Hospital Care & Payment: Understanding Your Rights and Financial Obligations

Hospitals are required by law to provide emergency care to anyone who needs it, regardless of their ability to pay. This means that even if you do not have health insurance or the money to pay for treatment, you will still be treated if you are in a medical emergency. However, hospitals are not required to provide non-emergency care to patients who cannot pay. This means that if you need elective surgery or other non-emergency care, you may be required to pay for it upfront or make a payment plan before the hospital will provide the care.