How we review resources

Where information comes from

Every entry links to an official source, such as the organization's own web page or a government page. We write each entry in plain words and check it against those sources.

Some providers’ pages cannot be fully read automatically. Those entries say what still needs confirmation. Always use the official application for the latest terms.

How we check an entry

Each reviewed entry records how it was checked. There are two methods.

Official page reviewed

We compared the entry with the organization’s official web pages. Phone numbers are checked against published sources, not by placing calls, so the entry says it is not verified by phone.

Confirmed with provider

The provider itself confirmed the information. We use this only when that really happened. The entry still says that availability can change.

If an entry has no completed review, it says “Source review incomplete.” Confirm details with the provider.

How often we review

Each reviewed entry has a review interval, counted in days. The default is 90 days, and an entry can set its own. When an entry passes its interval, it is marked Review due until someone checks it again.

What Reviewed means

A date such as Reviewed Nov 2026 is the month someone last compared the entry with its sources. A date changes only when we really check the entry again. An entry reviewed earlier keeps its original date.

Reviewed does not mean a program is open, has stock, or will accept a particular person. Stock, prices, eligibility, and appointments can change at any time.

Income limits

When an entry shows an income limit, it is the limit the program or hospital publishes. We link to where it says so and show when we last reviewed it.

Many limits are a percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). The Income check works out that percent on your device from your household size and income, using the current poverty guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A badge compares one of your answers with a published limit or rule. An income badge can say you are within the limit, close to it, or over it. Other badges compare your coverage or your age. A badge never says that someone is eligible. The program or hospital decides, and it may also look at age, insurance, residency, and assets.

Hospital policies

Nonprofit hospitals with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status must have a written financial assistance policy under section 501(r) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRS). They must also make the policy, the application form, and a plain-language summary widely available on a website. The IRS explains the rules on its pages about financial assistance policies and requirements for 501(c)(3) hospitals.

Each hospital system on Hospital bills comes from that system's own published policy. We link to the policy, the application, and the summary, and we show the date we reviewed it. When a policy does not state a limit as a percent of the poverty level, we say Check the policy instead of guessing. We also list what we could not confirm.

Community feedback

Every resource has a feedback button. People can say they reached someone, could not get through, or found a wrong phone number, a broken link, or a service that changed. A report sends only the resource and the choice. It has no name or contact details.

A report is a self-report, not a verified fact. It points us to a problem to investigate. It does not change an entry by itself. Reports are not shown to the public, and our system is set to remove them after 90 days.

Corrections

If an entry is wrong, send feedback on it. We check the problem against the official source, update the entry if the report is right, and release the fix with the next update of the site. Notable changes to the site are listed on What changed.

What we do not do

• We do not collect or compare prices for medicines, tests or services. We show only amounts a program publishes itself, such as income limits or a fixed copay.
• We do not confirm stock, appointment times, or eligibility.
• We do not run ads or take payment for placement.
• We have no accounts and never ask for names or contact details. Income check answers stay on your device.