Quick Answer: Mass General Brigham (MGB) offers charity care that can wipe out 70% to 100% of a hospital bill for patients earning below 301% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). As of 2026, that threshold is $48,040 for a single person or $99,330 for a family of four. A parallel state program, the Massachusetts Health Safety Net, provides additional free or reduced-cost coverage at MGB hospitals for residents earning up to 300% FPL.
If you received a bill from Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's, or another Mass General Brigham facility, you may owe far less than the statement says, or nothing at all. MGB operates one of the largest academic health systems in the country, and its financial assistance program is robust. The problem is that most patients never ask.
The CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer scans hospital bills for common overcharges and flags whether you likely qualify for a hospital's charity care program, including MGB's. Upload your bill and get a free analysis in under a minute.
Who Qualifies for Mass General Brigham Financial Assistance in 2026?
Mass General Brigham financial assistance is open to patients who received emergency or medically necessary care at any MGB facility. Eligibility depends on Massachusetts household income relative to the 2026 Federal Poverty Level guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at aspe.hhs.gov.
The main threshold: household income below 301% FPL qualifies you for discounts of 70% to 100% off the bill.
There is no citizenship requirement for the hospital's own financial assistance program. You do not have to be enrolled in MassHealth, Medicaid, or any other insurance.
2026 MGB Financial Assistance Income Limits by Household Size
The table below shows the annual income ceiling to qualify for MGB's low-income patient discounts (below 301% FPL) using 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines from aspe.hhs.gov.
| Household Size | 100% FPL (2026) | 301% FPL, MGB Assistance Limit |
|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $48,040 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $65,136 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $82,232 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $99,330 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $116,426 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $133,524 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $150,620 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $167,718 |
| Each additional person | +$5,680 | +$17,096 |
Table: 2026 Mass General Brigham Financial Assistance, Income Limits by Household Size (Massachusetts)
If your Massachusetts household income falls below the 301% FPL column, apply. Most patients in this range receive between 70% and 100% off their bill depending on how close their income is to the poverty line.
The Three Discount Tiers at MGB
Mass General Brigham uses a tiered discount structure. The percentage you receive depends on where your income sits relative to FPL.
Tier 1, Free care (70% to 100% discount): Patients with the lowest incomes, typically below 200% FPL, tend to receive the largest discounts. At 0 to 150% FPL, the Massachusetts Health Safety Net program (described below) may cover the full bill before MGB's own assistance even kicks in.
Tier 2, Partial discount (70% to 90%): Patients with income between roughly 200% and 300% FPL receive meaningful reductions, though a portion of the bill remains the patient's responsibility.
Tier 3, Early payment discount (25%): Any patient, regardless of income, who pays the full balance or enters a payment plan within two months of the first billing date qualifies for a flat 25% reduction. This tier requires no application and no income documentation.
Specialty care: Patients receiving care at Spaulding Rehabilitation Network or McLean Hospital (both MGB affiliates) qualify for 60% to 100% discounts at the same income thresholds.
One important note: MGB's financial assistance does not reduce insurance co-payments, co-insurance amounts, or deductibles. It applies to self-pay balances and the portion of a bill not covered by insurance.
The Massachusetts Health Safety Net: A Second Layer of Protection
Massachusetts runs a state program called the Health Safety Net (HSN) that works alongside, and sometimes ahead of, hospital charity care programs like MGB's. Understanding both helps you claim the maximum reduction.
The Massachusetts Health Safety Net, administered through MassHealth, covers emergency and medically necessary hospital and community health center services for residents who are uninsured or underinsured. Income limits for HSN in 2026:
- 0% to 150% FPL: No deductible. HSN covers the full cost.
- 150.1% to 300% FPL: HSN covers costs but you may owe an annual deductible before coverage kicks in.
Massachusetts Health Safety Net Income Limits for 2026
| Household Size | 150% FPL, No Deductible | 300% FPL, Deductible Applies |
|---|
| 1 | $23,940 | $47,880 |
| 2 | $32,460 | $64,920 |
| 3 | $40,980 | $81,960 |
| 4 | $49,500 | $99,000 |
| 5 | $58,020 | $116,040 |
| 6 | $66,540 | $133,080 |
| 7 | $75,060 | $150,120 |
| 8 | $83,580 | $167,160 |
| Each additional person | +$8,520 | +$17,040 |
Table: 2026 Massachusetts Health Safety Net Program Income Limits by Household Size
Source: mass.gov and 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines.
If you qualify for the Health Safety Net, Massachusetts hospitals including all Mass General Brigham facilities are required to accept HSN reimbursement instead of billing you full price. You must apply for HSN separately. It is not automatic.
MassHealth as the First Step
Before applying for MGB's charity care or the Health Safety Net, check whether you qualify for MassHealth, Massachusetts's Medicaid program. MassHealth covers adults with income up to 138% FPL ($22,024 per year for a single person in 2026). If you are pregnant, the limit is 200% FPL.
Why this matters: if you received care at an MGB facility and you were uninsured but MassHealth-eligible at the time of service, MassHealth may be able to pay the bill retroactively up to three months before your application date. This is called retroactive Medicaid coverage.
Apply at the Massachusetts Health Connector or call MassHealth at 1-800-841-2900.
How to Apply for Mass General Brigham Financial Assistance
The process is straightforward, but you must initiate it. Hospitals do not automatically apply discounts.
Enrollment is open year-round. There is no deadline to apply for financial assistance on a bill you have already received.
Step-by-Step Application Process
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Request the application. Call MGB Patient Financial Services at 617-726-3884, download the form from massgeneralbrigham.org, or pick one up at any MGB billing office. Applications are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Indonesian, and Vietnamese.
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Complete the application form. You will need basic household information: names, ages of all household members, and the income sources for each adult.
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Gather your documents. See the checklist below.
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Submit the application. You can submit by mail, in person at a patient financial counselor's office, or by calling to submit over the phone.
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Wait for a determination. MGB typically issues a decision within 30 days. If you have not heard back within 30 days of submission, call 617-726-3884 to follow up.
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Receive your adjusted bill. If approved, MGB applies the discount retroactively to the bill(s) you listed on the application. You will receive a revised statement showing the reduced amount owed.
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Set up a payment plan if needed. Even after the discount, if a remaining balance exists, MGB offers interest-free payment plans.
Documents Needed for the MGB Financial Assistance Application
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- Proof of all income sources: pay stubs from the past 30 days, most recent federal or state tax return (all pages), Social Security or disability award letters, unemployment benefit statements
- Three most recent bank statements for all accounts (checking, savings, IRA, 401k, all pages)
- Proof of Massachusetts residency (utility bill or signed lease agreement)
- If self-employed: 12 months of profit and loss statements
- Your MGB account number or bill (from your statement)
Common Reasons Applications Get Denied
- Incomplete documentation: missing bank statements or unsigned tax forms
- Household income above 300% FPL for the household size (still worth requesting the 25% early-pay discount)
- Missing the applicant's signature on the application form
- Income was calculated incorrectly: gross income used instead of net, or household size was wrong
- Application submitted for non-covered services (cosmetic procedures, for example, are excluded)
If denied, you have the right to appeal. Request a written denial reason and resubmit with corrected or additional documentation. You can also contact MGB's Patient Advocacy office or the Massachusetts Attorney General's Health Care Division if you believe the denial was improper.
Checking Your Bill Before You Apply
Before submitting a financial assistance application, it is worth verifying that the charges on your bill are accurate. Hospitals bill using CPT and ICD codes, and billing errors are common: duplicate charges, unbundled procedures, and services billed at rates far above the Medicare benchmark all appear regularly on hospital statements.
The CoveredUSA Bill Analyzer compares each line on your bill to the Medicare reference rate and flags charges that are significantly above the standard. Upload your Mass General Brigham bill at /medical-bill-analyzer to identify errors and overcharges before you pay or negotiate.
What to Do If You Cannot Afford a Remaining Balance
Even after MGB's charity care discount, some patients owe a remaining balance. Options include:
MGB interest-free payment plans: MGB offers extended, interest-free payment plans. Ask your patient financial counselor for the longest-term plan available.
Massachusetts Health Safety Net deductible assistance: If you owe an HSN deductible, some community health centers can help you navigate a waiver or reduction.
Nonprofit medical bill negotiation: Organizations like Dollar For specialize in applying for charity care on behalf of patients and may be able to apply to programs you missed.
Debt validation: If the bill has been sold to a collections agency, request a debt validation letter before paying anything. Massachusetts debt collection law gives you the right to dispute or request verification of the debt.
MassHealth retroactive enrollment: If you were uninsured at the time of service and are now applying for MassHealth, ask explicitly about retroactive coverage going back up to 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mass General Brigham financial assistance cover all types of care?
The low-income patient discount applies to emergency and medically necessary care. It does not cover elective cosmetic procedures or services that insurance would classify as non-covered. Co-payments, co-insurance, and deductibles owed to your insurer are also excluded from the MGB charity care program, but they may be covered separately through the Massachusetts Health Safety Net if you qualify.
Can I apply for financial assistance after my bill has gone to collections?
Yes. Massachusetts law requires hospitals to screen patients for financial assistance before selling debt to a collection agency, but errors occur. If your MGB bill has been sent to collections, call 617-726-3884 and ask about applying for retroactive charity care. If the debt was sold and you qualify for financial assistance, MGB is required to recall the debt and apply the discount.
How do I know if I qualify for the Massachusetts Health Safety Net vs. MGB's own charity care?
The Massachusetts Health Safety Net is a state-funded program that pays hospitals directly. MGB's internal charity care is a hospital-funded discount applied directly to your account. You may qualify for both. Apply for HSN first through the Massachusetts Health Connector at mahealthconnector.org, and apply for MGB's financial assistance simultaneously. The programs stack.
What income counts toward the household income calculation?
Income from all household members who file taxes together is counted. This includes wages, self-employment net income, Social Security benefits, rental income, unemployment compensation, and alimony. Child support received is generally included. Child support paid out may reduce counted income depending on documentation. Capital gains and one-time lump sums are evaluated case by case.
How long does approval take?
MGB targets a 30-day review period. If your application is complete and documents are organized, approval can come faster. Call 617-726-3884 on day 25 if you have not received a written decision.
Does the 25% early-pay discount stack with charity care?
No. The 25% general discount applies only to patients who are not otherwise eligible for the income-based assistance program. If your income qualifies you for the tiered discount (70% to 100%), that is the program MGB will apply. You cannot combine the two.
Is the Mass General Brigham financial assistance program the same as MassHealth?
No. MassHealth is Massachusetts's Medicaid program, run by the state government. MGB's financial assistance is a hospital-run charity care program. They are separate. MassHealth eligibility also does not guarantee MGB assistance, and vice versa. However, patients enrolled in MassHealth generally will not have large out-of-pocket balances at MGB because MassHealth covers most costs directly.
What if I received care at Brigham and Women's or another MGB affiliate, is the process the same?
Yes. The financial assistance policy applies across all Mass General Brigham member hospitals, including Brigham and Women's Hospital, Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, North Shore Medical Center, and others. Call the central number (617-726-3884) or the billing department at the specific facility. The application, income thresholds, and documentation requirements are the same system-wide.
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