The Hospital Bill
N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.52 — 115% of Medicare for uninsured residents under 500% of poverty
In New Jersey, a licensed hospital charges an uninsured resident whose family gross income is less than 500% of the federal poverty level no more than 115% of the applicable Medicare payment rate for the services, following a sliding scale based on income.
Admission does not depend on payment. No hospital may deny any admission or appropriate service to a patient on the basis of ability to pay or source of payment. A hospital that does is liable to a civil penalty of $10,000 for each violation.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionAn uninsured patient pays whatever the hospital bills | What the law actually doesUnder 500% of the federal poverty level, no more than 115% of the Medicare rate |
| The assumptionA hospital can turn away someone who cannot pay | What the law actually doesNo denial of admission or appropriate service based on ability to pay |
Insurance appeals, surprise billing rules and the federal rules for nonprofit hospitals are not all on this page. Whether a particular bill qualifies, or a particular collection step was allowed, is a question for a licensed New Jersey attorney. The hospital charity care program run by the state is not described on this page.
Sources for this section (2)
- N.J.S.A. 26:2H-12.52 — Limitation on charges for certain uninsured patients
- N.J.S.A. 26:2H-18.64 — Denial of admission on ability to pay; penalty
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New Jersey attorney.