We have not yet read Maine’s own laws on hospital bills; this page covers each hospital’s own policy and the federal rules for nonprofit hospitals.
Have a bill from one of these hospitals?
Check it for free: your browser reads it, and we name the first thing worth asking the billing office about. The full list, with the exact questions to ask, is $6.99 for one bill, or included with Pro at $9.99 a month.
34 Maine hospitals, by town.
Nonprofit and government hospitals
Maine General Medical Center
Augusta, Kennebec County · Nonprofit, general acute care
We could not read its financial assistance policy on 2026-11-09 (its website did not open for us). Ask the billing office for the policy and the application.
Riverview Psychiatric Center
Augusta, Kennebec County · Government, psychiatric
We could not read its financial assistance policy on 2026-11-09 (we found no policy). Ask the billing office for the policy and the application.
Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center
Bangor, Penobscot County · Government, psychiatric
We could not read its financial assistance policy on 2026-11-09 (we found no policy). Ask the billing office for the policy and the application.
Northern Light Acadia Hospital
Bangor, Penobscot County · Nonprofit, psychiatric · Northern Light Health
- Timing
- At least 240 days after the first post-discharge bill
The policy says
“The Application Period begins on the date the care is provided by a Northern Light Health Member Organization hospital to an individual and ends no earlier than the 240th day after the date the first post-discharge billing statement for the care is provided.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Financial assistance policyPlain language summaryApplication
Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center
Bangor, Penobscot County · Nonprofit, general acute care · Northern Light Health
- Timing
- At least 240 days after the first post-discharge bill
The policy says
“The Application Period begins on the date the care is provided by a Northern Light Health Member Organization hospital to an individual and ends no earlier than the 240th day after the date the first post-discharge billing statement for the care is provided.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Financial assistance policyPlain language summaryApplication
St. Joseph Hospital
Bangor, Penobscot County · Nonprofit, general acute care · Covenant Health
- Free care
- Up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines: about $66,000 a year for a family of four in 2026.
The policy says
“Financial Assistance: Income up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines qualifies for a 100% discount.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
- Discounts
- Up to 400% of the federal poverty guidelines: about $132,000 a year for a family of four in 2026.
The policy says
“Income 201-400% of Federal Poverty Guidelines qualifies for a 70% discount.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
- Timing
- 240 days
The policy says
“Covers dates of service in which the initial claim to the patient is within 240 days preceding Financial Assistance Policy.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Mount Desert Island Hospital
Bar Harbor, Hancock County · Nonprofit, critical access
We could not read its financial assistance policy on 2026-11-09 (its website did not open for us). Ask the billing office for the policy and the application.
MaineHealth Waldo Hospital
Belfast, Waldo County · Nonprofit, critical access · MaineHealth
Northern Light Blue Hill Hospital
Blue Hill, Hancock County · Nonprofit, critical access · Northern Light Health
- Timing
- At least 240 days after the first post-discharge bill
The policy says
“The Application Period begins on the date the care is provided by a Northern Light Health Member Organization hospital to an individual and ends no earlier than the 240th day after the date the first post-discharge billing statement for the care is provided.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Financial assistance policyPlain language summaryApplication
Bridgton Hospital
Bridgton, Cumberland County · Nonprofit, critical access · Central Maine Healthcare
- Timing
- 240 days
The policy says
“The Application Period for Financial Assistance for a date of service expires 240 days from the first post discharge billing statement.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Financial assistance policyPlain language summaryApplication
MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital
Brunswick, Cumberland County · Nonprofit, general acute care · MaineHealth
Calais Community Hospital
Calais, Washington County · Nonprofit, critical access
- Free care
- Up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines: about $66,000 a year for a family of four in 2026.
The policy says
“Discounts of 100% on gross charges, known as "free care", are available for individual or family income at or below 200% of the most current Federal Poverty Level.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
- Timing
- 240 days
The policy says
“Completed applications for financial assistance must be received within 240 days of the first post-discharge billing statement.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Cary Medical Center
Caribou, Aroostook County · Government, general acute care
- Free care
- Up to 190% of the federal poverty guidelines: about $62,700 a year for a family of four in 2026.
- Discounts
- Up to 210% of the federal poverty guidelines: about $69,300 a year for a family of four in 2026.
The policy says
“Our FAP offers a discount on your bill for family income levels not exceeding 210% of the FPG.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital
Damariscotta, Lincoln County · Nonprofit, critical access · MaineHealth
Northern Light Mayo Hospital
Dover Foxcroft, Piscataquis County · Government, critical access · Northern Light Health
- Timing
- At least 240 days after the first post-discharge bill
The policy says
“The Application Period begins on the date the care is provided by a Northern Light Health Member Organization hospital to an individual and ends no earlier than the 240th day after the date the first post-discharge billing statement for the care is provided.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Financial assistance policyPlain language summaryApplication
Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital
Ellsworth, Hancock County · Nonprofit, general acute care · Northern Light Health
- Timing
- At least 240 days after the first post-discharge bill
The policy says
“The Application Period begins on the date the care is provided by a Northern Light Health Member Organization hospital to an individual and ends no earlier than the 240th day after the date the first post-discharge billing statement for the care is provided.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Financial assistance policyPlain language summaryApplication
MaineHealth Franklin Hospital
Farmington, Franklin County · Nonprofit, critical access · MaineHealth
Northern Maine Medical Center
Fort Kent, Aroostook County · Nonprofit, critical access
We could not read its financial assistance policy on 2026-11-09 (its website did not open for us). Ask the billing office for the policy and the application.
Northern Light C.A. Dean Hospital
Greenville, Piscataquis County · Government, critical access · Northern Light Health
- Timing
- At least 240 days after the first post-discharge bill
The policy says
“The Application Period begins on the date the care is provided by a Northern Light Health Member Organization hospital to an individual and ends no earlier than the 240th day after the date the first post-discharge billing statement for the care is provided.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Financial assistance policyPlain language summaryApplication
Houlton Regional Hospital
Houlton, Aroostook County · Nonprofit, critical access
We could not read its financial assistance policy on 2026-11-09 (its website did not open for us). Ask the billing office for the policy and the application.
Central Maine Medical Center
Lewiston, Androscoggin County · Nonprofit, general acute care · Central Maine Healthcare
- Timing
- 240 days
The policy says
“The Application Period for Financial Assistance for a date of service expires 240 days from the first post discharge billing statement.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Financial assistance policyPlain language summaryApplication
St. Mary's Health System
Lewiston, Androscoggin County · Nonprofit, general acute care · Covenant Health
- Free care
- Up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines: about $66,000 a year for a family of four in 2026.
The policy says
“Financial Assistance: Income up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines qualifies for a 100% discount.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
- Discounts
- Up to 400% of the federal poverty guidelines: about $132,000 a year for a family of four in 2026.
The policy says
“Income 201-400% of Federal Poverty Guidelines qualifies for a 70% discount.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
- Timing
- 240 days
The policy says
“Covers dates of service in which the initial claim to the patient is within 240 days preceding Financial Assistance Policy.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Penobscot Valley Hospital
Lincoln, Penobscot County · Nonprofit, critical access
- Timing
- 240 days
The policy says
“Patients will have at least 240 days from the date of the first post-discharge billing statement for an episode of care to submit a financial assistance application for that episode, in alignment with Section 501(r) of the internal Revenue Code.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Down East Community Hospital
Machias, Washington County · Nonprofit, critical access
- Free care
- Up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines: about $66,000 a year for a family of four in 2026.
The policy says
“Discounts of 100% on gross charges, known as “free care”, are available for individual or family income at or below 200% of the most current Federal Poverty Level.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
- Timing
- 240 days
The policy says
“Completed applications for financial assistance must be received within 240 days of the first post-discharge billing statement.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Millinocket Regional Hospital
Millinocket, Penobscot County · Nonprofit, critical access
- Free care
- Up to 150% of the federal poverty guidelines: about $49,500 a year for a family of four in 2026.
The policy says
“Less than 150% Federal Poverty Guidelines 100% Discount 150%-200% 50% Discount”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
- Discounts
- Up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines: about $66,000 a year for a family of four in 2026.
The policy says
“Less than 150% Federal Poverty Guidelines 100% Discount 150%-200% 50% Discount”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Financial assistance policyPlain language summaryApplication
MaineHealth Stephens Hospital
Norway, Oxford County · Nonprofit, critical access · MaineHealth
Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital
Pittsfield, Somerset County · Nonprofit, critical access · Northern Light Health
- Timing
- At least 240 days after the first post-discharge bill
The policy says
“The Application Period begins on the date the care is provided by a Northern Light Health Member Organization hospital to an individual and ends no earlier than the 240th day after the date the first post-discharge billing statement for the care is provided.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Financial assistance policyPlain language summaryApplication
MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland
Portland, Cumberland County · Nonprofit, general acute care · MaineHealth
Northern Light Mercy Hospital
Portland, Cumberland County · Nonprofit, general acute care · Northern Light Health
- Timing
- At least 240 days after the first post-discharge bill
The policy says
“The Application Period begins on the date the care is provided by a Northern Light Health Member Organization hospital to an individual and ends no earlier than the 240th day after the date the first post-discharge billing statement for the care is provided.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Financial assistance policyPlain language summaryApplication
Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital
Presque Isle, Aroostook County · Nonprofit, general acute care · Northern Light Health
- Timing
- At least 240 days after the first post-discharge bill
The policy says
“The Application Period begins on the date the care is provided by a Northern Light Health Member Organization hospital to an individual and ends no earlier than the 240th day after the date the first post-discharge billing statement for the care is provided.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Financial assistance policyPlain language summaryApplication
MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital
Rockport, Knox County · Nonprofit, general acute care · MaineHealth
Redington-Fairview General Hospital
Skowhegan, Somerset County · Nonprofit, critical access
We could not read its financial assistance policy on 2026-11-09 (we found no policy). Ask the billing office for the policy and the application.
York Hospital
York, York County · Nonprofit, general acute care
- Free care
- Up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines: about $66,000 a year for a family of four in 2026.
The policy says
“York Hospital provides free care at 200% above the federal poverty guidelines, as outlined below.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
- Timing
- 240 days
The policy says
“When application is approved outstanding balances will be covered back dated 240 days from the date of the application and through 12/31/2026.”
Read on this document, 2026-11-09.
Financial assistance policyHospital’s financial assistance page
For-profit hospitals
The federal rules for nonprofit hospitals do not apply to a for-profit hospital. Ask whether it has a financial assistance or charity care policy.
Rumford Hospital
Rumford, Oxford County · For-profit, critical access
Ask whether it has a financial assistance or charity care policy.
Federal rules for nonprofit hospitals
- A nonprofit hospital must have a written financial assistance policy. There is no federal income level: the policy sets its own criteria.
- It must accept applications for at least 240 days after the first bill sent after you leave.
- For patients it finds eligible, charges for emergency and other medically necessary care are limited to the amounts generally billed to people with insurance.
- These rules apply to hospitals recognized as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3), including government hospitals with that status.
More in the hospital charity care guide.
What to ask the billing office
- Ask for the financial assistance policy, the application and the plain language summary.
- Ask which income limit applies to your household and what counts as income.
- Ask whether the doctors who treated you are covered by the policy or bill separately.
- Ask until when you can still apply for the bill you have, and ask for the answer in writing.
The free financial assistance letter asks for all three papers. Denied? How to appeal or reapply. Already paid? How applying after you have paid works. Compare large health systems on the hospital list.
Helping people with hospital bills in Maine?
Send them this page. With a client link from your organization they also get Pro at no cost to them: the full list for every bill, the questions to ask and a letter. A free pilot is available on request.
Sources
The list of hospitals, their towns, counties and ownership come from Hospital General Information (CMS Provider Data Catalog), modified 2026-07-22. Ownership is CMS’s label, not a tax ruling. We left out the 2 hospitals the CMS file lists under federal ownership, such as VA and military hospitals.
Each figure comes from the hospital’s own policy, which every figure links to, with the policy’s words and the day we read it (2026-11-09). We used AI reading tools, and a second independent check compared each quote and figure with the policy text. A figure that was not confirmed is left out. Dollar amounts use the 2026 federal poverty guidelines for the 48 states and Washington, DC (91 FR 1797).
We are not part of any of these hospitals. Policies change, and the hospital decides from its own form, with conditions such as assets or residency that the policy sets. If what you read here differs from the current policy, the policy counts. A correction? Tell us on the Support page.
MedBillCheckup provides informational assistance only. It does not determine whether a charge is medically necessary, fraudulent, illegal, or definitively incorrect, and it is not a substitute for advice from a lawyer, doctor, insurer, or certified medical billing specialist.