Idaho program
A room near the hospital in Boise
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho offers a place near treatment in Boise for families from outside Ada County.
What it is
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho offers a place near treatment in Boise for families from outside Ada County.
The Idaho House can make Boise treatment easier for families living outside Ada County. It serves parents or legal guardians of patients age 18 or younger. The medical team makes the referral unless the family has already stayed in 2026.
Family and location rules
- The patient must receive Boise-area care, and the family must live outside Ada County. A parent or legal guardian requests the stay.
- A prior stay in an earlier year does not by itself meet the published 2026 self-referral condition.
What you get
- A room near Boise treatment, with a suggested $10 nightly donation.
- A stay is not denied solely because your family cannot donate.
Who can stay
- Each room allows up to four adults. Minors must stay with an adult. Ask the House to confirm sibling space and the full family’s room arrangement.
If you decide to apply
- Ask your medical team about a referral, or ask the House whether your prior 2026 stay permits self-referral.
- Share treatment dates and ask about space for everyone who would stay.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho: 208-336-5478 · Official page ↗
After the room request
- The House confirms room availability and referral requirements. A referral or self-referral is not a reservation.
Good to know
The residence rule is outside Ada County, not a minimum number of miles. A referral does not guarantee a room.
Length of stay
- The House confirms how long your family can stay and what happens if treatment dates change.
Official sources
“Could the house in Boise work for our family, and what costs or limits should we know about? Could you help with the referral if it fits our treatment plans?”
Why I’m asking: I want to know whether we can stay near the hospital during treatment.
More background and detailed requirements
Additional program information and published rules
Who does what
The three parts, side by side. The agency decides; nobody on this page does.
You
Ask your medical team about a referral, or ask the House whether your prior 2026 stay permits self-referral. Share treatment dates and ask about space for everyone who would stay.
Your social worker
The team makes the referral.
The care team
The referral.
- Who decides
- The charity decides, on a referral from the medical team.
- Ask your social worker
- “Could the house in Boise work for our family, and what costs or limits should we know about? Could you help with the referral if it fits our treatment plans?”
How to apply
First step: Ask your medical team about a referral, or ask the House whether your prior 2026 stay permits self-referral. Share treatment dates and ask about space for everyone who would stay.
- Ask your medical team about a referral, or ask the House whether your prior 2026 stay permits self-referral.
- Share treatment dates and ask about space for everyone who would stay.
Official application / program page ↗
Where it starts: Ask your medical team about a referral, or ask the House whether your prior 2026 stay permits self-referral. Share treatment dates and ask about space for everyone who would stay.
What to gather
The diagnosis letter, the child’s insurance card, and the last two pay stubs cover most applications. The official page lists the rest.
How long: The House confirms room availability and referral requirements. A referral or self-referral is not a reservation.
What a yes looks like
A room booked for named nights.
What a no looks like, and the next move
If the house is full, ask the social worker what other lodging help the hospital knows about.
Watch out
- The residence rule is outside Ada County, not a minimum number of miles. A referral does not guarantee a room.
The numbers and the rules
The arcane layer, kept on purpose. Checked September 11, 2026.
What it is worth
A room near Boise treatment, with a suggested $10 nightly donation. A stay is not denied solely because your family cannot donate.
Covers: A room near the hospital during treatment in Boise
Legal protection: Inability to donate does not itself prevent a stay; room availability and family rules still apply.
What it costs the family: Suggested donation of $10 per night; inability to donate does not itself prevent a stay.
The eligibility facts, as published
- Residence
- Reside outside Ada County, Idaho
- Referral
- Medical-team referral is required unless the family already stayed during 2026; a prior stay in an earlier year alone does not establish self-referral.
- Unknowns
- The House confirms availability, sibling space, full-family arrangements and maximum stay. A referral is not a reservation.
- Family
- Parent/legal guardian of a patient age 18 or younger receiving Boise-area care; family resides outside Ada County. Up to 4 adults per room; minors must be with an adult.
Expect friction on: A county rule rather than a distance rule · Referral required for a first stay
The trap: The residence rule is outside Ada County, not a minimum number of miles. A referral does not guarantee a room.
Where I read this
- Request a Room — Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho, read September 10, 2026