Financial Assistance :: Nationwide Children's Hospital

Financial Assistance Options for Families

Healthy Start and Healthy Families

Healthy Start and Healthy Families are programs that offer free (or low cost) health care coverage to families, children under age 19, and pregnant women. Coverage includes doctor visits, hospital care, and pregnancy related services. It will pay for medicine, vision, dental, substance abuse, mental health services and much more. Healthy Start is designed to keep working families working.

To Qualify for Healthy Start

  • For children - must be at or below 200% of the FPL
  • For pregnant women - must be at or below 150% of the FPL
  • To Qualify for Healthy Families - must be at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

Children and families with incomes between 151% - 200% of the federal poverty levels cannot have creditable health insurance at the time of application to be eligible for healthy start.

To Get an Application
You can connect with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) in three ways:

Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH)

BCMH pays for the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for children with handicaps. Families may receive full BCMH coverage or be eligible for the BCMH cost-share program, depending on their circumstance. You need to apply for, and use other health insurance first (such as Healthy Start or private insurance).

To Qualify for BCMH - Your child must have an eligible medical handicap, and be:

  • Under the age of 21
  • An Ohio resident
  • Under the care of a BCMH-approved doctor
  • Have an eligible medical handicap

To Connect to BCMH -

Medicaid for the Disabled and Aged

Children and adults with permanent or long-term disabling conditions may qualify for Medicaid. The benefits will pay for a wide range of health services. These include hospital, doctor's services, home care services, and special equipment needed in the home. To receive this coverage you must apply for, and be found eligible for, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI).

Call Nationwide Children's at 614-722-2070 or 1-888-851-7590

Alien Emergency Medical Assistance (AEMA)

Certain immigrants may qualify for Medicaid for emergency medical conditions. The County Department of Jobs and Family Services decides who can receive AEMA. They review the person's status and get the required records about Medicaid eligibility. People do not have to be citizens of the United States to qualify for AEMA.

Call Nationwide Children's at 614-722-6855

Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP)

HCAP is Ohio's version of the federal Disproportionate Share Hospital Program. It provides hospital services for those whose income falls below 100% of the poverty level, and who are not eligible for Medicaid. This program is for the hospital bill only. All insurance and third party payers must be billed before you apply for HCAP. Aid may be given only for the part of the bill that is the patient's responsibility.

To qualify for HCAP -

  • you must be a resident of the State of Ohio
  • you must be at or below Federal Poverty Level (see chart below)
  • you cannot be receiving Medicaid

Download the Financial Assistance Application.

Call Nationwide Children's at614-722-2055

Nationwide Children's Hospital Financial Assistance Program

Nationwide Children's expects patients to use all other available resources before financial aid will be considered. This includes applying to the local Department of Job and Family Services. Eligibility for aid is based on the number of dependents in the family and total gross income and assets. Cases that are unusual or extreme will also be considered.

Download the Financial Assistance Application (for the Spanish version click here).

Come Visit our Financial Counselors at Children's Hospital

Counselors Location Phone
Firstsource -
2 Financial Counselors		 Outpatient Care Center (off 18th Street) and in subspecialty clinics, 5th floor of Outpatient Care Center 614-722-2070 or
1-888-851-7590
Franklin County -
1 Caseworker		 Outside the Urgent Care Center (1st floor of the Outpatient Care Center) 614-722-6855 or
614-722-2030
Nationwide Children's -
Financial Counselors		 Admitting Department off the main lobby of the hospital 614-722-2055

We can help. For information regarding other Financial needs your family may have, visit Financial Support. Call Nationwide Children's at 614-722-2055

2012 POVERTY INCOME GUIDELINES

Family Size

Income 100% FPL

Income 150% FPL

Income 200% FPL

Income 300% FPL

Income 400% FPL

1

$11,170

$16,755

$22,340

$33,510

$44,680

2

$15,130

$22,695

$30,260

$45,390

$60,520

3

$19,090

$28,635

$38,180

$57,270

$76,360

4

$23,050

$34,575

$46,100

$69,150

$92,200

5

$27,010

$40,515

$54,020

$81,030

$108,040

6

$30,970

$46,455

$61,940

$92,910

$123,880

7

$34,930

$52,395

$69,860

$104,790

$139,720

8

$38,890

$58,335

$77,780

$116,670

$155,560

For each additional person, add

$3,960

$5,940

$7,920

$11,880

$15,840
Nationwide Children's Hospital
700 Children's Drive Columbus, Ohio 43205 614.722.2000