Brigham and Women's Hospital financial assistance: the complete 2026 guide
Brigham and Women's Hospital is one of the most recognized academic medical centers in the country, affiliated with Harvard Medical School and part of the Mass General Brigham (MGB) system. Its financial assistance program operates under the MGB systemwide policy — providing free care to patients under 300% FPL and sliding-scale discounts up to 400% FPL — supplemented by Massachusetts's Health Safety Net program. This 2026 guide covers everything patients need to know before applying.
Quick facts: Brigham and Women's Hospital
Type: Nonprofit academic medical center (Mass General Brigham system)
Location: Boston, MA
Free care threshold: 300% FPL
Discount threshold: Up to 400% FPL
Apply online: brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/billing-and-financial-assistance
Apply by phone: 1-617-732-9677 (Brigham and Women's Patient Financial Services)
What you need to know about Brigham and Women's Hospital's financial assistance program
Free care under 300% FPL
Brigham and Women's follows the Mass General Brigham systemwide policy — free care for patients up to 300% FPL, significantly above the 200% FPL baseline common at many hospitals.
Additional state coverage
Massachusetts's Health Safety Net program supplements MGB's financial assistance, providing additional coverage for patients up to 400% FPL who are Massachusetts residents.
Required by MA law
Massachusetts law requires Brigham and Women's to proactively screen every patient for financial assistance eligibility — you don't have to know to ask.
Not just uninsured
Both uninsured and underinsured patients may qualify. If your insurance leaves you with significant out-of-pocket costs, you may still be eligible for financial assistance.
2026 income limits for Brigham and Women's Hospital financial assistance
The table below shows 2026 federal poverty levels across common household sizes. The free-care threshold at Brigham and Women's Hospital is approximately 300% FPL and discount eligibility extends to approximately Up to 400% FPL. Always confirm current thresholds in the hospital's published Financial Assistance Policy before applying.
| Household size | 100% FPL | 200% FPL | 300% FPL | 400% FPL | 500% FPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,960 | $31,920 | $47,880 | $63,840 | $79,800 |
| 2 people | $21,600 | $43,200 | $64,800 | $86,400 | $108,000 |
| 3 people | $27,240 | $54,480 | $81,720 | $108,960 | $136,200 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $66,000 | $99,000 | $132,000 | $165,000 |
| 5 people | $38,640 | $77,280 | $115,920 | $154,560 | $193,200 |
| 6 people | $44,280 | $88,560 | $132,840 | $177,120 | $221,400 |
How to apply for financial assistance at Brigham and Women's Hospital
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Request an itemized bill first
Before doing anything else, call Brigham and Women's Patient Financial Services at 1-617-732-9677 and request a fully itemized statement of every charge on your bill. Review it carefully — billing errors are common. Correcting errors before applying means charity care is applied to the correct baseline amount.
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Read the Financial Assistance Policy
Download and read Brigham and Women's Hospital's Financial Assistance Policy at brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/billing-and-financial-assistance. Pay particular attention to the income tiers, documentation requirements, and appeal process before starting the application.
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Complete the application
Download the financial assistance application from the same page, or request a paper copy at any Brigham and Women's Hospital admissions or billing office. Complete every section — incomplete applications are the most common reason for processing delays and initial denials.
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Gather your documentation
Collect all documents listed in the section below. Make photocopies of everything before submitting. If mailing, use certified mail with return receipt to create a dated delivery record.
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Submit and follow up
Submit your completed application and supporting documents. Follow up by phone after 2–3 weeks to confirm receipt, get a case reference number, and ask about the expected processing timeline.
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Appeal if denied
A denial is not final. Request the specific reason in writing and submit a formal written appeal with additional or corrected documentation. Read our complete guide to appealing a denied charity care application for a step-by-step process.
What Brigham and Women's Hospital typically requires for a financial assistance application
- Mass General Brigham Financial Assistance Application
- Most recent federal tax return (Form 1040) for all household members
- Recent pay stubs (last 2–3 months)
- MassHealth determination letter if applicable
- Government benefit award letters (Social Security, SNAP, disability)
- Bank statements if self-employed or income is irregular
- If no income: signed self-attestation letter
Free care threshold is 300% FPL — higher than the national norm
Brigham and Women's 300% FPL free-care threshold is meaningfully higher than the national norm of 200% FPL. For 2026, 300% FPL is $47,880 for a single person and $99,000 for a family of four. Many families earning up to that amount qualify for completely free care — a fact that the billing department does not always volunteer. Ask specifically about the 300% FPL free-care threshold when you call.
Where this page's information comes from
- 1.Brigham and Women's Financial Assistance — www.brighamandwomens.org
- 2.Mass General Brigham Financial Assistance — www.massgeneralbrigham.org
- 3.Massachusetts Health Safety Net — mass.gov — www.mass.gov
- 4.IRS Section 501(r) — Requirements for Nonprofit Hospitals — www.irs.gov
Verify with the hospital directly
Hospital financial assistance policies are updated at least annually. Always confirm current income thresholds, required documentation, and the application process directly with Brigham and Women's Hospital's financial assistance office before submitting your application. This page was last reviewed July 2026.