Virginia Health Care Foundation

Hospitals and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) play a critical in helping low-income and uninsured Virginians get the care they need.

Is there financial assistance available to help me afford hospital care?

Yes. All Virginia hospitals have financial assistance programs to help patients pay their hospital bills. Eligibility for free or discounted care is usually based on the patient’s household income, though other criteria may apply. Financial assistance may also be available to individuals with health insurance.

Each hospital or health system has its own policies for discounted or free care. To learn about a hospital’s financial aid policy, call the hospital’s general information number and ask to speak with the financial assistance office, go to the Financial Assistance Policies on the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) website. The VHHA’s Price Point database also provides the average cost for many services provided by Virginia hospitals.

To find a hospital near you, see this list of hospitals across Virginia.

How can my local Health Department help?

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) provides core public health services through its 35 health district offices and 119 local health departments statewide. Some local health departments also provide medical (like prenatal, STD) and a few offer dental care. Usually, services are provided on a sliding fee determined by household size and income.

Contact your local health district to find out which services are available near you; who is eligible for them; what, if any, costs are involved; and, the days/hours of operation. To find your local health district, check out this interactive map of local health districts statewide.

Last Updated on October 7, 2021