← Know Your Rights

Do not avoid emergency care because of fear or insurance status.

• Under federal law, ERs typically must screen and stabilize emergencies regardless of ability to pay or status.
• Many hospitals offer financial assistance / charity care programs — ask billing.
• Community health centers (FQHCs) treat everyone on a sliding scale.
• You generally have a right to language interpretation in many federally-funded settings.
• Ask before signing financial responsibility forms.
• Bring ID if available, but do not skip emergency care.