Hospital Free Care or Sliding Scale Clinics are income-based programs that help Mainers pay for medical bills. These programs are based on household income and vary by facility. If your Provider is associated with a facility with a Free Care policy, your routine care may also be covered.
No one can be turned away from emergency services regardless of income or insurance. It’s the law. If your income is under a certain level, those services must be provided free of charge. Any hospital in Maine must give you information about the “Free Care” program it offers.
In addition to “Free Care,” many hospitals go “above and beyond” that law and provide care to those at higher income levels on a “Sliding-Scale” system, where the higher your income, the larger part of the bill you’re required to pay.
For more information, and to see if your income is under the guidelines, look for the hospital nearest you in the chart below or download this flyer Hospital Free & Discounted Care. Download this flyer for information on Free Clinics & Sliding Fee Centers near you.
If you don’t find what you need or have questions about any of the information, please contact us. You can call the HelpLine at 1-800-965-7476.
