Pay My Bill

Cook County Health offers patients several ways to pay their bills.

You may either pay online, by phone, by mail or by making an in-person payment at one of our walk-in locations listed below. We currently accept payments online, in cash, check or money order. Please make any checks or money orders payable to Cook County Health.

Paying Online

Please click here to pay your bill online.

Paying by Phone

Please call (844) 598-9841 to make a payment using our automated phone service. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Paying by Mail

Please send your payment to:
Cook County Health
P.O. Box 70121
Chicago, IL 60673-0121

In-Person Payment
You may make an in-person payment at any of the following locations:
John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital
Cashier’s Office
1901 W. Harrison St. – Suite 1370
Chicago, IL 60612
Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm
Provident Hospital of Cook County
Patient Financial Services Department
500 E. 51st St. – Room 1003
Chicago, IL 60615
Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm
Questions About Your Bill

If you have questions regarding your bill, making a payment, payment arrangements or printing bills, you can visit one of the walk-in locations listed above, or you can call the Billing Office at (866) 223-2817, Option 3.
Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.

Below is a list of current health services costs

Contact information : Kelly Bruhns, System Manager, Revenue Integrity Chge kbruhns@cookcountyhhs.org


Good Faith Estimates

Click here to request cost estimates prior to getting care or to learn more about the “No Surprises Act”.


Accepted Health Insurance Providers

Click here for a list of Cook County Health Accepted Providers.

Financial Assistance Options
Cook County Health will not deny services to any patient based on their ability to pay.

However, federal rules require us to send bills to all patients. If you are uninsured and do not apply for financial assistance, you will still be responsible for the full amount of your bill.

We offer several different financial assistance options for patients who need help paying their bills.

We have financial counseling staff who can help by phone or in person.  We can help with the following:

  • Applying for state and federal assistance programs, such as Medicaid
  • Completing Medicaid redetermination forms
  • Understanding managed care options
  • Completing a Marketplace application
  • Understanding and applying for CCHs financial assistance programs
About CareLink

CareLink is a free program that helps Cook County residents cover the cost of treatment at any Cook County Health facility. CareLink is specifically designed to assist uninsured or underinsured patients and help cover the costs of services at Cook County Health, including clinic visits, lab tests, hospital stays and urgent or emergency services.

Any individual living in Cook County may apply for financial assistance or receive assistance in applying for state and federal assistance. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements to be eligible. Program eligibility determinations are based on analysis of the following criteria:

  • Identification
  • Family size
  • Income
  • Illinois address

To apply for assistance with your bills, you will need to provide proof of the criteria below.

These are just a few examples of acceptable proof.  For a complete list click on Required Documents link below or call the telephone number for a complete list. Additional information may be requested depending on your specific circumstances.

Identification

  • Valid passport
  • Green card
  • Birth certificate
  • Photo ID

Income

  • Paycheck stubs
  • Signed letter from employer with contact information
  • Paid in cash form

Illinois Address

  • Utility bill i.e., gas, electric, water
  • Telephone bill
  • Bank Statement
  • Letter from a church

For more information about CareLink and how to enroll, please call (866) 223-2817. Please keep in mind that individuals eligible for Medicaid, Medicare or other public healthcare programs must apply for these options before applying for CareLink. Our financial counselors will help with applications to these programs first.

Enhanced Benefits for Carelink Participants

Cook County Health’s CareLink financial assistance program now offers enhanced benefits and coordinated access to health care services for uninsured patients. The program aims to provide Care Coordination Services to help individuals stay healthy and avoid unnecessary and expensive visits to the emergency room. Individuals enrolled in the program receive assistance from Care Coordinators who help the patient improve their health through regular clinic visits and check-ins. All Carelink participants are eligible for these enhanced benefits.

To learn more about these benefits, please click below:
About Illinois Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act

Illinois Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act is a discount program established to help residents living in the State of Illinois (but outside of Cook County) who are uninsured to pay for their health care services at Cook County Health.

Cook County Health accommodates and respects all cultures and backgrounds. We have staff who can provide direct assistance in English, Spanish, and Polish and have access to 170 additional languages through an interpreter phone line. It is our mission to deliver health services with dignity and respect, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay or where they are from.

For more information, you can download and review the policy below or call (866) 223-2817 or (312) 864-2224, Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm or Saturdays from 8am to 4pm.

Financial Assistance Policy – English

Financial Assistance Policy – Spanish

Financial Assistance Policy – Polish

How to apply

To apply for Financial Assistance Program, patients can complete one of the below applications and walk-in to the nearest Cook County Health facility to speak with a financial counselor. Individuals should be prepared to give basic information about household size and income; and the birth dates of individuals living in the household.

Download and complete a Financial Assistance Application:
To see a list of documents required to submit an application, please click below:

Assistance is available on a sliding scale. You may be responsible for service fees, which will be explained when applying for financial assistance. Patients have 90 days from date of service(s) to apply for financial assistance. After 90 days, your bill might go to collection.

CCH accommodates and respects all cultures and backgrounds.  We have interpretation services available in more than 100 languages.

Bilingual financial counselors are now at all Cook County Health locations.

For more information, call (866) 223-2817 or (312) 864-2224.

Complaints or concerns with the uninsured patient discount application process or hospital financial assistance process maybe reported to the Health Care Bureau of the Illinois Attorney General. The Bureau can be reached by clicking the following link.

HIPAA Authorization Form

Use this form if you would like to give permission to Cook County Health to speak with another individual on your behalf:

Apply For Insurance

Open Enrollment for the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace begins each year in November. The deadline for enrolling in the marketplace is usually in December. You MUST enroll before the end of the enrollment period to have health insurance beginning January 1.  

The Health Insurance Marketplace provides options for affordable health insurance plans sold by insurance companies. If you bought a health insurance plan through the Marketplace one year, you can renew your current plan or enroll in a different plan the next year.

Assistance with applying for Medicaid and All Kids or help with Redetermination is available year around by contacting Cook County Health.

The Affordable Care Act made changes to the Medicaid program, making it different from how you might remember in years past. If you applied for Medicaid prior to 2014 and did not qualify, you now may be able to receive free or low-cost health insurance coverage through the Medicaid expansion.

What is the Affordable Care Act?

You might have heard of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as “Obamacare.”

Visit HealthCare.gov or www.getcoveredillinois.gov

Call the toll-free federal help line, Health Insurance Marketplace, available 24/7, at 1-800-318-2596. They can answer your questions over the phone or in-person.

What is the difference between Medicaid and the Health Insurance Marketplace?

The Medicaid program, which allows individuals to receive free or low-cost health insurance coverage, was expanded to cover all individuals with incomes below 138% of the federal poverty level (in 2022 at or below ~ $18,754 for one person or $25,268 for a married couple with no children). Medicaid provides comprehensive benefits and services including hospital care, outpatient care, and preventive and wellness services.

If your income is too high for Medicaid, you can purchase private health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, also known as the Health Insurance Exchange. The Marketplace will be similar to other websites you might be familiar with, like Expedia or Travelocity. Just as these sites find the best travel option at the best price for you, the Marketplace will allow you to compare health insurance options side by side and select the plan that is best for you. Families with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level (up to ~$106,000 for a family of four) will be eligible for support in the form of an income tax credit to assist you with paying for your plan. Those with Medicare, employer-sponsored insurance, or who are not legal permanent residents are not eligible to purchase plans on the Marketplace.

Cook Medical Group

As part of Cook Medical Group, you will choose a primary care provider who will be your partner in health. They will know you, your medical history and your health needs. Your primary care physician will see you for regular well checks, immunizations and sick visits, as well as direct you to experts in your network should you need specialty care.

Learn More 

How can Cook County Health Help Me?

Call (866) 223-2817, Monday through Friday 8 am to 6 pm and Saturday 8 am to 4 pm

Contact a Certified Application Counselor (CAC) at any Cook County Health Facility

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