Care you can afford

Can't afford care? Help exists — most people don't know it.

One in three Americans skipped care last year because of cost (KFF, 2026). You don't have to.

Below are the four programs that help the most people — all free to apply for, most free to use, and most require only a form and proof of income.

8 min read Updated April 2026

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Program 1

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

FQHCs are community health centers that charge on a sliding scale based on your income. For many low-income patients the cost per visit is $0 to $35 — even if you have no insurance. There are about 1,400 FQHC organizations operating ~14,000 sites across the US.

Services include primary care, behavioral health, dental, and often pharmacy. They cannot turn you away for inability to pay. You don't need to be uninsured — many people with high-deductible plans use them to avoid out-of-pocket costs.

Find a health center near you (HRSA)

Program 2

Hospital Charity Care (§501(r))

Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) hospital organizations are federally required to maintain and publicize a Financial Assistance Policy (FAP). Eligibility and discount amounts are set by each covered hospital’s policy.

Income thresholds vary by hospital, and some policies provide free or discounted care well above the federal poverty line. Federal rules generally preserve an application period through day 240 after the first post-discharge billing statement; check the hospital’s current policy, dates, and provider coverage before relying on it.

Ask Lysco to draft the application letter

Or use Dollar For — a free nonprofit that helps you apply

Program 3

Prescription Assistance

Half of Americans earning under $40,000 have skipped a prescription because of cost. The drug manufacturer almost certainly has a patient assistance program (PAP) — often giving the medication free or at deep discount to income-qualified patients.

NeedyMeds — searchable database of every drug's assistance program. needymeds.org
RxAssist — directory of manufacturer PAPs by drug. rxassist.org
340B pharmacies at FQHCs and participating hospitals offer deep discounts to qualifying patients.

If your insurance is denying the drug specifically (not just making it expensive), Lysco's denial-appeal flow can help.

Program 4

ACA Marketplace Subsidies + Medicaid

4 in 5 Marketplace enrollees can get a plan for $10/month or less after subsidies. Many don't apply because they assume they won't qualify or don't know open enrollment is happening.

Medicaid covers adults up to 138% of federal poverty level in expansion states (and higher in some). Enrollment is year-round — not just open enrollment. If your income drops for any reason (job loss, reduced hours), check eligibility immediately.

HealthCare.gov Medicaid.gov

Lysco provides informational resources only. We don't administer these programs and can't guarantee eligibility or outcomes. Each program has its own rules and application process — follow the official links above.