facebook tracking Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA: ER Visit 4h 48m

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114Suffolk County

Acute care hospital 997 beds (Medicare cost report FY2024) Emergency room

Independent directory · data from CMS, not from this hospital

Massachusetts General Hospital is a non-profit acute care hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, with an emergency department. According to HospitalsInEachState.com's analysis of the July 2026 CMS release, patients treated and sent home spend a median of 4 hr 48 min in its emergency department, 1 hr 8 min longer than the average across Massachusetts hospitals (3 hr 40 min). Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall, and patients give it 4 out of 5 in the Medicare patient survey.

In a mental health crisis? Free, 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Emergency? Call 911.

Visiting Massachusetts General Hospital

Address 55 Fruit St
Boston, MA 02114
County: Suffolk
Directions Apple Maps Call (617) 726-2000
Emergency room Yes. For patients treated and sent home, the median ER visit here lasts 4 hr 48 min (average across MA hospitals: 3 hr 40 min). Medicare's median time in the ER for patients treated and sent home; not a live wait. ER times across MA
What to bring
  • Photo ID and your insurance, Medicare or Medicaid card
  • A list of your medicines, doses and allergies
  • Your doctor's name and phone number
  • A phone charger
Visiting hours and parking vary: call ahead.

Official links: Website for Massachusetts General Hospital (opens the hospital's site)

Quick answers about Massachusetts General Hospital

How long is the ER wait at Massachusetts General Hospital?

CMS doesn't publish live wait times. Over the 12 months CMS reported, patients treated and sent home spent a median of 4 hr 48 min in the Massachusetts General Hospital emergency room (the average across Massachusetts hospitals is 3 hr 40 min). 4% of ER patients left before being seen. For tonight's wait, check the hospital's website (opens the hospital's own site) or call (617) 726-2000. In an emergency, call 911.

What is the phone number for Massachusetts General Hospital?

The main phone number for Massachusetts General Hospital is (617) 726-2000, from Medicare's hospital records.

Call (617) 726-2000
What is the address of Massachusetts General Hospital?

Massachusetts General Hospital is at 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114.

Directions (opens Google Maps)
Does Massachusetts General Hospital have an emergency room?

Yes. Massachusetts General Hospital has an emergency department, according to Medicare data.

What is Massachusetts General Hospital's Medicare star rating?

Massachusetts General Hospital has an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Star ratings come from CMS quality and safety measures, not patient reviews.

Quality and performance

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · data as of July 2026

Patients treated and sent home from the emergency department at Massachusetts General Hospital spend a median of 4 hours 48 minutes there. That is 1 hour 8 minutes longer than the average across Massachusetts hospitals (3 hours 40 minutes).

CMS rating ★★★★★ 5/5
Left before seen 4%
ER volume very high
Type Acute Care
Ownership Non-profit
Maternity Birthing-friendly

Source: CMS Hospital General Information and Timely & Effective Care. Wait times are a median over a past 12-month reporting period, not live data. Not affiliated with CMS or with Massachusetts General Hospital. For a medical emergency, call 911.

Compare ER waits across Massachusetts · How Massachusetts hospitals rank on star ratings · Other birthing-friendly hospitals in Massachusetts · How we source this data · Something wrong on this page? Tell us

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What patients say

CMS patient survey (HCAHPS) · 593 completed surveys · patients discharged Oct 2024 – Sep 2025

Patients gave Massachusetts General Hospital a 4-star patient experience rating out of 5. 85% would definitely recommend it (U.S. average 71%). 78% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10.

Patient star rating ★★★★★ 4 out of 5
Would definitely recommend 85% U.S. 71% · MA 70%
Rated 9 or 10 of 10 78% U.S. 72% · MA 68%
Survey response rate 22% of patients surveyed
Nurse communicationDid nurses treat you with courtesy and respect, listen carefully and explain things clearly?
★★★★★
82% always · 3% sometimes or never · U.S. 80% always
Doctor communicationDid doctors treat you with courtesy and respect, listen carefully and explain things clearly?
★★★★★
81% always · 5% sometimes or never · U.S. 80% always
Communication about medicinesBefore giving you a new medicine, did staff tell you what it was for and its possible side effects?
★★★★★
65% always · 19% sometimes or never · U.S. 62% always
Discharge informationDid staff talk with you about help you would need at home and symptoms to watch for?
★★★★★
89% yes · 11% no · U.S. 86% yes
CleanlinessHow often were your room and bathroom kept clean?
★★★★★
72% always · 8% sometimes or never · U.S. 74% always
Quiet at nightHow often was the area around your room quiet at night?
★★★★★
44% always · 22% sometimes or never · U.S. 60% always
Overall hospital ratingUsing any number from 0 to 10, what number would you use to rate this hospital?
★★★★★
78% 9 or 10 · 7% 6 or lower · U.S. 72% 9 or 10
Would recommendWould you recommend this hospital to your friends and family?
★★★★★
85% definitely yes · 2% no · U.S. 71% definitely yes

The patient survey (HCAHPS) asks a random sample of adult patients about their recent hospital stay. CMS adjusts the results for the mix of patients and how the survey was done, so hospitals can be compared fairly. About the data.

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Infections, complications and deaths

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · compared with hospitals nationwide

Of the 6 hospital-acquired infections CMS could compare, Massachusetts General Hospital was better than the national benchmark on 3 and worse on 0. Its rate of serious complications was same as national.

Hospital-acquired infections

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)Bloodstream infections in patients with a central IV line, in ICUs and select wards.
Better than national 43 infections vs 70.1 predicted · ratio 0.61
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)Urinary tract infections in patients with a urinary catheter, in ICUs and select wards.
Same as national 67 infections vs 65.4 predicted · ratio 1.02
Surgical site infections after colon surgeryInfections at the surgery site after colon surgery.
Same as national 29 infections vs 22 predicted · ratio 1.32
Surgical site infections after abdominal hysterectomyInfections at the surgery site after an abdominal hysterectomy.
Same as national 2 infections vs 2.9 predicted · ratio 0.68
MRSA bloodstream infectionsBloodstream infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a drug-resistant bacteria.
Better than national 20 infections vs 35.1 predicted · ratio 0.57
C. diff intestinal infectionsClostridioides difficile infections, a bacteria that causes severe diarrhea, often after antibiotics.
Better than national 132 infections vs 184.4 predicted · ratio 0.72

Serious complications

Serious complications (CMS PSI 90)Combines patient safety problems such as falls with fractures, bed sores, collapsed lungs, blood clots and infections after surgery. 1.00 is the national value; lower is better.
Same as national Ratio 0.87

Death rates within 30 days

Patients treated forThis hospitalU.S.
Heart attack patients 9.3% 11.9%
Heart failure patients 6.8% 11.1%
Pneumonia patients 12.9% 15.2%
Stroke patients 10.1% 11.9%
COPD patients 5.3% 8.6%
Coronary bypass (CABG) surgery patients 1.5% 2.4%
Hospital-wide, all conditions 1.8% 3.9%

Risk-adjusted rates. CMS has not published a statistical better/worse comparison for these death rates in the current release, so small differences from the U.S. rate may be chance.

Other complications

Bleeding or blood clot under the skin after surgery1.51 per 1,000 patients · U.S. 2.34
Better than national
Respiratory failure after surgery7.3 per 1,000 patients · U.S. 9.42
Better than national
All 12 complication measures
MeasureThis hospitalU.S.CMS comparison
Complications after hip or knee replacement% of patients 5.4 4.1 Not compared
Deaths among surgical patients with serious treatable complicationsper 1,000 patients 190.21 173.3 Same as national
Pressure ulcers (bed sores)per 1,000 patients 0.52 0.63 Same as national
Falls in the hospital that caused a broken boneper 1,000 patients 0.25 0.27 Same as national
Collapsed lung caused by a medical procedureper 1,000 patients 0.24 0.21 Same as national
Bleeding or blood clot under the skin after surgeryper 1,000 patients 1.51 2.34 Better than national
Kidney injury needing dialysis after surgeryper 1,000 patients 1.34 1.67 Same as national
Respiratory failure after surgeryper 1,000 patients 7.3 9.42 Better than national
Blood clots in the lungs or legs after surgeryper 1,000 patients 4.43 3.52 Same as national
Bloodstream infection (sepsis) after surgeryper 1,000 patients 4.13 5.27 Same as national
Surgical wound splitting openper 1,000 patients 1.47 1.77 Same as national
Accidental cuts or tears during abdominal surgeryper 1,000 patients 0.51 1.06 Same as national

"Better" or "worse" means CMS found the difference from the national benchmark statistically significant; most hospitals are "no different". Infection results compare the infections a hospital reported with the number predicted for a hospital of its size and type (a ratio below 1 means fewer than predicted), for Oct 2024 – Sep 2025. Death and complication rates are risk-adjusted for how sick patients were. Each death rate counts deaths within 30 days of a hospital stay, pooled over one to three years of Medicare patients depending on the measure. About the data.

Readmissions and return visits

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · Medicare patients · Jul 2023 – Jun 2025

Of the 4 readmission and return-visit measures CMS could compare, Massachusetts General Hospital was better on 3 and worse on 0 (than the national rate, or than expected for its patients).

Back in the hospital within 30 days

After a stay forThis hospitalU.S.CMS comparison
Heart attack 13.5% 14.4% Not compared
Heart failure 19.7% 21.3% Not compared
Pneumonia 16.9% 17.3% Not compared
COPD (chronic lung disease) 19.2% 20% Not compared
Heart bypass surgery (CABG) 8.8% 11% Not compared
Hip or knee replacement 5.9% 5.8% Not compared

Return trips after a stay or procedure

Extra days back in hospital after heart attackDays spent back in the ER, under observation or readmitted within 30 days, per 100 discharges, compared with what was expected.
Not compared +21.5 days per 100 discharges vs expected · U.S. +4.2
Extra days back in hospital after heart failureDays spent back in the ER, under observation or readmitted within 30 days, per 100 discharges, compared with what was expected.
Not compared +12.7 days per 100 discharges vs expected · U.S. +1.3
Extra days back in hospital after pneumoniaDays spent back in the ER, under observation or readmitted within 30 days, per 100 discharges, compared with what was expected.
Not compared +23.1 days per 100 discharges vs expected · U.S. +3.9
Hospital visits within 7 days of an outpatient colonoscopyUnplanned hospital visits per 1,000 colonoscopies.
Better than national 10.1 per 1,000 procedures · U.S. 13
Chemotherapy patients admitted to hospitalInpatient admissions within 30 days of outpatient chemotherapy, per 100 patients.
Same as national 10.6 per 100 patients · U.S. 10.7
Chemotherapy patients visiting the ERER visits within 30 days of outpatient chemotherapy, per 100 patients.
Better than national 3.8 per 100 patients · U.S. 5.4
Hospital visits after outpatient surgeryUnplanned visits within 7 days of same-day surgery, as a ratio to the number expected (1.00 = expected).
Better than expected 0.70 1.00 = expected · U.S. 1.00

Medicare's readmission program

Excess readmission ratio: this hospital's predicted readmissions divided by the number expected for a typical hospital with the same patients. Above 1.00 means more readmissions than expected.

ConditionRatioPatientsReadmissions
COPD 0.995 371 Fewer than expected
Heart attack 0.988 600 Fewer than expected
Heart failure 0.915 1,758 Fewer than expected
Pneumonia 0.913 1,186 Fewer than expected
Hip or knee replacement 0.902 – Fewer than expected
Heart bypass surgery 0.786 354 Fewer than expected

Readmission rates count Medicare patients who were admitted to any acute-care hospital within 30 days of leaving this one, adjusted for how sick they were. "Better" or "worse" means CMS found the difference from the national rate statistically significant; most hospitals are "no different". Return-day and outpatient-surgery measures compare the hospital with what CMS expected for its own patients. The Readmissions Reduction Program ratios are shown as CMS publishes them; whether a hospital's payments are reduced depends on how its ratios compare with similar hospitals, so a ratio above 1.00 alone doesn't mean a penalty. About the data.

Timely and effective care

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · all patients unless noted · Oct 2024 – Sep 2025

Massachusetts General Hospital's emergency department is classed by CMS as very high volume.

MeasureThis hospitalU.S.*
Sepsis: got all recommended early treatmentPatients with severe sepsis or septic shock who received every step of the recommended early care bundle. Higher is better. 130 patients. 49% 65%
Septic shock: full treatment within 3 hoursHigher is better. 54 patients. 61% 73%
Stroke: brain scan read within 45 minutes of ER arrivalPatients arriving with stroke symptoms whose head CT or MRI was interpreted within 45 minutes. Higher is better. 11 patients. 27% 69%
Heart attack (STEMI): timely clot-busting or artery-opening careHigher is better. 48 patients. 0% 53%*
Typical time in the ER before going homeMedian minutes from arrival to leaving, for ER patients sent home (not counting mental health patients or transfers). Lower is better. 353 patients. 288 min 162 min
Typical ER time for mental health patients sent homeMedian minutes from arrival to leaving. Lower is better. 38 patients. 78 min 257 min
Patients who left the ER before being seenLower is better. 119,116 patients. 4% 2%
Health care workers vaccinated against fluHigher is better. 35,546 patients. 97% 78%
Discharged on two opioids, or an opioid and a benzodiazepinePatients sent home with prescriptions that raise the risk of overdose when combined. Lower is better. 12,254 patients. 21% 15%
Colonoscopy: right follow-up interval for average-risk patientsHigher is better. 120 patients. 91% 93%
Blood clot prevention givenHigher is better. 25,433 patients. 87% 90%*
Stroke: discharged on clot-prevention medicineHigher is better. 544 patients. 99% 98%*
Stroke: clot prevention started by day 2Higher is better. 504 patients. 96% 94%*

CMS publishes these process-of-care measures without a better/worse verdict, so the U.S. figure is shown for context; small differences, or results based on few patients, may not mean much. *Median of all hospitals CMS reports, where CMS publishes no national figure. About the data.

Maternity care

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · reported by the hospital · Jan 2024 – Dec 2024

Maternity safety practices (CMS SM-7)Whether the hospital reports taking part in a state or national perinatal quality program and following its patient-safety practices.
Yes

Maternity measures are reported by hospitals that deliver babies. The U.S. figure is the median of the hospitals CMS reports, not a CMS verdict. About the data.

Medicare spending and payment programs

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Hospital-acquired conditions · FY 2026
No penalty
Not in the worst-performing quarter on infections and patient-safety problems. 719 of 3,012 hospitals were penalized.
Value-based purchasing · FY 2026
46.8 / 100
Total performance score; the median hospital scored 29.5. Medicare raises or lowers each hospital's payments based on this score.
Medicare spending per patient
0.98
2% less than the national median per hospital stay (about $26,868 vs $27,417), counting Medicare spending from 3 days before admission to 30 days after discharge.

Value-based purchasing scores by area

AreaScore (out of 100)
Clinical outcomesDeath rates and complications78.3
Patient experiencePatient survey results69
SafetyHospital-acquired infections30
Efficiency and costMedicare spending per patient10

The Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program cuts Medicare payments by 1% for the quarter of hospitals with the worst scores. The Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program withholds a small share of every hospital's Medicare payments and pays it back according to the total performance score. A spending ratio of 1.00 equals the national median; spending reflects prices, the services patients received and care after discharge, not quality. Some hospitals, such as critical access, children's and cancer hospitals, are not part of these programs. About the data.

Care after a stay at Massachusetts General Hospital

Medicare-certified providers near this hospital, with their CMS ratings. A hospital discharge planner can make the referral.

Skilled nursing facilities nearby

Skilled nursing ratings and inspections at Nursing Homes In Each State

Dialysis centers nearby See more

Home health agencies nearby See more

Hospice care providers nearby See more

Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.

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Inpatient psychiatric unit

In a mental health crisis? Free, 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Emergency? Call 911.

CMS Inpatient psychiatric care Quality Reporting Program, data through March 2025 · unit CCN 220071

Massachusetts General Hospital runs an inpatient psychiatric unit that reports its own results to Medicare. Follow-up within 7 days: 66% here, against 37% nationally. Where CMS compares facilities statistically, this one is no different from the national rate.

After discharge

Follow-up within 7 days Patients who had a follow-up visit with a mental health provider within 7 days of leaving the hospital. Based on 47 patients. Jul 2023 – Jun 2024.
66% U.S. 37% · top 10% 53%
Follow-up within 30 days Patients who had a follow-up visit with a mental health provider within 30 days of leaving. Based on 47 patients. Jul 2023 – Jun 2024.
87% U.S. 60% · top 10% 77%
Readmitted within 30 days Patients readmitted to any hospital within 30 days of discharge (risk-adjusted). CMS compares each facility with the national rate. Based on 105 patients. Jul 2022 – Jun 2024.
19% U.S. 19% Same as national
Discharge record sent Patients whose discharge record, with the required details, was sent with them or to their next provider. Based on 436 patients. Jan 2024 – Dec 2024.
77% U.S. 63% · top 10% 99%

During the stay

Physical restraint use Hours patients spent in physical restraints for every 1,000 hours of inpatient care. Lower is better. Jan 2024 – Dec 2024.
1.91 U.S. 0.29
Seclusion use Hours patients spent in seclusion for every 1,000 hours of inpatient care. Lower is better. Jan 2024 – Dec 2024.
0.39 U.S. 0.36
Screened for metabolic disorders Patients on antipsychotic medication who were screened for metabolic problems such as diabetes and high cholesterol. Based on 244 patients. Jan 2024 – Dec 2024.
91% U.S. 82% · top 10% 100%
Alcohol use help offered Patients with risky alcohol use who were given or offered a brief intervention. Based on 80 patients. Jan 2024 – Dec 2024.
91% U.S. 60% · top 10% 100%
Addiction treatment offered at discharge Patients with an alcohol or drug use disorder who were given or offered treatment when they left. Based on 117 patients. Jan 2024 – Dec 2024.
94% U.S. 72% · top 10% 100%
Tobacco treatment offered at discharge Tobacco users who were given or offered help to quit when they left. Based on 93 patients. Jan 2024 – Dec 2024.
91% U.S. 58% · top 10% 98%
Flu vaccination checked Patients assessed for and, where appropriate, given a flu vaccine. Based on 188 patients. Oct 2024 – Mar 2025.
98% U.S. 76% · top 10% 99%

Source: CMS Inpatient psychiatric care Quality Reporting Program (Provider Data Catalog). Better/worse labels appear only where CMS itself compared the facility with the national rate; other figures are shown next to the national figure for context. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.

Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital

3,420 Medicare-enrolled doctors and other clinicians list this hospital as an affiliation, across 39 specialties.

See all 3,420 clinicians

Find doctors in Boston

Medicare-enrolled specialists with a practice in Boston, with addresses, phone numbers and the hospitals they work with.

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What Medicare paid at Massachusetts General Hospital

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · original Medicare patients · 2024

Average hospital charges and actual payments for the procedures Medicare patients most often had here, compared with the average for Massachusetts.

Hospital stays

Outpatient services

ServiceServicesAvg billedAvg allowed
Comprehensive Observation ServicesAPC 8011 2,507 $19,776 $2,927
Level 2 Excision/Biopsy/Incision and DrainageAPC 5072 1,339 $8,054 $1,725
Level 2 Upper GI ProceduresAPC 5302 846 $8,210 $2,028
Level 3 Electrophysiologic ProceduresAPC 5213 760 $108,829 $25,280
Level 4 Musculoskeletal ProceduresAPC 5114 650 $43,344 $7,608

Charges are the hospital's list prices; payments are what Medicare, the patient and any other insurer actually paid (for outpatient services, Medicare's allowed amount). Private insurance prices differ. "vs state" compares this hospital's average payment with the state average for the same stay. All procedure costs.

Size and finances

Medicare cost report · fiscal year ending Sep 2024

Beds
997
Reported to Medicare, FY2024
Discharges
46,158
Inpatient stays a year
Patient revenue
$4.1 billion
Net of discounts
Charity care
$44.4 million
0.7% of expenses
Bad debt
$69.9 million
Unpaid patient bills

As reported by the hospital to CMS; not audited. Operating margin is income from patient care divided by net patient revenue and leaves out investment income and donations. Compare Massachusetts hospital finances.

Who owns Massachusetts General Hospital

Medicare enrollment and ownership records (PECOS)

Medicare lists the hospital's legal name as The General Hospital Corporation, a non-profit organization, incorporated 1979.

5,727 doctors and other clinicians list Massachusetts General Hospital as a hospital affiliation in Medicare's clinician directory.

Organizations with 5% or more ownership (directly or through other companies), partnership interests or operational control, as the hospital reported them to Medicare. Records can lag behind recent sales. Individuals are not listed. Who owns America's hospitals.

The area around Massachusetts General Hospital

HRSA shortage designations and BLS pay data

Primary care: Parts of Suffolk are federally designated health professional shortage areas (2 designations). Highest shortage score 17.

Mental health: Parts of Suffolk are federally designated health professional shortage areas (1 designation). Highest shortage score 18.

Dental: Parts of Suffolk are federally designated health professional shortage areas (6 designations). Highest shortage score 15.

Nurse pay: registered nurses in Massachusetts earn a median $104,550 a year. Healthcare salaries in Massachusetts.

Shortage areas are designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration where there are too few primary care, mental health or dental providers for the population; scores run from 0 to 25 for primary and mental health care and 0 to 26 for dental care, higher meaning greater need. Massachusetts shortage areas

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Cite this data

Writing about Massachusetts General Hospital? You're welcome to quote these figures. They are free to use under CC BY 4.0: please credit HospitalsInEachState.com and link to this page.

Figures as of the July 2026 CMS release Updated automatically when CMS publishes new data Permanent link: hospitalsineachstate.com/hospitals/massachusetts/boston/massachusetts-general-hospital/55-fruit-st/

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