Emerson Hospital

Nonprofit acute care hospital in W Concord, MA.

Verified from the hospital's own policy

Emerson Hospital 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 $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.

The hospital makes the final decision.

Yearly household income, before taxes, using the 2026 federal poverty guidelines (free up to 200%, discount up to 400% of poverty level).
People in householdFree care up toDiscount up to
1$31,920$63,840
2$43,280$86,560
3$54,640$109,280
4$66,000$132,000
5$77,360$154,720
6$88,720$177,440

Discount steps

  • 0% to 200% of poverty level, you pay nothing (100% off charges, and 100% off copays and deductibles)
  • 200% to 400% of poverty level, you pay amounts generally billed (AGB); no discount on copays or deductibles

How to apply

  1. Call 978-287-3432 and ask for financial assistance.
  2. Application form
  3. Emerson Hospital Patient Discount and Financial Assistance Policy
  4. Plain language summary
  5. 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

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 other medically necessary services at Emerson Hospital, including care by Emerson-employed physicians at the hospital or a hospital-licensed clinic.
Not covered
Doctors who bill privately are excluded from the uninsured discount; see the participating provider list. Other Services (cosmetic surgery, gastric bypass without payer approval, convenience items) are not discounted for patients who have or qualify for coverage.

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, 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

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.

Program source, 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.

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%

Program source, checked 2026-11-10

Notes

Emerson is more generous than the Health Safety Net at the low end. It forgives the whole bill, and also copays and deductibles, for Massachusetts residents up to 200% of the poverty level, compared with 150% for full HSN. From 200% to 400% the bill is cut to what insurers pay (AGB). You must meet a financial counselor and apply for any coverage you may be able to get, and help from other sources (charities, family) counts against you. Approval generally lasts one year. Uninsured patients at any income get 20% off inpatient and 43% off outpatient care if current on past balances. The policy's income table is dated March 2022 and is labeled at 150%, 250% and 300% of poverty while the discount table uses 200% and 400%; confirm which figures staff use. The web page's 'full free care' and 'partial free care' table also uses 2022 figures.

Sources

  • Free care level
    Household MassHealth MAGI as % of FPG ... 0% to 200% 100% 100%
  • Discount level
    The patient’s combined household MassHealth MAGI may not exceed 400% of the Federal Income Poverty Guidelines (FPG)
  • Discount steps
    200% to 400% AGB None
  • Insured patients
    Discount – Co-payment, Deductible ... 0% to 200% ... 100%
  • Residency
    The patient must reside in Massachusetts
  • Financial counseling phone
    The application process can be initiated by contacting a Financial Counselor at 978-287-3432.
  • State program
    Emerson Hospital and designated hospital-based physician practices participate in this coverage and comply with all aspects of the HSN regulations.
  • Uninsured discount
    Inpatient Services 20% Discount Outpatient Services 43% Discount
  • Other funding
    The patient/Guarantor does not have funding from other sources (e.g. charitable foundations, family members, etc.)
  • Hsn list
    Concord Emerson Hospital 133 Old Road to Nine Acre Corner 01742

Last checked. 2026-11-10

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