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Hospital bill help if you're undocumented in California
If you're undocumented and worried about a hospital bill, you still have real options in California — and getting help usually will not affect your immigration case. Here's what you're entitled to and how to ask for it safely.
Charity care does not depend on your immigration status
Under California's Hospital Fair Pricing Act (Health & Safety Code §127400 and following), hospitals must offer free or discounted care based on your income and household size — not your immigration status. A hospital generally cannot require a Social Security number or proof of legal status to give you charity care, and if you're missing a document you can often provide a signed statement instead. Applying costs nothing.
Emergency and full-scope Medi-Cal, regardless of status
Emergency Medi-Cal (restricted-scope Medi-Cal) covers emergency and urgent care for income-eligible people regardless of immigration status, and it can be applied retroactively to a recent emergency. As of January 1, 2024, California also opened full-scope Medi-Cal to all income-eligible adults regardless of immigration status. If your income is low, it's worth checking whether Medi-Cal will cover the bill.
Getting help usually will not affect your immigration case
The federal “public charge” rule does not count most health coverage against you. Using Medi-Cal (except long-term care in an institution), emergency medical services, hospital charity care, or Covered California is generally not held against you in a green-card or visa decision. This is general information, not legal advice — if you have a specific case, a nonprofit immigration attorney can confirm what applies to you.
How Cobijo can help — free, private, in your language
Cobijo Health is a free, nonprofit tool. We don't ask your immigration status and we don't save anything you enter. Tell us your hospital, income, and household size, and we'll show whether you may qualify for free or discounted care there, screen you for Medi-Cal, and write you a request letter you can send — in your language.
What to remember
- Hospital charity care is based on income, not immigration status.
- You generally don't need a Social Security number or proof of status to apply.
- Emergency Medi-Cal covers emergencies regardless of status.
- Using health care or Medi-Cal generally won't affect a public-charge decision.
- Cobijo doesn't ask your status and saves nothing you enter.
See what help you may qualify for
Answer a few quick questions — no status asked, nothing saved — and get a personalized plan plus a ready-to-send letter, free and in your language.
Check if you qualify →Cobijo Health gives you information, not legal, medical, financial, or tax advice. Results are estimates based on what you enter and public hospital policies — they are not a decision or a guarantee. Only the hospital can decide if you qualify. Cobijo is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any hospital.
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