Miami-Dade Medical Debt Relief: What the $200M+ Program Means — and What to Do If You Don't Qualify
What actually happened
Miami-Dade County has been the site of two large, separate medical debt relief campaigns, both run through the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt (formerly RIP Medical Debt). In 2023, the Daniel and Jane Och Family Foundation funded the purchase and erasure of $264 million in medical debt for 125,611 Miami-Dade residents. In April 2026, a second and unrelated round — funded by donors to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation — erased more than $200 million for over 120,000 additional residents.
These are two different campaigns with two different funding sources. If you received relief in 2023, that doesn’t mean you were covered in 2026, and vice versa.
How the relief actually works
This is the part most people get wrong: you cannot apply for this program. Undue Medical Debt purchases large bundles of unpaid medical debt directly from hospitals, health systems, and collection agencies — the same way debt buyers normally do, except instead of trying to collect, they erase it. Because of how the debt is acquired, eligibility is determined automatically using income data tied to the debt itself, not through an application you fill out.
If you’re eligible, you’ll receive a letter in the mail from Undue Medical Debt directly. There’s no fee, no form, and nothing you need to do to receive it. This also means there’s no legitimate way to “sign up” for a future round — anyone asking you to apply, pay a fee, or provide banking information for medical debt relief is not part of this program.
If you weren’t covered by either round
Both Miami-Dade rounds together reached a substantial share of the county, but not everyone with medical debt was included — the program depends on which debt portfolios were available for purchase, not on a comprehensive review of every resident’s bills. If you have medical debt and didn’t receive a letter, here’s what actually helps:
1. Ask the hospital about financial assistance directly
Most nonprofit hospitals are required to offer a financial assistance policy (sometimes called “charity care”). This is separate from Undue Medical Debt and can reduce or eliminate a bill before it ever reaches collections. Ask the hospital’s billing department for their policy in writing.
2. Check your bill for errors first
Medical billing errors are common. Before assuming a balance is accurate, request an itemized bill and compare it against your insurance Explanation of Benefits (EOB).
3. Talk to a nonprofit credit counselor before a debt settlement company
If medical debt is part of a broader debt load you’re struggling with, a free session with a nonprofit, accredited credit counselor can help you see your full picture before you consider a paid option. See our verified list of nonprofit credit counselors serving Miami-Dade.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for medical debt relief in Miami-Dade?
No. Eligibility is determined automatically based on income data tied to the debt itself. There is no application process for either the 2023 or 2026 rounds, and no legitimate way to request inclusion in a future round.
How do I know if I qualify?
You don’t need to check — if you qualify, Undue Medical Debt will notify you by mail. If you believe you should qualify and haven’t received a letter, it likely means your specific debt wasn’t part of the portfolios purchased in either round.
Does this affect my credit score?
Debt relief through this program removes the debt; it doesn’t retroactively repair a credit report if the debt was already reported as delinquent or in collections before being erased. If you have concerns about how medical debt is affecting your credit, a nonprofit credit counselor can help you understand your credit report.