Finding Your Way: Health Care

For more information about health issues, see the Health Information Guide.

Hospitals

When someone becomes sick, visiting the doctor can be very expensive. Most hospitals have clinics for treatment of non-emergency problems. The emergency room should be used only for emergencies (life-threatening problems like a heart attack).

MetroWest Medical Center, Framingham Union Campus
115 Lincoln Street, Framingham, MA 01702
Telephone: 508-383-1000 / Clinic: 508-383-1000
Interpreter Hot Line: 508-383-1130 (Spanish, Portuguese and Russian)
Framingham Union Hospital focuses on a wide range of care, including: a 24-hour emergency department, surgical services, maternity services, heart care, cancer treatment, and diagnostic imaging and labs

MetroWest Medical Center, Leonard Morse Campus
67 Union Street, Natick, MA 01760
Telephone: 508-650-7000
Leonard Morse Hospital has a dedicated focus on mental and behavioral health of children, adults, and seniors, including both inpatient and outpatient services.

Free Health Services

Free Care

Health Safety Net

For certain low income uninsured / underinsured individuals, to help pay for health services and hospital facility charges (Note: doctors, lab tests, and x-rays may not be covered.) Toll-free Health Safety Net Customer Service Number: 877-910-2100
hsnhelpdesk@state.ma.us
 

Additional Services

Framingham Board of Health
188 Concord Street, First Floor
Framingham, MA 01702
Telephone: 508-532-5470
Lead Screening, TB testing, blood pressure screening, flu shots. Flu clinics, immunization clinics, and follow-up on communicable diseases. Call for public-health nurse's hours.

SMOC
7 Bishop Street, Framingham, MA 01702
Telephone: 508-872-4853
Helps low- and moderate-income families, individuals, and children obtain state-run health insurance benefits.

MetroWest Free Medical Program, Temple Beth El
105 Hudson Road, Sudbury, MA 01776
Telephone: 508-656-0740
Hours: Tuesdays, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Free medical care on a walk-in basis; counseling and dental care also available. Spanish and Portuguese are spoken.

Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center
354 Waverly Street, Framingham MA
Telephone: 800-853-2288

Health Insurance

All residents of Massachusetts are required to have health insurance; they must report coverage on their income tax forms.

Massachusetts Health Connector

Connect with an insurance provider. For more information, call 1-877-623-6765 or visit the website.
 

MassHealth Enrollment Center

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/masshealth/
For information: 1-800-841-2900
Application for MassHealth
Health Insurance Processing Center
P.O. Box 4405 Taunton, MA 02780
Many families do not qualify for public assistance (DTA benefits) and cannot afford private health insurance. MassHealth provides health-care benefits to low- and middle-income families living in Massachusetts. The Division of Medical Assistance offers these benefits directly or by paying part or all health insurance premiums. You may be eligible if: Your family income is low or medium. You have children under age 19. You are under age 19, whether or not you live with your own family. You are pregnant, with or without other children. You have been out of work for a long time. You are disabled.

Women's and Children's Health Care

Children's Medical Security Plan
Telephone: 1-800-909-2677

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Program) SMOC
7 Bishop Street, Framingham, MA 01702
Telephone: 508-620-1445
WIC provides food vouchers, nutritional information and prenatal education. Must be income eligible, show proof of residence, and provide a picture ID. Program available in numerous towns. Spanish/Portuguese.

Women's Health Network
Toll free number: 1-877-414-4447
Eligible low-income women age 40 to 64 with limited or no health insurance. Under 40 and over 64 if qualified. Free annual pap test, mammogram, and physical exam. Immigration status not considered, social security number not required. Spanish/Portuguese.

Dentists

Reduced Fee Dental Clinics

Going to the dentist can be very expensive in the U.S. The clinics listed below offer dental services at substantially lower costs. Much of the work is done by dental students and dental hygiene students under the supervision of a dentist. Call directly for more information.

Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center
32 Concord Street, Framingham MA
Telephone: 1-800-853-2288
Provides dental care for both insured and uninsured.

Mass Dental Society
2 Willow St., Suite 200, Southborough, MA 01745
Telephone: 800-342-8747
This is a program with "dentistry for all" to help low-income people who have no dental insurance. MassHealth clients are eligible. Dentists charge reduced fees for services and most work is done by dental and hygiene students under supervision of a dentist.

Middlesex Oral Surgery
126 Union St., Marlboro, MA
Telephone: 508-485-3245
Accepts MassHealth (Medicaid)

Quinsigamond Community College
670 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA 01606
Telephone: 508-853-2300

Mental Health

Advocates
1881 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01701
Telephone: 508-628-6300
24-Hour Crisis Support 1 (800) 640-5432
Provides individual, group, and family counseling. In-school intervention, school outreach, advocacy, drug treatment, and court outreach. All ages accepted. Generally low-income families, drug- or court-involved. MassHealth and most major insurance plans are accepted.

Behavioral Health Services, SMOC
7 Bishop Street, Framingham, MA 01702
Telephone: 508-872-4853
Provides psychological evaluation, medication, and counseling. MassHealth accepted.

Jewish Family Services of Metrowest
475 Franklin St., Suite 101, Framingham, MA
Telephone: 508-875-3100
Provides counseling to individuals, couples, and families. Accepts private insurance, Medicaid and sliding scale fees are also available. Non-sectarian.

MetroWest Free Medical Progam
105 Hudson Rd., Sudbury, MA
Telephone: 508-656-0740
Hours: Tuesdays: 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Program is free. Licensed clinicians are available to screen people seeking counseling and to make referrals to community clinicians. Nominal co-pay of $5.00 to $10.00 for visits with clinicians.

Programs for People
98 Lincoln St., Framingham, MA
Telephone: 508-879-3230
Provides services for adults over 18 years of age with psychiatric needs. MassHealth and private insurance accepted.

Voices Against Violence, SMOC
7 Bishop Street, Framingham, MA 01702
Telephone: 1-800-593-1125 (24 Hour HOTLINE)
Provides counseling and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Spanish and Portuguese.

Wayside Counseling Center
88 Lincoln St., Framingham, MA
Telephone: 508-620-0010
Mental Health Services for children up to the age of 18. Sliding fee scale. MassHealth and other insurance accepted.

Wayside Youth and Family Support Network
63 Fountain St., Framingham, MA
Telephone: 508-879-9800
Provides services to adolescents and their families. Victim services, including rape crisis centers, programs for children who witness violence, victims of violent crimes, and victims of domestic violence; family bereavement programs.

 

April 2024