Hospital financial assistance in Massachusetts
Massachusetts law requires hospitals to reduce or write off bills for patients whose household income falls below set levels — the program usually called charity care. Below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level the bill must be written off in full. Brightbill tracks 62 Massachusetts hospitals and shows the statute behind every answer.
Free and anonymous — no account, no sign-in, no bill number.
Free-care income limits in Massachusetts (2026 guidelines)
Annual household income at 150% of the Federal Poverty Level — at or below these figures, Massachusetts law requires the bill to be written off in full.
- Household of 1
- $23,940
- Household of 2
- $32,460
- Household of 3
- $40,980
- Household of 4
- $49,500
- Household of 5
- $58,020
- Household of 6+
- $66,540
Discounts and payment protections continue above this level, up to 605% of the Federal Poverty Level.
All licensed hospitals in Massachusetts
Up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level
Bill written off in full
Health Safety Net - Full. Applies to MassHealth-licensed acute (med-surg/peds/ob) hospitals and Section 330 community health centers.
101 CMR 613.04
Up to 205% of the Federal Poverty Level
Hardship route: bills above 10% of household income
Medical Hardship: if unpaid medical debt from the last 12 months exceeds this percent of household income, debt reduction may be available under Health Safety Net Medical Hardship regardless of income level. This app flags eligibility but does not calculate the exact reduction; contact Health Safety Net.
101 CMR 613.05
150%–300% of the Federal Poverty Level
Hospital-specific policy applies
Health Safety Net - Partial. No flat discount percentage; an annual deductible applies instead, equal to the greater of (a) the lowest Premium Assistance Payment Program premium adjusted for family size, or (b) 40% of the difference between household income and 200% FPL. This app does not calculate the exact deductible; contact Health Safety Net for the figure.
101 CMR 613.04
205%–305% of the Federal Poverty Level
Hardship route: bills above 15% of household income
Medical Hardship threshold for this income band; see the 0-205% FPL row for the full explanation.
101 CMR 613.05
305%–405% of the Federal Poverty Level
Hardship route: bills above 20% of household income
Medical Hardship threshold for this income band; see the 0-205% FPL row for the full explanation.
101 CMR 613.05
405%–605% of the Federal Poverty Level
Hardship route: bills above 30% of household income
Medical Hardship threshold for this income band; see the 0-205% FPL row for the full explanation.
101 CMR 613.05
605% of the Federal Poverty Level and above
Hardship route: bills above 40% of household income
Medical Hardship threshold above 605% FPL; see the 0-205% FPL row for the full explanation.
101 CMR 613.05
Massachusetts hospitals covered in detail
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston
- Brigham And Women'S Hospital — Boston
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston
- Boston Medical Center — Boston
- Tufts Medical Center — Boston
Every other Massachusetts hospital is in the checker too, including hospitals in Athol, Attleboro, Ayer, Beverly, Boston, Brighton, Brockton, Burlington.
If a Massachusetts hospital does not follow the law
Massachusetts complaints are handled by MassHealth Customer Service (Health Safety Net) / MA Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification. The Action Kit includes that office's direct contact details along with a drafted complaint-ready letter.
Common questions
Who qualifies for free hospital care in Massachusetts?
Under M.G.L. c.118E §§66-69; 101 CMR 613.04, 613.05, a household with income up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level qualifies to have the bill written off in full. Using the 2026 federal poverty guidelines, that is about $23,940 a year for a household of one and about $49,500 a year for a household of four.
What if my income is above the free-care limit in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts rules still reach higher incomes. Up to 205% of the Federal Poverty Level: hardship route: bills above 10% of household income. 150%–300% of the Federal Poverty Level: hospital-specific policy applies. 205%–305% of the Federal Poverty Level: hardship route: bills above 15% of household income. 305%–405% of the Federal Poverty Level: hardship route: bills above 20% of household income. The protections run up to 605% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Which Massachusetts hospitals have to offer financial assistance?
Brightbill tracks 62 hospitals in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts rule applies to licensed hospitals in the state, and nonprofit hospitals nationwide must also have a written financial assistance policy to keep their federal tax exemption.
Is the Massachusetts eligibility check free?
Yes. The Brightbill eligibility check is free and anonymous. It needs no account and no sign-in, and never asks for your name, hospital records, bill number or contact details. An optional $19 Action Kit adds a saved result, a checklist, a hospital call script, a drafted request letter and the state regulator's contact details.
Can I still apply after my Massachusetts bill has gone to collections?
Often yes. Many state charity-care laws let you apply after the bill is issued, and applying can pause collection activity or lead to a refund if you already paid more than the law allows. The exact window is set by M.G.L. c.118E §§66-69; 101 CMR 613.04, 613.05, and MassHealth Customer Service (Health Safety Net) / MA Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification handles complaints when a hospital does not follow it.
Does Brightbill give legal advice about Massachusetts hospital bills?
No. Brightbill is an eligibility estimate to act on, not legal advice, and it is not affiliated with any hospital. It shows the statute behind every result so you can check it yourself; the hospital's financial assistance office makes the final decision.
Takes about two minutes.
Legal basis: M.G.L. c.118E §§66-69; 101 CMR 613.04, 613.05 — requires licensed Massachusetts hospitals to offer charity care and discount payment to eligible patients.
This is an estimate, not legal advice. Each hospital's financial assistance office makes the final decision. Terms.