Financial Assistance
As a nonprofit health system, Cedarcrest Health is committed to ensuring that our patients receive necessary medical care regardless of their ability to pay. Our Financial Assistance Policy, sometimes referred to as charity care, provides free or discounted care to eligible patients in accordance with Pennsylvania law and federal requirements for nonprofit hospitals.
Financial assistance is available to patients who receive medically necessary care at Cedarcrest Medical Center or Renner Community Hospital and who meet income eligibility guidelines based on household size and the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Assistance is provided on a sliding scale:
- Patients with household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may qualify for a full write-off of eligible charges
- Patients with household income between 201% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may qualify for a discounted rate based on a sliding scale
- Patients above these thresholds experiencing significant medical debt may still request individual consideration on a case-by-case basis
To apply for financial assistance, patients or their representatives must complete a Financial Assistance Application, along with supporting documentation such as recent pay stubs, tax returns, or proof of public benefits. Applications are available at any registration desk, through the MyCedarcrest portal, or by contacting our Financial Counseling office.
Financial assistance applications may be submitted at any point during the billing process, including after a bill has been sent to collections, though we strongly encourage patients to apply as early as possible. While an application is under review, collection activity on the associated account will be paused.
Under no circumstances will a patient be denied emergency medical care based on their ability to pay, consistent with the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) and Cedarcrest Health’s own mission as a community nonprofit health system.
For questions about eligibility or help completing a Financial Assistance Application, please contact our Financial Counseling office at (814) 555-2288, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Page last reviewed: 04/22/2026