# Boston Children's Hospital

Hospital in Boston, MA. Verified from the hospital's own policy.

Boston Children's Hospital likely gives free care to households with a yearly income up to $63,840 for 1 person, $86,560 for 2, $109,280 for 3, $132,000 for 4, $154,720 for 5 or $177,440 for 6. We have not found a discount for incomes above the free care level.

The hospital makes the final decision.

| Household size | Free care if yearly income is up to | Discount if yearly income is up to |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $63,840 | not found |
| 2 | $86,560 | not found |
| 3 | $109,280 | not found |
| 4 | $132,000 | not found |
| 5 | $154,720 | not found |
| 6 | $177,440 | not found |

Dollar amounts use the 2026 federal poverty guidelines.

## Discount steps

- 0% to 400% of poverty level, patient pays nothing (100% discount on gross charges)
- 400.1% to null% of poverty level, patient pays no financial assistance discount; uninsured patients may get the Uninsured Patient Discount

## How to apply

- Call 617-355-7201 and ask for financial assistance.
- [Application form](https://www.childrenshospital.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/financial-assistance-app-032022-english.pdf)
- [Boston Children's Hospital Financial Assistance Policy (effective 5/1/2023)](https://www.childrenshospital.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/financial-assistance-policy-121823.pdf)
- [Plain language summary](https://www.childrenshospital.org/sites/default/files/2025-01/plain-language-summary-english-011625.pdf)
- We do not have the deadline yet. Apply as soon as you get a bill, and ask the billing office to pause collections while you apply.
- Residency. Resident of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, or New York outside the New York City metro area
- Savings and property. The policy counts savings or property, not only income.
- Languages. English, Italian, Russian, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Vietnamese, Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Chavacano, Spanish, French, Somali

## If you have insurance

This policy does not cover bills for patients who have insurance.
Keep your insurance. Financial assistance covers bills from this one place only.

## What is covered

Covered. Emergency and other medically necessary services by the hospital and its physician foundations, for patients who have no coverage and are not eligible for coverage.

Not covered. Some gene therapies and drugs (for example Zolgensma, Kymriah, Luxterna, Zynteglo, Skysona), elective cosmetic procedures, Boston Children's Pharmacy, and any copays, coinsurance or deductibles. Non-covered or out-of-network services for insured patients are excluded unless no in-network provider can give the specialized care.

## State program in Massachusetts

### Apply for MassHealth first

Apply for MassHealth first. In Massachusetts one application (ACA-1) checks you for MassHealth, Health Connector plans and the Health Safety Net together. Hospital financial counselors help with it for free, and most hospital financial assistance policies require you to apply before the hospital will review its own discounts. MassHealth phone is (800) 841-2900.

> Applications and qualifications are available on line here: Member Booklet for Health and Dental Coverage and Help Paying Costs (ACA-1).

Source https://www.mass.gov/info-details/health-safety-net-for-patients, checked 2026-11-10

### Health Safety Net

The Health Safety Net (HSN) pays for some care at Massachusetts acute care hospitals and community health centers for low-income Massachusetts residents who are uninsured or underinsured. It is not insurance. With family income up to 150% of the poverty level there is no deductible. From above 150% up to 300% there may be a yearly deductible based on income. It can pay after other insurance, including private plans, Medicare and some MassHealth programs. You apply with the same application used for MassHealth, so MassHealth is checked first. There is no member card. You must renew every year. HSN pays the hospital's own charges. Doctors who bill separately, and labs or x-rays run by private companies, may not be covered. HSN Medical Hardship can help residents at any income when medical bills are a large share of income.

Income levels in the program are free up to 150%, discount up to 300% of poverty level.

Applies to acute care hospitals and community health centers.

Residency. Massachusetts resident

How to apply. Fill out the MassHealth application (ACA-1), online through the Health Connector, on paper, or with a hospital or health center financial counselor. The same application decides MassHealth, Health Connector plans and HSN. Bring proof of identity. Medical Hardship needs a separate application that a hospital or health center counselor submits for you.

Program phone (800) 841-2900

> Massachusetts residents with income between 0-150% of the FPL may be eligible for the Health Safety Net.

Source https://www.mass.gov/info-details/health-safety-net-for-patients, checked 2026-11-10

### Health Safety Net Medical Hardship

A Massachusetts resident at any income can get help through HSN Medical Hardship when allowable medical bills are larger than a set share of countable income. The share is 10% of income up to 205% of the poverty level, 15% from 205.1% to 305%, 20% from 305.1% to 405%, 30% from 405.1% to 605%, and 40% above 605.1%. You pay that share. A hospital or health center financial counselor files the application with itemized bills, proof of income, proof of Massachusetts residency and proof of identity.

Applies to acute care hospitals and community health centers.

How to apply. Ask a hospital or community health center financial counselor to submit a Medical Hardship application.

> Income Level Percentage of Countable Income 0 - 205% FPL 10% 205.1 - 305% FPL 15% 305.1 - 405% 20%

Source https://www.mass.gov/doc/emergency-adoption-date-filed-october-9-2026-1/download, checked 2026-11-10

## Notes

Free care up to 400% of the poverty level is generous, but it is only for children with no coverage who are not eligible for MassHealth, ConnectorCare, HSN or private insurance, and who did not drop coverage in the last 60 days. Insured families' copays, coinsurance and deductibles are not discounted, though they are capped at amounts generally billed if the family otherwise qualifies. 'Other Funding' counts against eligibility, including trust funds, help from relatives, charities and crowdfunding. Approval lasts 12 months. A separate Uninsured Patient Discount Policy and an International Patient Financial Assistance Program exist. For insured Massachusetts families, the Health Safety Net may still help with deductibles and coinsurance.

## Sources

- Free care level https://www.childrenshospital.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/financial-assistance-policy-121823.pdf
  > 0%‐400% of the FPG 100%
- Discount level https://www.childrenshospital.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/financial-assistance-policy-121823.pdf
  > The patient’s MassHealth MAGI Income may not exceed 400% of FPG for the size of the patient’s household
- Insured patients https://www.childrenshospital.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/financial-assistance-policy-121823.pdf
  > Financial assistance is also not available to reduce the amount of a patient’s Insured Patient Financial Responsibility.
- Asset test https://www.childrenshospital.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/financial-assistance-policy-121823.pdf
  > The patient/Guarantor does not have Other Funding available to pay for Medically Necessary Services
- Residency https://www.childrenshospital.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/financial-assistance-policy-121823.pdf
  > Primary Service Area: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and New York, excluding the New York City metropolitan area.
- Financial counseling phone https://www.childrenshospital.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/financial-assistance-policy-121823.pdf
  > by calling the Financial Counselors at (617) 355-7201
- Covered facility https://www.childrenshospital.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/financial-assistance-policy-121823.pdf
  > The Children’s Hospital Corporation d/b/a Boston Children’s Hospital (the “Hospital”) and its related Physician Foundations
- State program https://www.childrenshospital.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/financial-assistance-policy-121823.pdf
  > including MassHealth and other Medicaid programs, ConnectorCare and Health Safety Net
- Eligibility period https://www.childrenshospital.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/financial-assistance-policy-121823.pdf
  > Eligibility determinations will remain in effect for a period of 12 months following the date of the determination
- Hsn list https://www.mass.gov/doc/hsn-acute-care-hospital-locations/download
  > Boston Boston Children's Hospital 300 Longwood Avenue 02115

Last checked 2026-11-10.

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