itself, though income and residency documentation is required.
What if I was already billed or sent to collections?
If your bill was sent to a collections agency, contact NYU Langone's billing department first to see if the account can be recalled. Some accounts are recalled and reviewed for charity care even after transfer to collections. Act quickly and document every conversation.
How do I find billing errors before applying?
Upload your bill to the CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer. It checks for overcharges, duplicate line items, and procedure codes that should have been bundled together. Finding errors before applying ensures your charity care discount is applied to the correct base amount.
Upload your hospital bill to the free CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer to find errors, overcharges, and charity care options in 30 seconds.
