Last Updated: | Author: Munir Ardi
Quick answer: Intermountain Health, often searched as IHC or Intermountain Healthcare, offers financial assistance for qualifying medically necessary care. Under its 2026 policy, eligible uninsured and underinsured patients with household income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may receive fully discounted care. Patients above 250% and up to 500% may receive a partial discount, while some households above 500% may qualify under the medical-hardship provision.
Start here: Use the official Intermountain Health financial assistance page and select the region where you received care.
A large Intermountain bill is not automatically the final amount you must pay. Financial assistance may reduce or fully discount eligible charges, but approval is not automatic. It depends on household income, family size, the type of service, the entity that issued the bill, residency rules for non-emergency care, and cooperation with requests to pursue available insurance or public coverage.
This guide focuses specifically on the Intermountain Health program. For the broader process of reviewing hospital bills, insurance adjustments, and prescription costs, see our medical bills and prescription assistance guide.
What Is IHC Financial Assistance?
“IHC financial assistance” is a common search term for the Financial Assistance Program operated by Intermountain Health, formerly branded as Intermountain Healthcare. It is not a cash grant paid to the patient. It is a hospital financial-assistance policy that can reduce the patient’s responsibility for eligible care billed by covered Intermountain entities and providers.
The program generally covers emergency and other medically necessary services. It may help patients who are uninsured, underinsured, ineligible for another program, or otherwise unable to pay based on their household circumstances.
| Income category | Possible assistance under the 2026 policy | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| At or below 250% FPL | Fully discounted care for eligible services | The patient must meet the other policy requirements and pursue available payment or coverage sources. |
| Above 250% through 500% FPL | Discounted care | The remaining patient responsibility depends on Intermountain’s applicable calculation. |
| Above 500% FPL | Possible medical-hardship assistance | Qualifying Intermountain out-of-pocket obligations must exceed 25% of annual family income; approved charges are limited to 25% of that income. |
These categories summarize Intermountain Health’s 2026 policy. They are not approval guarantees or a substitute for an eligibility determination.
2026 Income Reference for 250% and 500% FPL
Intermountain bases its evaluation on family size and gross annual household income and states that it updates its federal poverty table annually. The following calculations use the 2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. They can help you estimate where your household falls, but Intermountain makes the final determination.
| Household size | 100% FPL | 250% FPL | 500% FPL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $39,900 | $79,800 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $54,100 | $108,200 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $68,300 | $136,600 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $82,500 | $165,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $96,700 | $193,400 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $110,900 | $221,800 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $125,100 | $250,200 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $139,300 | $278,600 |
For households larger than eight, the 2026 HHS guideline adds $5,680 for each additional person before calculating the percentage. Verify the source figures through the official 2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines.
Who May Qualify?
Intermountain’s policy considers uninsured and underinsured patients who cannot afford eligible care. Having insurance does not automatically disqualify you. A person with a high deductible, coinsurance, or other patient responsibility may still be evaluated.
Other important requirements include:
- Financial need: Intermountain reviews household size and gross annual household income.
- Available coverage: Applicants may be expected to cooperate with applications for Medicaid, Medicare, COBRA, insurance, or other available funding sources.
- Service-area rules: Residency within an Intermountain service area may be required for non-emergency hospital services. Emergency care is covered by the policy regardless of residency when the other requirements are met.
- Immigration status: Intermountain’s 2026 policy states that financial need determinations do not consider social or immigration status.
- Type of care: The service must generally be emergency or medically necessary care covered by the policy.
Which Bills Are Covered?
The most important practical step is to identify who issued each bill. One hospital visit can produce separate bills from the facility, an employed physician, an independent emergency physician, an anesthesiologist, a radiologist, a laboratory, or an ambulance company.
The 2026 Intermountain policy generally includes:
- trauma and emergency services provided in an emergency setting;
- care for a condition that could worsen if treatment were delayed;
- non-elective services responding to life-threatening circumstances; and
- other medically necessary services scheduled in advance and approved by Intermountain.
The policy generally does not cover:
- elective procedures that are not medically necessary, including cosmetic services;
- independent providers whose services are not billed through Intermountain;
- private-duty nursing and independent ambulance transportation; or
- care at locations specifically excluded from the policy, currently including Mount Saint Vincent, Saltzer Health clinics, and Tellica Imaging locations.
An excluded provider may operate a separate assistance program. Call the number printed on that provider’s bill and ask for its financial assistance or hardship policy. Our general hospital-bill financial assistance guide explains how to organize bills from multiple entities.
How to Apply for Intermountain Financial Assistance
- Choose the correct region. The official portal separates applications for Utah, Idaho, and Nevada from applications for Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming.
- Check every bill. Confirm that the account belongs to an Intermountain hospital, clinic, or covered employed provider.
- Complete the regional application. Current regional forms allow submission through the methods listed on the form. Intermountain also states that patients may apply through MyChart or in person.
- Attach the requested evidence. Submit only the documentation requested for your situation and make sure the application is signed and dated.
- Keep proof of submission. Save a copy of the complete application, attachments, fax confirmation, upload receipt, email, or certified-mail record.
- Respond promptly. If a counselor says the application is incomplete, ask for a written list of missing items and the deadline for supplying them.
Use the official regional page for current forms and contact details:
- Utah, Idaho, and Nevada financial assistance — financial counselor: 866-415-6556.
- Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming financial assistance — billing and payment assistance: 866-665-2636.
Application checklist
- Completed, signed, and dated regional application
- Account number and the state where care was received
- Current household size
- Recent income evidence requested on the form
- Self-employment profit-and-loss records, if applicable
- Benefit or retirement award letters, if applicable
- Insurance information and Medicaid denial letter, if applicable
- Copies of other documents specifically requested for your circumstances
- Proof showing when and how the application was submitted
What If the Bill Is Already in Collections?
Apply as soon as possible. Intermountain’s policy allows a financial-assistance determination during the collection cycle, and its public information says patients may still apply after a bill has been sent to collections.
Federal Section 501(r) rules distinguish ordinary billing activity from extraordinary collection actions (ECAs), such as certain lawsuits, liens, or adverse credit reporting. The federal rules generally provide a 120-day notification period and a 240-day application period beginning with the first post-discharge billing statement. When a patient submits a complete application during the application period, the hospital must suspend ECAs for the care while it determines eligibility.
This does not mean every routine billing communication automatically stops the moment an incomplete form is sent. Ask Intermountain to confirm in writing that the application is complete, what collection activity has been suspended, and which account numbers are under review. Do not ignore court papers or formal deadlines. Read the IRS explanation of Section 501(r) billing and collections for the federal framework.
What Happens After Intermountain Makes a Decision?
Intermountain says it will provide its decision in writing within a reasonable timeframe. Under the 2026 policy:
- An approval generally lasts for 12 months.
- Assistance is also applied to eligible accounts for services received before the application date.
- If financial circumstances change after a denial, the patient may reapply. A new application is required if more than six months have passed since the initial denial.
- A patient may appeal a denial or dispute how the policy was applied. The written appeal should be submitted within 90 days of the financial-assistance determination.
If approved, compare the decision with every related statement. If a bill remains, ask whether it came from an excluded provider, a non-covered service, an account not included in the review, or a remaining balance after a partial discount.
Other Options If You Do Not Receive Full Assistance
- Uninsured discount: Intermountain states that uninsured hospital patients who do not qualify for other assistance programs receive an automatic discount.
- Medical hardship: Ask for this review if income exceeds 500% FPL but qualifying Intermountain obligations exceed 25% of annual family income.
- Payment plan: Intermountain’s policy allows a reasonable plan for a balance remaining after financial assistance. Request all terms in writing before agreeing.
- Colorado Hospital Discounted Care: Colorado residents may have additional rights under the state’s Hospital Discounted Care program.
- Prescription assistance: Hospital financial assistance does not automatically cover prescriptions filled by an outside pharmacy. Review our guide to financial assistance for prescription drugs.
A Muslim Perspective: Seeking Help While Avoiding Riba
Muslim patients who want to avoid riba can begin with options that do not create interest-bearing debt. Applying for a hospital discount or cancellation of eligible charges is different from borrowing money: approved financial assistance reduces the amount owed and does not require repayment of the discounted portion.
Ask for Financial Assistance Before Financing the Balance
Submit the financial-assistance application and obtain the written decision before moving a large balance to a credit card or medical-financing product. Once hospital debt is converted into third-party consumer credit, the hospital’s assistance policy may not resolve the new credit obligation.
Do Not Assume Every Payment Plan Is Interest-Free
Intermountain’s public policy says a reasonable payment plan may be established, but the policy does not promise on its face that every arrangement has no interest or fees. Before signing, ask for written answers to these questions:
- Is the plan administered directly by Intermountain or by a third party?
- What are the annual percentage rate, finance charges, setup fees, and late fees?
- Can interest be charged retroactively after a missed payment or promotional period?
- Will accepting the plan affect a pending financial-assistance application?
If the terms are unclear, ask a trusted imam or scholar who understands Islamic finance to review the actual agreement. Avoid making a religious determination from marketing phrases such as “easy payments” or “0% promotional financing” alone.
Consider Zakat and Community Support Carefully
A local mosque, zakat committee, hospital chaplain, or Muslim social-service organization may be able to assess whether a patient qualifies for assistance as a person in financial hardship or debt. Availability and eligibility vary, so do not assume that zakat will cover a particular bill. ICNA Relief lists financial and emergency assistance among its services, but support is location- and case-dependent; see its official programs directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for IHC financial assistance in 2026?
Under Intermountain Health’s 2026 policy, eligible uninsured and underinsured patients with household income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may receive fully discounted care. Patients above 250% and up to 500% may receive discounted care. Some households above 500% may qualify for medical-hardship assistance when qualifying Intermountain obligations exceed 25% of annual family income.
Can insured patients apply for Intermountain financial assistance?
Yes. Intermountain’s policy includes underinsured patients, but insurance coverage does not guarantee approval or full cancellation of a deductible. The patient must meet the program’s financial, service, documentation, and other eligibility requirements.
Can I apply if my Intermountain bill is already in collections?
Yes. Intermountain says financial-assistance eligibility can be determined during the collection cycle. Apply promptly, ask whether the application is complete, and request written confirmation about the accounts and collection actions affected by the review.
Does Intermountain financial assistance cover ambulance and independent doctor bills?
Not automatically. The policy generally excludes independent providers not billed through Intermountain, including independent physician services and ambulance transportation. Ask each separate provider whether it has its own financial-assistance or hardship program.
Does Intermountain consider immigration status?
Intermountain’s 2026 policy states that financial-assistance decisions are based on financial need and do not consider immigration status. Immigration consequences can depend on individual circumstances, so anyone with a case-specific concern should consult a qualified immigration legal-services provider.
Can I appeal an Intermountain financial-assistance denial?
Yes. Intermountain’s 2026 policy allows patients to dispute how the policy was applied or appeal an eligibility denial. The basis should be submitted in writing within 90 days of the financial-assistance determination.
Important disclaimer: StartGrants.com is an independent information portal and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Intermountain Health. This article does not provide medical, legal, financial, immigration, or religious advice. Policies, forms, contact details, and income guidelines can change. Confirm current requirements with Intermountain Health and obtain qualified professional advice for your circumstances.
