# Lowell General Hospital

Hospital in Lowell, MA. Verified from the hospital's own policy.

Lowell General Hospital likely gives free care to households with a yearly income up to $23,940 for 1 person, $32,460 for 2, $40,980 for 3, $49,500 for 4, $58,020 for 5 or $66,540 for 6. It likely gives a discount to households with a yearly income up to $47,880 for 1 person, $64,920 for 2, $81,960 for 3, $99,000 for 4, $116,040 for 5 or $133,080 for 6.

The hospital makes the final decision.

| Household size | Free care if yearly income is up to | Discount if yearly income is up to |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |

Dollar amounts use the 2026 federal poverty guidelines.

## Discount steps

- 0% to 150% of poverty level, patient pays nothing (100% discount) on inpatient charges
- 151% to 300% of poverty level, patient pays charges less a 48.30% discount (inpatient) or 67.80% discount (outpatient)
- 301% to null% of poverty level, patient pays charges less up to 30% (uninsured discount, any income)

## How to apply

- Call 978-937-6700 and ask for financial assistance.
- [Application form](https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/13144-EN-Financial-Assistance-Application-TM-FY23.pdf)
- [Tufts Medicine Financial Assistance Program (FAP), Appendix C 2026](https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/sites/default/files/2026-09/13144-EN-Tufts-Medicine-Financial-Assistance-Policy.pdf)
- [Plain language summary](https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/13144-EN-FAP-Plain-Language-Summary.pdf)
- 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.
- Bring proof of annual household income (pay stubs, Social Security records, employer letter, tax returns or bank statements), proof of citizenship and identity, immigration status for non-citizens, if applicable, assets, for household members 65 and over, insurance information.
- Residency. United States resident for the income-based discounts; the uninsured discount has no residency rule
- Languages. English, Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Italian, Khmer, Laotian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese

## If you have insurance

This policy does not cover bills for patients who have insurance.
Keep your insurance. Financial assistance covers bills from this one place only.

## What is covered

Covered. Medically necessary emergency, urgent and scheduled care billed by Tufts Medicine hospitals and their listed practices.

Not covered. Copays, deductibles and coinsurance. Independent doctors who are not Tufts Medicine employees, including anesthesiologists, radiologists and pathologists (see the Provider Affiliate List). Non-medically necessary services such as cosmetic surgery and research. Scheduled care for patients who travel from outside the service area when the care is offered in their own network.

## 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 https://www.mass.gov/info-details/health-safety-net-for-patients, 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

How to apply. 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.

Source https://www.mass.gov/info-details/health-safety-net-for-patients, 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.

How to apply. 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%

Source https://www.mass.gov/doc/emergency-adoption-date-filed-october-9-2026-1/download, checked 2026-11-10

## Notes

Tufts Medicine's own discounts do not apply to copays, deductibles or coinsurance, so insured Massachusetts residents should ask about the Health Safety Net, which can pay deductibles and coinsurance. All supporting documents must arrive within 30 days of the application. Approval lasts 6 months. The 2026 discount table shows 100% off inpatient charges up to 150% of the poverty level; the outpatient row lists only the 151% to 300% discount, so the outpatient discount at or below 150% should be confirmed by phone. Assets are asked for only for household members 65 and over. Medical Hardship is offered through the state Health Safety Net (bills over 20% of income per the policy), not through a Tufts Medicine discount. HSN Low Income and Medical Hardship patients get interest-free payment plans (at least one year for balances of $1,000 or less with payments of no more than $25 a month; at least two years above that).

## Sources

- Free care level https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/sites/default/files/2026-09/13144-EN-Tufts-Medicine-Financial-Assistance-Policy.pdf
  > Up to 101% - 150% FPL ... Inpatient Discount 100%
- Discount level https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/sites/default/files/2026-09/13144-EN-Tufts-Medicine-Financial-Assistance-Policy.pdf
  > Discounts based solely on income are generally limited to patients with family income levels less than 301% of the FPL.
- Insured patients https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/for-patients/financial-assistance-policies
  > Important: We do not discount patient co-payments, deductibles or co-insurance.
- Residency https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/sites/default/files/2026-09/13144-EN-Tufts-Medicine-Financial-Assistance-Policy.pdf
  > For residents of the United States, the most recently published FPLs for the total income of the family will be used
- Financial counseling phone https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/sites/default/files/2026-09/13144-EN-Tufts-Medicine-Financial-Assistance-Policy.pdf
  > Tufts Medical Center ... By telephone at 978-937-6700
- What is not covered https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/13144-EN-FAP-Plain-Language-Summary.pdf
  > It does not apply to services rendered by independent physicians or practitioners that are not employed by Tufts Medicine.
- Languages https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/sites/default/files/2026-09/13144-EN-Tufts-Medicine-Financial-Assistance-Policy.pdf
  > available in English, Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Italian, Khmer, Laotian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
- Documents https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/sites/default/files/2026-09/13144-EN-Tufts-Medicine-Financial-Assistance-Policy.pdf
  > Necessary documentation may include ... proof of: (1) annual household income
- Uninsured discount https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/sites/default/files/2026-09/13144-EN-Tufts-Medicine-Financial-Assistance-Policy.pdf
  > All Uninsured patients who meet the conditions of this policy are eligible for a discount of up to 30%.
- Covered facility https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/sites/default/files/2026-09/13144-EN-Tufts-Medicine-Financial-Assistance-Policy.pdf
  > Tufts Medicine, which includes Tufts Medical Center, Lowell General Hospital, MelroseWakefield Healthcare
- Discount steps https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/sites/default/files/2026-09/13144-EN-Tufts-Medicine-Financial-Assistance-Policy.pdf
  > TM Lowell General Hospital Inpatient Discount 100% 48.30% 30%
- Hsn list https://www.mass.gov/doc/hsn-acute-care-hospital-locations/download
  > Lowell Lowell General Hospital 295 Varnum Avenue 01854

Last checked 2026-11-10.

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