US Medical Term · administration
Charity Care
Atención de Caridad
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Charity Care |
| Spanish (Español) | Atención de Caridad |
| Chinese (中文) | 慈善医疗 |
| Korean (한국어) | 무료 의료 지원 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Chăm sóc từ thiện |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Charity Care |
| Portuguese (Português) | Atendimento Gratuito |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การดูแลสุขภาพแบบการกุศล |
| Japanese (日本語) | 無償医療（チャリティケア） |
What it means
Charity care is free or reduced-cost medical care provided by hospitals to patients who cannot afford to pay. Non-profit hospitals are required by federal law to have written financial assistance policies (FAPs) and must provide charity care as a condition of their tax-exempt status. Eligibility is typically income-based, often using a percentage of the federal poverty level. Patients must apply — charity care is not automatic — and may need to provide income documentation. Applications can often be submitted after receiving care.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I am uninsured and my income is low — am I eligible for the hospital charity care program?
No tengo seguro y mis ingresos son bajos — ¿soy elegible para el programa de atención caritativa del hospital?
The billing office told me to apply for charity care before they send my bill to collections.
La oficina de facturación me dijo que solicitara atención caritativa antes de enviar mi factura a cobranzas.
The hospital charity care application asks for my last two years of tax returns.
La solicitud de atención caritativa del hospital pide mis declaraciones de impuestos de los últimos dos años.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Related guide
→ US Guide: hospital financial assistance and charity careSources
Last reviewed: September 2026