Many South Asians are unaware that health services are available to immigrants who lack health insurance. Many wonder – can my mother and father visiting from India get health care? What about if someone you know has lost his or her job? If health care payment options are not available for you or your loved ones, Massachusetts residents of all ages can apply for help paying for hospital and health center bills from the Massachusetts Uncompensated (Free) Care Pool.

Eligibility:
You must prove that you are a resident of Massachusetts (i.e. a telephone bill addressed to you). Any person, child, or adult, regardless of immigrant status, is eligible for full or partial free care. If you are a non-Massachusetts resident, you are eligible from free care for emergency and urgent care only. Your family income needs to be less than 200% of the poverty level 1(see income chart at the end of the page). Even if your family income is between 200% and 400% of the poverty level, you are eligible for partial free care. In this case, you will have a deductible based on your income. Once you meet the deductible, you will qualify for free care.

Coverage:
What is covered depends on the services offered at each hospital or health center. You will need to verify the particular hospital or health center to find out what it covers. Free care does not cover private doctors’ bills.

How to apply:
You can contact the free care office at each hospital or health center where you use your services.

At the Cambridge Health Alliance (including the Cambridge Hospital and Somerville Hospital), please contact: Cambridge Hospital Free Care office: 617-665-1046 Somerville Hospital Free Care office: 617-591-4407 or 617-591-4408.For information on Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan call (800) 841-4325.

It is important that we be aware of our health care options. We should not deny ourselves of proper health care even if we do not have health insurance. Please disseminate this information to anyone that does not have health insurance and needs to seek medical care. Options are available!!!
Income chart. Taken from Boston Public Health Commission. How to Access Health Care:

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