Uncompensated Care in Michigan
In 2024, Michigan hospitals provided more than $600 million in uncompensated care, which includes both charity care provided to patients in need and bad debt arising from unpaid medical bills. As Michiganders lose health insurance due to federal policy changes, the amount of uncompensated care that hospitals provide will increase, placing pressure on hospital budgets.
What is uncompensated care, and why do hospitals provide it?
Uncompensated care is the sum of charity care and bad debt.
Charity care is a type of financial assistance which the IRS describes as “free or discounted health services provided to persons who meet the organization’s eligibility criteria for financial assistance and are unable to pay for all or a portion of the services.”[i] Non-profit hospitals, which account for more than 90% of Michigan’s hospitals, must provide at least some financial assistance in order to maintain their tax exemption; for-profit hospitals also provide charity care.
Bad debt represents the cost of medical care for which patients or other health care payers were billed but which the hospital was unable to collect. Federal law requires most hospitals to provide emergency care to patients regardless of their ability to pay.[ii] When bills go unpaid, hospitals may ultimately write them off as bad debt.
Uncompensated care in Michigan hospitals
Michigan’s hospitals provided a total $641 million dollars of uncompensated care in 2024, an amount equal to 1.5% of their aggregate operating expenses.[1] In Michigan, uncompensated care is approximately evenly split between charity care and bad debt.
This supplemental table shows uncompensated care in real (2024) dollars and as a percent of operating expenses for each hospital, in 2012 and 2024. Hospitals may have changed names during this time period. Use the column headers to sort by hospital name, uncompensated care in dollars, or uncompensated care as a percent of expenses.
| Uncompensated care in millions, 2012 | Uncompensated care in millions, 2024 | Uncompensated care as % of expenses, 2012 | Uncompensated care as % of expenses, 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASCENSION BORGESS - LEE HOSPITAL | $4.2 | $1.2 | 10.7% | 6.8% |
| STRAITH HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY | $0.1 | $0.9 | 1.1% | 6.2% |
| MYMICHIGAN MEDICAL CENTER STANDISH | $1.6 | $1.2 | 5.3% | 4.7% |
| MYMICHIGAN MEDICAL CENTER TAWAS | $2.5 | $2.0 | 3.4% | 3.7% |
| CARO COMMUNITY HOSPITAL | $1.0 | $0.7 | 6.1% | 3.6% |
| ASCENSION RIVER DISTRICT HOSPITAL | $1.8 | $1.1 | 2.9% | 3.5% |
| MCLAREN THUMB REGION | $1.0 | $1.7 | 1.7% | 3.4% |
| LAKELAND COMMUNITY HOSP WATERVLIET | $2.8 | $1.7 | 8.0% | 3.4% |
| MYMICHIGAN MEDICAL CENTER CLARE | $2.9 | $3.0 | 4.9% | 3.3% |
| MH-LAKESHORE CAMPUS | $2.0 | $1.3 | 6.7% | 3.3% |
| GARDEN CITY HOSPITAL OSTEOPATHIC | $2.1 | $4.3 | 1.2% | 3.1% |
| MACKINAC STRAITS HEALTH SYSTEM INC | $1.7 | $2.2 | 3.9% | 3.1% |
| BRONSON SOUTH HAVEN HOSPITAL | $3.1 | $1.3 | 5.7% | 3.1% |
| MCLAREN OAKLAND | $9.6 | $7.5 | 5.2% | 3.0% |
| SPARROW IONIA HOSPITAL | $2.8 | $1.8 | 7.0% | 3.0% |
| MYMICHIGAN MEDICAL CENTER GLADWIN | $1.4 | $1.4 | 4.2% | 2.9% |
| MCKENZIE HEALTH SYSTEM | $1.2 | $0.9 | 4.9% | 2.9% |
| ASCENSION MACOMB-OAKLAND HOSPITAL | $25.5 | $14.0 | 4.9% | 2.9% |
| BRONSON LAKEVIEW HOSPITAL | $4.3 | $1.9 | 6.0% | 2.8% |
| COREWELL HEALTH GERBER | $4.3 | $3.1 | 4.7% | 2.7% |
| SINAI-GRACE HOSPITAL | $36.2 | $8.8 | 7.7% | 2.7% |
| MYMICHIGAN MEDICAL CTR WEST BRAN | $2.3 | $2.1 | 4.4% | 2.6% |
| ASCENSION ALLEGAN HOSPITAL | $2.9 | $0.8 | 4.8% | 2.6% |
| BELL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | $2.9 | $1.6 | 5.0% | 2.6% |
| TRINITY HEALTH GRAND HAVEN HOSPITAL | $2.3 | $1.4 | 2.7% | 2.6% |
| COREWELL HEALTH WAYNE | $14.3 | $5.3 | 7.6% | 2.6% |
| HILLSDALE HOSPITAL | $4.1 | $2.3 | 5.1% | 2.6% |
| MYMICHIGAN MEDICAL CENTER ALMA | $3.8 | $3.8 | 2.5% | 2.5% |
| COREWELL HEALTH GREENVILLE HOSPITAL | $3.9 | $3.6 | 4.6% | 2.5% |
| HELEN NEWBERRY JOY HOSPITAL | $0.6 | $1.0 | 1.5% | 2.5% |
| MCLAREN LAPEER REGION | $5.1 | $3.4 | 3.7% | 2.5% |
| DETROIT RECEIVING HOSPITAL | $48.0 | $7.2 | 12.6% | 2.4% |
| COREWELL HEALTH BIG RAPIDS | $2.6 | $2.3 | 3.4% | 2.3% |
| COREWELL HEALTH PENNOCK HOSPITAL | $3.6 | $2.5 | 4.6% | 2.3% |
| THREE RIVERS HEALTH | $4.3 | $1.6 | 6.6% | 2.3% |
| COREWELL HEALTH TAYLOR | $17.3 | $4.5 | 9.5% | 2.3% |
| ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL | $2.5 | $2.7 | 5.1% | 2.3% |
| COREWELL HEALTH ZEELAND | $1.9 | $2.1 | 2.8% | 2.2% |
| MCLAREN MACOMB | $16.9 | $8.6 | 4.9% | 2.2% |
| SHERIDAN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL | $1.2 | $0.5 | 5.8% | 2.2% |
| ST. JOHN BRIGHTON | $0.9 | $0.4 | 4.2% | 2.2% |
| UM HEALTH-SPARROW CARSON | $4.4 | $1.2 | 5.2% | 2.2% |
| COREWELL HEALTH - GROSSE POINTE | $8.9 | $6.2 | 3.9% | 2.1% |
| ASPIRUS IRON RIVER HOPSITAL & CLINIC | $2.1 | $0.8 | 3.9% | 2.1% |
| DECKERVILLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL | $0.3 | $0.2 | 3.2% | 2.1% |
| COREWELL HEALTH REED CITY | $5.1 | $1.5 | 7.4% | 2.1% |
| COREWELL HEALTH LAKELAND HOSPITALS | $18.5 | $11.3 | 4.2% | 2.0% |
| ASCENSION PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL | $27.5 | $19.4 | 3.3% | 2.0% |
| MARLETTE REGIONAL HOSPITAL | $1.6 | $1.0 | 3.4% | 2.0% |
| SCHEURER HOSPITAL | $1.8 | $1.4 | 4.1% | 2.0% |
| COREWELL HEALTH- DEARBORN | $34.7 | $14.7 | 4.1% | 2.0% |
| MYMICHIGAN MEDICAL CENTER SAGINAW | $9.9 | $6.5 | 3.0% | 2.0% |
| UM HEALTH-SPARROW EATON | $3.5 | $1.5 | 5.3% | 2.0% |
| LAKE HURON MEDICAL CENTER | $5.0 | $1.4 | 4.6% | 2.0% |
| KALKASKA MEMORIAL HEALTH CENTER | $1.7 | $1.7 | 4.7% | 1.9% |
| MUNISING MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | $0.6 | $0.3 | 4.9% | 1.9% |
| PAUL OLIVER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | $1.0 | $0.5 | 4.4% | 1.9% |
| ASCENSION ST JOHN HOSPITAL | $39.9 | $19.8 | 4.1% | 1.9% |
| ASCENSION BORGESS HOSPITAL | $18.2 | $9.1 | 3.3% | 1.9% |
| EATON RAPIDS MEDICAL CENTER | $1.3 | $0.8 | 4.4% | 1.8% |
| FOREST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER LLC | $0.0 | $0.8 | 0.2% | 1.8% |
| COREWELL HEALTH- FARMINGTON HILLS | $16.0 | $9.0 | 4.2% | 1.8% |
| HENRY FORD HEALTH WYANDOTTE HOSPITAL | $17.5 | $7.7 | 4.8% | 1.8% |
| MCLAREN NORTHERN MICHIGAN | $8.5 | $5.2 | 3.4% | 1.8% |
| ASPIRUS IRONWOOD HOSPITAL | $3.7 | $1.4 | 6.3% | 1.8% |
| INSIGHT HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER | $3.7 | $1.5 | 4.0% | 1.8% |
| COREWELL HEALTH - TRENTON | $7.9 | $3.9 | 4.2% | 1.8% |
| MCLAREN PORT HURON | $6.9 | $4.3 | 3.3% | 1.8% |
| HOLLAND HOSPITAL | $7.6 | $5.3 | 3.3% | 1.7% |
| MONROE REGIONAL HOSPITAL | $9.1 | $2.7 | 4.1% | 1.7% |
| MYMICHIGAN MEDICAL CENTER SAULT | $3.9 | $2.1 | 3.2% | 1.7% |
| PROMEDICA HICKMAN HOSPITAL | $3.8 | $2.0 | 3.9% | 1.7% |
| MCLAREN CENTRAL MICHIGAN | $3.7 | $2.8 | 3.3% | 1.7% |
| COREWELL HEALTH LUDINGTON HOSPITAL | $2.5 | $2.0 | 3.1% | 1.7% |
| MYMICHIGAN MEDICAL CENTER MIDLAND | $12.6 | $11.6 | 2.9% | 1.7% |
| HILLS & DALES GENERAL HOSPITAL | $1.6 | $1.4 | 5.3% | 1.6% |
| MYMICHIGAN MEDICAL CENTER ALPENA | $3.8 | $4.7 | 2.3% | 1.6% |
| W.A. FOOTE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | $29.4 | $12.6 | 5.2% | 1.6% |
| BARAGA COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | $0.8 | $0.5 | 3.3% | 1.6% |
| BRONSON BATTLE CREEK | $14.9 | $5.3 | 5.6% | 1.6% |
| OAKLAWN HOSPITAL | $3.2 | $2.9 | 2.2% | 1.5% |
| ASCENSION PROVIDENCE ROCHESTER HOSPI | $6.0 | $4.3 | 1.9% | 1.5% |
| UM HEALTH-SPARROW CLINTON HOSPITAL | $1.8 | $0.9 | 3.4% | 1.5% |
| EDWARD W. SPARROW HOSPITAL | $43.7 | $18.5 | 4.2% | 1.5% |
| TRINITY HEALTH OAKLAND | $16.4 | $7.9 | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| MCLAREN FLINT | $14.1 | $7.2 | 2.6% | 1.4% |
| BAY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER | $10.7 | $4.7 | 3.0% | 1.4% |
| METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL | $7.3 | $8.6 | 2.0% | 1.4% |
| TRINITY HEALTH GRAND RAPIDS | $24.5 | $12.0 | 3.9% | 1.4% |
| COREWELL HEALTH GRAND RAPIDS HOSPITA | $43.3 | $36.7 | 2.2% | 1.4% |
| TRINITY HEALTH LIVINGSTON | $7.2 | $2.6 | 4.7% | 1.3% |
| COREWELL HEALTH- TROY | $21.2 | $10.4 | 3.1% | 1.3% |
| HENRY FORD HEALTH MACOMB HOSPITAL | $24.3 | $8.1 | 4.2% | 1.3% |
| HEALTHSOURCE SAGINAW INC. | $0.4 | $0.7 | 0.7% | 1.3% |
| ASPIRUS KEWEENAW HOSPITAL | $1.6 | $1.0 | 3.3% | 1.2% |
| TRINITY HEALTH MUSKEGON | $11.9 | $9.4 | 5.4% | 1.2% |
| MCLAREN GREATER LANSING | $10.0 | $5.9 | 2.5% | 1.2% |
| HURLEY MEDICAL CENTER | $25.8 | $6.0 | 5.2% | 1.2% |
| DICKINSON COUNTY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM | $3.5 | $1.9 | 3.2% | 1.2% |
| HENRY FORD HOSPITAL | $117.9 | $38.5 | 5.3% | 1.2% |
| COREWELL HEALTH WM. BEAUMONT UNIV | $38.1 | $20.3 | 2.4% | 1.2% |
| HARBOR BEACH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL | $0.3 | $0.2 | 1.8% | 1.2% |
| SCHOOLCRAFT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | $1.3 | $0.7 | 4.3% | 1.1% |
| HENRY FORD WEST BLOOMFIELD HOSPITAL | $7.4 | $5.3 | 1.7% | 1.1% |
| HARPER- HUTZEL HOSPITAL | $14.6 | $4.8 | 2.0% | 1.1% |
| BRONSON METHODIST HOSPITAL | $26.3 | $13.7 | 3.5% | 1.1% |
| HURON VALLEY-SINAI HOSPITAL | $6.4 | $2.0 | 2.9% | 1.1% |
| TRINITY HEALTH LIVONIA | $8.6 | $4.7 | 2.6% | 1.1% |
| MUNSON HEALTHCARE GRAYLING HOSPITAL | $4.0 | $1.0 | 4.2% | 1.0% |
| UNIV OF MI HOSPITALS & HLTH CTRS | $90.3 | $53.9 | 2.9% | 1.0% |
| ST JOSEPH MERCY HOSPITAL ANN ARBOR | $30.1 | $11.6 | 3.1% | 1.0% |
| COVENANT MEDICAL CENTER | $15.2 | $7.5 | 2.3% | 0.9% |
| MUNSON HEALTHCARE CADILLAC HOSPITAL | $4.0 | $1.5 | 4.5% | 0.9% |
| GENESYS REGIONAL MEDICAL CTR. | $14.6 | $3.6 | 2.6% | 0.9% |
| PORTAGE HEALTH SYSTEM | $1.9 | $0.8 | 1.8% | 0.9% |
| MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE | $2.9 | $2.7 | 2.4% | 0.8% |
| MUNSON MEDICAL CENTER | $15.7 | $6.5 | 2.5% | 0.8% |
| ASPIRUS ONTONAGON HOSPITAL | $1.0 | $0.0 | 5.2% | 0.8% |
| CHELSEA HOSPITAL | $4.2 | $1.7 | 2.9% | 0.8% |
| MARQUETTE GENERAL HOSPITAL | $6.6 | $2.2 | 1.8% | 0.5% |
| BARBARA ANN KARMANOS CANCER HOSPITAL | $5.4 | $1.5 | 1.7% | 0.3% |
| MUNSON HEALTHCARE CHARLEVOIX HOSPITA | $1.5 | $0.1 | 2.9% | 0.2% |
| OTSEGO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | $3.4 | $0.1 | 3.4% | 0.1% |
| PONTIAC GENERAL HOSPITAL | $3.8 | $0.0 | 5.9% | 0.1% |
| MUNSON HEALTHCARE MANISTEE HOSPITAL | $3.4 | $0.0 | 4.5% | 0.1% |
| SURGEONS CHOICE MEDICAL CENTER | $0.1 | $0.0 | 0.3% | 0.0% |
| INSIGHT SURGICAL HOSPITAL | $0.7 | $0.0 | 5.3% | 0.0% |
| CHEBOYGAN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | $0.9 | 5.2% | ||
| KELSEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | $1.5 | 6.7% | ||
| MH - MERCY CAMPUS | $13.8 | 3.4% | ||
| ST JOSEPH MERCY SALINE HOSPITAL | $0.4 | 3.1% | ||
| STURGIS HOSPITAL INC. | $2.4 | 4.3% |