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Kankakee, Kankakee County, IL
Under Illinois law, Riverside Medical Center must offer free or discounted care to eligible low-income and uninsured patients. Here's what the law guarantees — and how to apply.
Under Illinois Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act (210 ILCS 89), Riverside Medical Center must provide FREE care to uninsured patients at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, and discounted care for patients up to 600%. The hospital may collect no more than 20% of your yearly family income.
This is the legal minimum — Riverside Medical Center may offer more generous help. The only way to know is to apply, and applying is always free.
Apply within 90 days of receiving your bill — that is the deadline to claim this discount under Illinois law, so apply as soon as it arrives.
Based on Illinois Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act (210 ILCS 89), checked against the official source on 2026-08-04 — an automatic check, not a review by a person. See the official source ↗
(a) Eligibility. (1) A hospital, other than a rural hospital or Critical Access Hospital, shall provide a discount from its charges to any uninsured patient who applies for a discount and has family income of not more than 600% of the federal poverty income guidelines ... (2) A hospital, other than a rural hospital or Critical Access Hospital, shall provide a charitable discount of 100% of its charges ... to any uninsured patient who applies for a discount and has family income of not more than 200% of the federal poverty income guidelines. (3) A rural hospital or Critical Access Hospital shall provide a discount from its charges to any uninsured patient who applies for a discount and has annual family income of not more than 300% of the federal poverty income guidelines ... (4) A rural hospital or Critical Access Hospital shall provide a charitable discount of 100% of its charges ... to any uninsured patient who applies for a discount and has family income of not more than 125% of the federal poverty income guidelines. ... (c)(1) The maximum amount that may be collected in a 12-month period for health care services provided by the hospital from a patient determined by that hospital to be eligible under subsection (a) is 20% of the patient's family income, and is subject to the patient's continued eligibility under this Act. [210 ILCS 89/15(b):] Hospitals shall permit an uninsured patient to apply for a discount within 90 days of the date of discharge, date of service, completion of the screening under the Fair Patient Billing Act, or denial of an application for a public health insurance program.
When you call, say: “I'd like to apply for financial assistance (charity care) for a hospital bill. Can you send me the application and tell me which documents I need?”
Answer 3 quick questions and get a personalized plan plus a ready-to-send request letter — free, in your language.
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