Central Maine Medical Center
Nonprofit acute care hospital in Lewiston, ME.
Verified from the hospital's own policy
Central Maine Medical Center likely gives free care to households with a yearly income up to $31,920 for 1 person, $43,280 for 2, $54,640 for 3, $66,000 for 4, $77,360 for 5 or $88,720 for 6. It likely gives a discount to households with a yearly income up to $39,900 for 1 person, $54,100 for 2, $68,300 for 3, $82,500 for 4, $96,700 for 5 or $110,900 for 6.
The hospital makes the final decision.
| People in household | Free care up to | Discount up to |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $31,920 | $39,900 |
| 2 | $43,280 | $54,100 |
| 3 | $54,640 | $68,300 |
| 4 | $66,000 | $82,500 |
| 5 | $77,360 | $96,700 |
| 6 | $88,720 | $110,900 |
Discount steps
- 0% to 200% of poverty level, you pay nothing (100% free care)
- 200.1% to 250% of poverty level, you pay partial free care, at least 55% off eligible charges
How to apply
- Call (207) 786-1803 and ask for financial assistance.
- Application form
- Financial Assistance Policy (FAP), approved 7/30/2026
- Plain language summary
- Bring proof of income for the last 13 weeks for every adult in the household, MaineCare decision letters for everyone on the application, current federal income tax return (pages 1 and 2), full tax return with Schedule C if self-employed.
- The policy gives 240 days to apply. Ask the billing office which date the count starts from.
- Residency
- Maine resident for medically necessary care; people from outside Maine can get help for emergency care only
- Languages
- English, Arabic, French, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, Swahili
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
- Emergency and medically necessary inpatient and outpatient care at Central Maine Medical Center, Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital, including their provider practices. People with insurance that pays only part of the bill can apply.
- Not covered
- Elective cosmetic surgery and care that is not medically necessary. The hospital's list also names bariatric services, sterilization and birth control, fertility services and circumcision. Providers outside Central Maine Healthcare are not covered. Some doctors who work at the hospitals are not covered; check the Providers Not Covered list.
State program in Maine
Maine hospital charity care law (22 MRSA 1716-A)
Every Maine hospital must give free, medically necessary care to Maine residents whose family income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. This law took effect July 1, 2026. It replaced the old free care rule, which used 150%. The hospital may not ask about savings or other assets. It looks at income only, using either the last 3 months times 4 or the last 12 months. It must ask for any missing papers within 15 days, give at least 30 days to send them, and decide within 45 days of a complete application. If you are denied, the hospital must tell you why in writing and tell you about your right to a fair hearing with the state. The law does not require a set discount above 200%. Many hospitals offer one under their own policy, so ask.
Income levels in the program are free up to 200% of poverty level.
Applies to every hospital in Maine; patients must be Maine residents (people who live in Maine, or who came to Maine for a job or to look for work; tourists and visitors are not covered).
Ask the hospital's financial assistance or billing office for a charity care application. Every bill must say how to apply and give a phone number for a paper copy, and the hospital must post the application on its website. You can apply with the hospital's form or the state's form. Free help with the application is available from the Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program. If the hospital does not follow the law, you can complain to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
A hospital shall provide free, medically necessary services for patients whose family income is equal to or less than 200% of the federal poverty level.
Program source, checked 2026-11-11
Notes
Everyone on the application must apply for MaineCare first and send the decision letter. Assets are not mentioned in the policy, so the asset test is left unknown. People who get SNAP or TANF, are homeless, or became eligible for MaineCare after the visit may be presumed eligible. Approval for outpatient care lasts 180 days; a new hospital stay needs a new application. If income is under 400% of the poverty level, payment plans are capped at 4% of income. A denial can be appealed or a fair hearing requested. Financial advocates can meet in person; call (207) 786-1803.
Sources
- Free care level
Gross income is below or equal to 200% of the FPL
- Discount level
Gross income is greater than 200% and less than or equal to 250% of the FPL
- Discount steps
minus the AGB, but in no case will be less than 55%
- Insured patients
Have no health insurance coverage or have coverage that pays only part of the bill; and
- Residency
Financial assistance for Emergency Care is available to Maine Residents and non-Maine Residents who:
- Deadline
The Application Period for Financial Assistance for a date of service expires 240 days from the first post discharge billing statement.
- Covered facility
This Policy applies to Central Maine Medical Center, Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital
- Documents
Proof of income for the last 13 consecutive weeks for all household adult applicants.
- Mainecare first
All family members on the application must apply for MaineCare before being considered for our Free Care program.
- Payment plan
CMH Hospitals provide payment plans that are no greater than 4% of Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for applicants with MAGI less than 400%
- Financial counseling phone
For questions about the Financial Assistance at Central Maine Healthcare, please contact (207) 786-1803
Last checked. 2026-11-11
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