If you struggle with healthcare or medication expenses or are avoiding care due to cost, you may qualify for assistance from programs managed by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
The financial counselors and the medication assistance team at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center can check if you qualify for financial help, explain your options and guide you through each application process. You can expect confidential, respectful support every step of the way.
Types of healthcare financial assistance available
Our financial counselors can explain qualification levels and help you apply for state or federal sources of assistance including Medicaid, as well as the Hospital Care Assurance Program (HCAP) and the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Financial Assistance Program.
- HCAP applies to hospital/healthcare facility bills of Ohio residents.
- The Wexner Medical Center’s Financial Assistance Program applies to hospital/healthcare facility bills and provider bills.
- View the medical center’s financial policy.
Two medication assistance programs are also available, each with separate application processes. Learn more about them in the Medication Assistance section.
How to get financial help from the Wexner Medical Center for healthcare expenses
If you’d like to apply for healthcare financial assistance through the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, follow these steps.
1. If you have questions about eligibility or want to schedule a confidential appointment with one of our financial counselors:
- Call 614-293-0860.
- Schedule an appointment in MyChart.
MyChart also provides secure online access to your medical records, supports online messaging with your providers and allows you to view bills and set up payment plans. If you haven’t yet signed up, visit mychart.osu.edu.
If you need any healthcare-related documents translated or require translation during a financial counseling meeting, you can request additional language assistance.
2. Review the summary of our financial policy and an overview of available programs.
3. Complete the financial assistance application (with instructions included).
You can print and complete a hard copy, or you can fill out an online application in MyChart using the link listed under the billing tab.
- Application (English) / Instructions (English)
- Application (Arabic) / Instructions (Arabic)
- Application (Chinese) / Instructions (Chinese)
- Application (French) / Instructions (French)
- Application (Nepali) / Instructions (Nepali)
- Application (Russian) / Instructions (Russian)
- Application (Somali) / Instructions (Somali)
- Application (Spanish) / Instructions (Spanish)
4. Return the completed application to the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center financial assistance team, who will contact you with next steps.
You can mail or deliver a printed application to:
-
Financial Assistance – Room 0177
The Ohio State University Hospital
520 W. 10th Ave., Columbus, OH 43210
If you completed the application form in MyChart (under the billing tab), you can submit it directly from there.
How to get an estimate of healthcare costs before treatment
Knowing what your care may cost can help you plan ahead. In the interest of transparency, Ohio State shares a list of standard hospital and outpatient service charges, organized into diagnosis-related groups (DRGs). When reviewing these price lists, note that the average charges for each DRG are included, but that professional provider fees are not included. This means you may receive additional bills from providers who helped with your care (such as an emergency department physician, a surgeon, an anesthesiologist, a pathologist or other specialists).
While charges are subject to change, the most recent service estimates can be found below:
- Price list of standard services at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center
- Price list of standard services at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James)
If you want a more exact estimate of your out-of-pocket costs for care – with provider fees included and insurance coverage considered – you can get an estimate through MyChart, via online request or by phone.
Have health insurance questions or need to sign up for health insurance?
The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and the OSUCCC – James provide care to patients regardless of their health insurance status. Use the information below to learn more about different insurance options.
- Federal Medicaid rules are changing.
- New work requirements were added in 2026.
- Starting in January 2027, Medicaid membership must be redetermined every six months.
- If you’re a current Medicaid member, always read related mail to stay updated.
- See the list of Medicaid plans accepted by Ohio State.
- To see if you’re Medicaid eligible, explore benefits and learn about the application process:
- If you have questions about eligibility or benefits or want help signing up for Medicaid, contact one of the Medicaid experts Ohio State partners with to provide patient support.
- If you were seen in the emergency department at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center University Hospital or at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center East Hospital and would like to explore Medicaid eligibility, please call Elevate at 614-701-9995.
- For any other healthcare services at the Wexner Medical Center or the OSUCCC – James, call FirstSource at 877-554-5123.
- To learn more, read “Medicare guidance simplified.”
- For questions about eligibility, to explore which plan works best for you or to get sign-up assistance, call Chapter at 866-571-0136 or schedule a Chapter meeting online.
Open enrollment information
Medicare open enrollment runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year. This is the only time you can make changes to your coverage (unless you’re turning 65 during the year). Annual coverage changes go into effect each Jan. 1 following open enrollment.
What you can change:
- Medicare Advantage (Plan C) – Join, drop or switch to another plan (with or without drug coverage) or add/drop drug coverage.
- Original Medicare (Parts A and B) – Join or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
- Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
- Medicare Part D – Switch to a different drug plan.
When to sign up for Medicare if you’re turning 65
- Your initial enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after your 65th birthday.
- To avoid delays in coverage, it’s best to enroll the three months prior.
- See when coverage can begin the year you turn 65.
- Affordable Care plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace®
- Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA)
For assistance enrolling in Affordable Care or COBRA, call HealthFundSolutions at 800-304-4005. - A list of all insurance health plans accepted by Ohio State
- Always check with your insurance carrier to determine your policy’s benefits and any pre-visit requirements before scheduling an appointment or procedure.
- If you have specific benefit or coverage questions, contact your insurance carrier directly. Your insurance card should list the best number to call.
- A list of all insurance health plans accepted by Ohio State
How to get medication assistance through the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center
The Wexner Medical Center manages two programs that connect eligible patients to potentially free or less expensive prescription drugs.
Each medication assistance program has its own application process. You do not need to complete the healthcare financial assistance application mentioned above to qualify for either medication program.
1. The Medication Assistance Program (MAP)
Your nurse, doctor, social worker, case manager, patient care resource manager or another care team member can refer you to this program.
You may qualify for MAP if you are:
- Uninsured and not eligible for a public health program
- Insured, but cannot afford prescription co-payments
- Waiting for approval of your public health assistance application
If you have questions about MAP, or want to request an eligibility review:
- Call 614-366-4170, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- If no one is available, leave a message, and someone from MAP will return your call the next business day.
2. The Drug Repository Program
This pharmacist-led program accepts unused medications from the public, screens them for safety and then redistributes them to eligible medical center and OSUCCC – James patients.
The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center’s Drug Repository Program gives donors a safe way to pass along unused medicine, while helping eligible patients lower their medication costs and get the treatment they need.
Learn how to donate or receive medication through the Drug Repository Program. [LINK NEEDED]
Contact Us
- Financial Counseling:
Schedule online, or call 614-293-0860. - Medication Assistance Program:
Call 614-366-4170. - Drug Donation Repository:
Email the DrugRepositoryProgram@osumc.edu.