Financial Assistance + Policies
Are you having trouble paying your hospital and physician organization bills?
Patient listens to counselor during a clinic appointment while sitting next to large windows.

Patients who have the means are expected to pay for services received at Tufts Medicine. We provide financial counseling and financial assistance to patients unable to pay for emergency and medically necessary care.

Financial coordinators are here to help

Let's partner on this — we can help you apply for financial assistance and find insurance. We can help with the following:

  • Application renewal or re-enrollment to make the process easier
  • Applications for financial assistance
  • Determining your eligibility for state-funded programs
  • Referrals to additional state agencies that can provide assistance
  • Scheduling medical appointments with physicians or for testing and procedures
  • Serve as your personal advocate between you and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Who is eligible for assistance?

We are here to help you if you are:

  • A resident of Massachusetts and meets the state guidelines
  • Disabled
  • HIV positive
  • Low or median income
  • Over the age of 65
  • Pregnant
  • Self-employed
  • Unemployed
  • Uninsured or with limited insurance

What do I need to bring?

Please bring the following proof of eligibility to your appointment:

  • If employed: 2 recent pay stubs or a letter from your employer stating your gross income earned
  • If self-employed: bring your most recent Federal 1040 Tax Return with relevant attachments, recipient of child support or alimony
  • If unemployed: bring 2 recent unemployment pay stubs and proof of your immigration status (such as an alien registration card, commonly known as a green card, employment authorization, foreign passport, Visa, a letter from INS or affidavit of an attorney)

How to get started
Care at Home

Call 800.933.5593 for more information.
Lowell General Hospital
  • Visit the Lowell General Hospital, Main Campus, 295 Varnum Ave., Lowell, MA 01854 — ground floor Dahod Building in the Patient Service Center
  • Visit the Lowell General Hospital, Saints Campus, 1 Hospital Drive, Lowell, MA 01852 — ground floor entrance main lobby
  • Send a written request by mail to Lowell General Hospital, Patient Financial Services, 295 Varnum Ave., Lowell, MA 01854
  • Call financial counseling at 978.937.6700
MelroseWakefield Hospital

Financial counselors are available to meet in Medford and Melrose. Interpreter services are available upon request.

To schedule an appointment with one of our financial counselors, please call 781.338.7111.
Tufts Medical Center
  • Biewend Building, 1st Floor, 260 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02111
  • Proger Building, 1st Floor, 800 Washington St., Boston, MA  02111
  • Emergency Department, 1st Floor, 800 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111
  • By telephone at 617.636.6013
  • By email at FinancialAssistance@tuftsmedicalcenter.org
  • By mail at Tufts Medical Center, Financial Coordination, 800 Washington St., Box 475, Boston, MA 02111
education

Financial assistance

If you do not have insurance coverage or if you do not have enough insurance coverage to cover your care, you may qualify for a discount or payment plan. An application with supporting documentation may be required.

Financial assistance application

Download the application:

Bring this application when you meet with the financial coordinator or bring it to one of our hospitals for assistance (see details by selecting the hospital under "how to get started"). 

Important: We do not discount patient co-payments, deductibles or co-insurance.

Plain language summary (short version)

Full financial assistance policy (long version)

All documents are available free of charge on our website and in person at Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Hospital and Tufts Medical Center. You may also request to have documents mailed to you, free of charge.
education

Credit + collection policy

Our Credit and Collection Policy governs how and when we collect patient demographic and insurance information and how and when we bill insurance and bill the patient.
bullhorn

State programs
  • If you live in Massachusetts, you may be able to get health insurance or help paying for your healthcare bills through state programs like MassHealth, the Health Connector, or the Health Safety Net. Each program has different rules and income limitations.  

To find out more and to apply:

  • Go to MAhealthconnector.org.
  • Work with a financial coordinator at one of our organizations. Details on how to connect with them are found under "How to get started."
  • Other states have health insurance programs as well. Visit HealthCare.gov for more details.