Despite the gains in access to health insurance afforded by the state’s health care reform law, medical debt continues to be an issue. It impacts individuals and families by damaging credit ratings. Lack of uniform federal and state debt collection standards create confusion for patients and providers. To help better understand the implications of medical debt, the Foundation helped finance, with a policy grant, the Medical Debt Resolution Program of The Access Project, to help clients of The Access Project resolve their medical debt, and monitor the impact of the state's health care reform law on people's ability to afford and access care.

On June 18, 2009, the Foundation co-sponsored the educational forum Addressing Medical Debt: Developing Best Practices for Providers and Patients with The Access Project, Health Law Advocates, and The Massachusetts Hospital Association. Materials presented at the forum related to debt collection practices, best practices for hospitals, and the impact of medical debt are available to the right and below.

The Attorney General’s Community Benefits Guidelines for Non Profit Hospitals 

Hallmark Health Financial Aid Poster (English)

Hallmark Health Financial Aid Poster (Spanish)

Hallmark Health Payment Plan Notification

Health Safety Net Regulations

Noble Hospital Financial Assistance Form (English/Russian)

Billing Statement From Partners HealthCare