# Metrowest Medical Center Hospital in Framingham, MA. Verified from the hospital's own policy and the state program, Health Safety Net. Metrowest Medical Center likely gives free care to households with a yearly income up to $23,940 for 1 person, $32,460 for 2, $40,980 for 3, $49,500 for 4, $58,020 for 5 or $66,540 for 6. It likely gives a discount to households with a yearly income up to $47,880 for 1 person, $64,920 for 2, $81,960 for 3, $99,000 for 4, $116,040 for 5 or $133,080 for 6. The hospital makes the final decision. | Household size | Free care if yearly income is up to | Discount if yearly income is up to | |---|---|---| | 1 | $23,940 | $47,880 | | 2 | $32,460 | $64,920 | | 3 | $40,980 | $81,960 | | 4 | $49,500 | $99,000 | | 5 | $58,020 | $116,040 | | 6 | $66,540 | $133,080 | Dollar amounts use the 2026 federal poverty guidelines. ## How to apply - Call (800) 374-4637 and ask for financial assistance. - [MetroWest Medical Center Financial Assistance Programs (web page; full policy not found)](https://www.mwmc.com/patients/financial-assistance-programs) - We do not have the deadline yet. Apply as soon as you get a bill, and ask the billing office to pause collections while you apply. ## If you have insurance If you have insurance, ask whether this policy helps with deductibles and copays. Keep your insurance. Financial assistance covers bills from this one place only. ## State program in Massachusetts ### Apply for MassHealth first Apply for MassHealth first. In Massachusetts one application (ACA-1) checks you for MassHealth, Health Connector plans and the Health Safety Net together. Hospital financial counselors help with it for free, and most hospital financial assistance policies require you to apply before the hospital will review its own discounts. MassHealth phone is (800) 841-2900. > Applications and qualifications are available on line here: Member Booklet for Health and Dental Coverage and Help Paying Costs (ACA-1). Source https://www.mass.gov/info-details/health-safety-net-for-patients, checked 2026-11-10 ### Health Safety Net The Health Safety Net (HSN) pays for some care at Massachusetts acute care hospitals and community health centers for low-income Massachusetts residents who are uninsured or underinsured. It is not insurance. With family income up to 150% of the poverty level there is no deductible. From above 150% up to 300% there may be a yearly deductible based on income. It can pay after other insurance, including private plans, Medicare and some MassHealth programs. You apply with the same application used for MassHealth, so MassHealth is checked first. There is no member card. You must renew every year. HSN pays the hospital's own charges. Doctors who bill separately, and labs or x-rays run by private companies, may not be covered. HSN Medical Hardship can help residents at any income when medical bills are a large share of income. Income levels in the program are free up to 150%, discount up to 300% of poverty level. Applies to acute care hospitals and community health centers. Residency. Massachusetts resident How to apply. Fill out the MassHealth application (ACA-1), online through the Health Connector, on paper, or with a hospital or health center financial counselor. The same application decides MassHealth, Health Connector plans and HSN. Bring proof of identity. Medical Hardship needs a separate application that a hospital or health center counselor submits for you. Program phone (800) 841-2900 > Massachusetts residents with income between 0-150% of the FPL may be eligible for the Health Safety Net. Source https://www.mass.gov/info-details/health-safety-net-for-patients, checked 2026-11-10 ### Health Safety Net Medical Hardship A Massachusetts resident at any income can get help through HSN Medical Hardship when allowable medical bills are larger than a set share of countable income. The share is 10% of income up to 205% of the poverty level, 15% from 205.1% to 305%, 20% from 305.1% to 405%, 30% from 405.1% to 605%, and 40% above 605.1%. You pay that share. A hospital or health center financial counselor files the application with itemized bills, proof of income, proof of Massachusetts residency and proof of identity. Applies to acute care hospitals and community health centers. How to apply. Ask a hospital or community health center financial counselor to submit a Medical Hardship application. > Income Level Percentage of Countable Income 0 - 205% FPL 10% 205.1 - 305% FPL 15% 305.1 - 405% 20% Source https://www.mass.gov/doc/emergency-adoption-date-filed-october-9-2026-1/download, checked 2026-11-10 ## Notes MetroWest is owned by Tenet, a for-profit company. Its web page describes a Charity Care Program for patients who do not qualify for other programs, with household income below 200% of the poverty level, but does not say how much is discounted. No full financial assistance policy, application or plain language summary was found on mwmc.com. The page appears to be a company template (it lists Medi-Cal and County Indigent programs, which are California programs). (800) 374-4637 is Tenet's Eligibility and Enrollment Services line, not an on-site counselor. Patient Accounts is (833) 784-5421. The Health Safety Net list (October 2025) includes both Framingham Union and Leonard Morse (Natick) campuses. Massachusetts residents up to 300% of the poverty level should also apply for the Health Safety Net through the MassHealth application; HSN is free up to 150% and has a yearly deductible from 150.1% to 300%. ## Sources - Discount level https://www.mwmc.com/patients/financial-assistance-programs > You may qualify if your household income is below 200% of the federal poverty limit. - Financial counseling phone https://www.mwmc.com/patients/financial-assistance-programs > Please contact EES at (800) 374-4637 for additional information. - Uninsured discount https://www.mwmc.com/patients/financial-assistance-programs > All Uninsured Patients are eligible for discounts. The discount is similar to rates paid by commercial insurance payors - Hsn list https://www.mass.gov/doc/hsn-acute-care-hospital-locations/download > Framingham MetroWest Medical Center - Framingham Union Hospital 115 Lincoln Street 01701 Last checked 2026-11-10. HTML page https://hospitalaid.org/hospitals/metrowest-medical-center-framingham-ma/ Report an error corrections@hospitalaid.org