Memorial Sloan Kettering: Financial Assistance for Patients Anywhere in the U.S.

Who the program reaches

MSK’s program is open to patients who live in the U.S., with no primary service area line. The policy says new patients who reside or work in New York, New Jersey or anywhere in the United States may qualify once MSK’s clinicians confirm they need care at MSK and the patient expresses financial hardship. Existing patients may qualify wherever they live in the U.S.

State law sets a narrower minimum: assistance for emergency care to any New York State resident, and for non-emergency care to residents of the hospital’s primary service area. MSK’s policy reaches further on both counts.

• New York State resident with an emergency bill: the state floor applies to that bill whatever the program’s conditions say.
• Living elsewhere in the U.S.: the state’s residence rules are written for New Yorkers; MSK’s own terms are what reach you.
• Living outside the U.S.: the program is not open to you, and the state’s emergency rule reaches New York State residents. MSK directs people abroad to its International Center.

How to apply at MSK

MSK accepts applications through several channels. Use one that leaves a record.

An approval generally lasts one year, and MSK asks for updated financial information every year.

Two weeks, and the letter you must answer

MSK’s policy promises speed once a file is complete: with every required document in, the case is completed within two weeks. State law allows up to 30 days.

The risk sits before that point. If something is missing, MSK sends a missing document letter. After a month without an answer it sends a reminder, and after another month without an answer it denies the application.

So answer every letter from Patient Financial Services, even to say a document is on its way. Your financial counselor’s number is printed on those letters. After a denial for silence, the policy says you may reapply at any time once you have the information.

If MSK finds you ineligible and you disagree, you have 30 days to appeal by calling the Patient Financial Services Director, published as 212-639-7942. MSK then schedules a review with its appeals committee.

Before the number

Before you pay anything, do three things.

Ask for an itemized bill from Patient Billing Services, published as 646-227-3378. For callers who do not live in New York, MSK lists a separate line, published as 866-248-1274.

Check that insurance processed the claim, and match the bill against your plan’s explanation of benefits.

Apply before the account ages. MSK’s billing and collection policy describes five statements over 180 days, then a pre-collection letter giving 30 days to pay, contact MSK or apply. If nothing happens before the 210th day, the account goes to an outside collection agency. The state’s uniform application, which MSK uses, says accounts may not go to collection while an application is pending. What collectors may do.

One more MSK-specific point: its summary says physician consultants at MSK locations who are not MSK employees do not bill separately, and their charges are covered too.

The floor that applies regardless

MSK’s policy was revised February 5, 2026, according to its footer, and it sets the income line at five times the poverty level. The state floor still binds whatever a posted document says:

• At or below 200% of the federal poverty level: nothing out of pocket for medically necessary care
• 201% to 300%: no more than 10% of the Medicaid rate; 301% to 400%: no more than 20%
• No asset test, immigration status not considered, a written decision in 30 days, no lawsuit below 400%, payment plans capped at 5% of monthly income and 2% interest, 180 days before collections, applications accepted at any stage

MSK’s own terms go further in places. Its application waives all charges at or below 500% of the poverty level; for insured patients, MSK accepts what the plan pays as payment in full. Above 500%, it weighs monthly bills against net income.

If the answer falls short, the Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau Helpline takes complaints at 800-428-9071. New York’s medical debt rules, with dates.