Cambridge Health Alliance

Acute care hospital in Cambridge, MA.

Verified from the hospital's own policy

Cambridge Health Alliance likely gives free care to households with a yearly income up to $23,940 for 1 person, $32,460 for 2, $40,980 for 3, $49,500 for 4, $58,020 for 5 or $66,540 for 6. It likely gives a discount to households with a yearly income up to $47,880 for 1 person, $64,920 for 2, $81,960 for 3, $99,000 for 4, $116,040 for 5 or $133,080 for 6.

The hospital makes the final decision.

Discount steps

• 0% to 150% of poverty level, you pay nothing (Health Safety Net, no deductible)
• 150.1% to 300% of poverty level, you pay Health Safety Net yearly deductible based on income

How to apply

1. Call 617-665-1100 and ask for financial assistance.
2. Application form
3. Cambridge Health Alliance Financial Assistance Policy (March 1, 2025)
4. 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

Massachusetts resident (Health Safety Net)

Very large bills

Health Safety Net Medical Hardship for Massachusetts residents at any income

Languages

English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Hindi, Nepali

If you have insurance

Insured patients can also apply for help with deductibles and copays. Keep your insurance. Financial assistance covers bills from this one place only.

What is covered

Covered

Medically necessary medical and behavioral health care at The Cambridge Hospital, Somerville Hospital, Whidden Memorial Hospital (Everett) and the CHA Physician Organization.

Not covered

CHA's own 25% discount does not apply to coinsurance, deductibles, partial HSN amounts, or fee-for-service items such as cosmetic surgery and eyeglasses.

State program in Massachusetts

Notes

CHA is a public (municipal) safety-net system. Its policy relies on the Health Safety Net, and CHA has no income scale of its own. Uninsured patients who are screened and do not qualify for MassHealth or HSN get 25% off published charges, and the CFO can approve more case by case if the bill is paid within 30 days of the first statement. Patients with a MassHealth spend-down or HSN deductible pay that amount with no extra discount. CHA's policy text describes HSN Primary and Secondary as 0-150% of the poverty level, while mass.gov and the regulation set HSN eligibility at up to 300% with a deductible above 150%. Thresholds here follow HSN. The 2025 policy names Everett's hospital both Everett Hospital and Whidden Memorial Hospital. The CCN covers CHA as one licensed hospital.

Sources

• Free care level

  Uninsured patients who are Massachusetts residents with verified MassHealth MAGI household Income ... between 0-150% of the Federal Poverty Level

• Discount level

  Income between 150.1% and 300% of the FPL may be subject to an annual deductible

• Insured patients

  Patients that are Massachusetts residents with primary health insurance ... may be determined eligible for Health Safety Net Eligible Services.

• Residency

  the Hospital provides financial assistance to low-income uninsured and underinsured patients who are Massachusetts residents and who meet income qualifications.

• Very large bills

  A Massachusetts resident of any income may qualify for Medical Hardship through the Health Safety Net

• Financial counseling phone

  contacting the hospital’s Financial Assistance Department at 617-665-1100

• Uninsured discount

  Cambridge Health Alliance will offer a 25% discount off published charges to patients who do not qualify after being screened

• Covered facility

  The hospital’s Financial Assistance Policy applies to Cambridge Health Alliance which includes three hospitals and the Physician Organization.

• Hsn list

  Cambridge CHA Cambridge Hospital 1493 Cambridge Street 02139

Last checked. 2026-11-10