Frequently asked questions
Honest answers to the questions people ask most. Still stuck? Email [email protected].
Is it really free?
Yes. Cobijo Health is completely free to use, with no catch. It's run as a nonprofit project — nobody profits from it, we don't charge you, and we don't take a cut of anything you save. There's nothing to buy and no account to create.
Is my information safe? Do you save what I enter?
We don't save your answers at all. What you type is used only to calculate your result in the moment, then it's gone — there's no account and no database of your answers. We never sell them, and we never share them with your hospital, the government, or immigration. One technical exception, so you have the full picture: to check Medicaid and ACA eligibility our server sends an anonymous household — income amount, household size, and state, with nothing that identifies you — to PolicyEngine, an open-source nonprofit rules engine. See our Privacy page for details.
Will getting help hurt my immigration case ("public charge")?
For most people, no. Under current federal rules, using Medi-Cal, CHIP, Covered California, emergency care, or a hospital's financial-assistance (charity care) program does not count against you in a "public charge" immigration test — and hospital charity care is not a government benefit at all. Public charge also does not apply to many people, including green-card renewals, citizenship applicants, and refugee, asylee, U-visa, T-visa, and VAWA cases. This is general information, not legal advice, and immigration rules can change. For your specific situation, please talk to a trusted immigration attorney or a nonprofit legal-aid organization before making a decision.
Can I use this if I'm undocumented?
Yes. Hospital charity care is based on income and household size, not immigration status, and California hospitals must offer it to everyone who qualifies. In California, Medi-Cal is also available to income-eligible people regardless of immigration status, though enrollment rules can change over time. We don't ask for your immigration status and we don't save your answers.
How accurate is this? Is it a guarantee?
Cobijo gives you an estimate based on the information you enter and each hospital's own published financial-assistance policy. It is not a decision and not a guarantee. Only the hospital can approve your assistance — always confirm with the hospital's financial-assistance office. If we ever aren't sure about a hospital's policy, we tell you.
What if my bill already went to collections?
You may still have options. In many cases you can apply for charity care even after a bill has gone to collections, and California law gives you rights when a hospital bill is being collected. Cobijo explains those rights and can point you to free legal aid.
Do I need insurance to use this?
No. Cobijo is built especially for uninsured and self-pay patients, but insured patients with high out-of-pocket bills can qualify for help too. Enter your situation and we'll tell you what may apply.
Who's behind Cobijo, and is it a real nonprofit?
Cobijo Health was founded by Ian Duncan. It is an independent nonprofit project — not yet a separate legal entity — and is seeking fiscal sponsorship by an established 501(c)(3), which lets it operate as a charitable project. It's open-source and built in the public interest. Learn more on our About page.
What languages does Cobijo speak?
Cobijo works in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, Armenian, Farsi, Arabic, and Russian. Use the language menu at the top of any page to switch.