Froedtert & MCW Financial Assistance: Free Care to 250% FPL (2026 Guide)
Froedtert Health and the Medical College of Wisconsin operate one of the largest academic medical centers in Wisconsin. They offer 100% free care for patients with household income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and sliding-scale discounts of 65% to 90% for patients between 250% and 400% FPL. A family of 4 earning up to $82,800 per year qualifies for a complete write-off. The policy covers 3 hospitals in the Milwaukee metro area, plus affiliated clinics and surgery centers. Your out-of-pocket cost after the discount is also capped at 15% of your annual gross income.
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Quick Facts
100% Free Care (0-250% FPL)
Full write-off for patients with household income at or below 250% FPL. Emergency and medically necessary care only.
Sliding Scale Discounts (251-400% FPL)
65% to 90% discount on a sliding scale. A family of 4 earning up to $132,480/year qualifies for some level of discount.
15% Income Cap on Out-of-Pocket
Even after the discount, your remaining balance is capped at 15% of your annual gross income per account. This is a rare and valuable protection.
240-Day Application Window
You have 240 days from your first post-discharge billing statement. The clock starts from your first bill, not your date of service.
Active Collection and Lawsuit History
Froedtert filed collection lawsuits during the COVID-19 pandemic and placed 362 hospital liens in 2020 alone. Unlike some systems that have suspended lawsuits, Froedtert has not publicly committed to stopping collections. Apply for financial assistance immediately to protect yourself.
Eligibility Calculator (2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines)
100% Free Care: Household income at or below $39,900/year (250% FPL for household of 1).
Sliding-Scale Discount (65-90%): Household income between $39,900 and $63,840/year (251-400% FPL).
100% FPL for household of 1 = $15,960 | 250% = $39,900 | 400% = $63,840
| Household Size | 250% FPL (Free Care) | 400% FPL (Max for Discount) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $39,900/yr | $63,840/yr |
| 2 people | $54,100/yr | $86,560/yr |
| 3 people | $68,300/yr | $109,280/yr |
| 4 people | $82,500/yr | $132,000/yr |
| 5 people | $96,700/yr | $154,720/yr |
| 6 people | $110,900/yr | $177,440/yr |
| 7 people | $125,100/yr | $200,160/yr |
| 8 people | $139,300/yr | $222,880/yr |
Sliding Scale Breakdown
| Income Level (% FPL) | Discount |
|---|---|
| 0-250% FPL | 100% (Free Care) |
| 251-300% FPL | 90% Discount |
| 301-350% FPL | 80% Discount |
| 351-400% FPL | 65% Discount |
Additional Requirements
- Out-of-pocket cap: After the discount, your remaining balance cannot exceed 15% of your annual gross income per account.
- Eligibility period: Initial eligibility lasts 6 months. You must re-apply every 6 months to continue receiving assistance.
- Medically necessary care only: Covers emergency and medically necessary services. Elective procedures are generally excluded.
- Uninsured auto-screening: If you are uninsured, Froedtert may use external data sources to determine your eligibility without requiring a written application.
- Apply within 240 days of your first post-discharge billing statement.
- 10-day return requirement: Once you receive the application, you must return it within 10 days or risk denial.
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Get Help with Your BillCovered Facilities
Froedtert Health Hospitals (3)
Additional Covered Facilities
The financial assistance policy applies to facilities owned by Froedtert Health or a Froedtert Health affiliate as listed in the policy appendix. Contact Froedtert at (414) 805-5951 to confirm coverage for your specific facility. Note: Froedtert South (Kenosha/Racine) is a separate entity with its own policy.
Documents You Will Need
Required Documents
- Proof of household income (pay stubs, benefit letters, Social Security statements)
- Most recent federal tax return
- Proof of household size
- Documentation of assets (bank statements, investment accounts)
- Government-issued photo ID
Special Circumstances
- Uninsured patients: Froedtert may determine eligibility using external data sources without requiring a written application
- Presumptive eligibility: Patients who are homeless, deceased, enrolled in certain public programs, or in bankruptcy may qualify automatically
- Medicaid/BadgerCare screening: Froedtert may require you to apply for public programs first
Critical: You must return the completed application and all supporting documents within 10 days of receiving the application packet. Failure to meet this 10-day deadline may result in automatic denial. Request the application early and have your documents ready before it arrives.
How to Apply (Step by Step)
Check Your Eligibility
You qualify for 100% free care if your household income is at or below 250% FPL. For a single person, that is approximately $39,900/year. For a family of 4, approximately $82,800/year. Sliding-scale discounts (65-90%) are available between 251% and 400% FPL.
Contact Financial Counseling
Call (414) 805-5951 or toll-free (800) 466-9670. Financial counselors are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They will send you an application and can screen you for Wisconsin Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus eligibility.
Gather Your Documents Before the Application Arrives
Because you only have 10 days to return the completed application, gather your income proof, tax returns, and asset documentation before requesting the application. This is the most common reason applicants miss their deadline.
Submit Your Application
You can submit by:
- Mail: Financial Assistance Team, 400 Woodland Prime Suite 103, N74 W12501 Leatherwood Ct, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051-4490
- Fax: (414) 777-1503
- Phone: (414) 805-5951 or toll-free (800) 466-9670
- In person: Financial counselors available at hospital locations
Follow Up and Re-Apply Every 6 Months
Call (414) 805-5951 to confirm receipt. Your initial eligibility lasts only 6 months. If you have ongoing treatment, you must re-apply at the end of each 6-month period to maintain coverage. Set a calendar reminder.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Missing the 10-day return window: Once you receive the application, you must return it with documents within 10 days. Gather everything beforehand.
- Confusing the 240-day deadline: The 240 days start from your first post-discharge billing statement, not your date of service or discharge date.
- Forgetting to re-apply: Eligibility expires every 6 months. If you have ongoing bills, mark your calendar to re-apply before the period ends.
- Not asking about presumptive eligibility: If you are homeless, enrolled in WIC, SNAP, or similar programs, you may qualify automatically without a full application.
- Ignoring the out-of-pocket cap: Even if you only qualify for a partial discount, your remaining bill cannot exceed 15% of your annual income. Ask about this if your post-discount bill seems too high.
Important Notes: Collection History and Wisconsin Protections
Froedtert Collection and Lawsuit History
- Froedtert filed 46 medical debt lawsuits after March 12, 2020 (during the pandemic).
- Froedtert filed 362 hospital liens in 2020, exceeding the 300 liens filed in all of 2019.
- 251 of those liens were filed after May 2020, well into the pandemic.
- Froedtert dismissed some lawsuits after investigative reporting but has not permanently committed to stopping collections.
- Hospital liens attach to personal injury settlements, meaning Froedtert can claim part of any settlement you receive.
Wisconsin Legal Protections
- 20-year statute of limitations on judgments: Wisconsin allows hospitals to enforce judgments for up to 20 years (one of the longest in the country).
- $75,000 homestead exemption: Wisconsin protects up to $75,000 in home equity from creditors, which is moderate but not generous.
- Wage garnishment: Wisconsin allows garnishment of up to 20% of disposable earnings for medical debt judgments.
- Hospital lien law: Wisconsin hospitals can file a lien against any personal injury claim you have, taking priority over other creditors.
- Apply for financial assistance before any legal action: Your best protection is getting approved for financial assistance before Froedtert initiates collection or files a lien.
Why This Matters
Froedtert has demonstrated a willingness to pursue collections aggressively, including during a public health emergency. Wisconsin's 20-year judgment period means a hospital debt can follow you for decades. The 15% income cap on out-of-pocket costs and the sliding-scale discounts are valuable protections, but only if you apply. Do not wait for a lien or lawsuit. Apply within the 240-day window.
Collections Policy
History of Aggressive Collections (Now Reformed)
Froedtert's billing policy explicitly permits lawsuits, wage garnishment, liens, credit reporting, and debt sales as ECAs. Historical record:
- 2,553 lawsuits in 2018 filed in small claims court
- 482 lawsuits during the pandemic (2020), including 46 after the governor declared a state of emergency. Ceased filing March 18, 2020.
- Wage garnishment confirmed: Milwaukee County court awarded ~$5,300 judgment collected via garnishment (2019)
- 362 hospital liens filed in 2020 on accident/injury patients (exceeding 300 liens in all of 2019), even after stopping lawsuits
- Zero lawsuits filed in 2024 per the Debt Collection Lab
Recent Reforms (2024)
Starting January 2024, Froedtert implemented an automated screening system to proactively identify and enroll eligible patients in charity care without requiring a written application. External data sources may be used for presumptive eligibility.
Federal 501(r) Timelines
- 120 days: No ECAs before 120 days from first billing statement
- 240 days: You can apply for financial assistance up to 240 days after the first bill
- 250% FPL: 100% write-off; up to 400% FPL capped at 15% of annual income
Already in collections? Read our full 7-step collections playbook for strategies to resolve medical debt, dispute errors, and negotiate settlements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Froedtert Health financial assistance?
Patients with household income at or below 250% FPL qualify for 100% free care. Patients between 251% and 400% FPL qualify for sliding-scale discounts (90% at 251-300% FPL, 80% at 301-350% FPL, and 65% at 351-400% FPL). For a single person, free care covers income up to approximately $39,900/year. For a family of 4, approximately $82,800/year.
What is the 15% income cap?
After your financial assistance discount is applied, your remaining out-of-pocket balance cannot exceed 15% of your annual gross income per account. This means even if you only qualify for a 65% discount, you may end up paying far less than the remaining 35% if that amount would exceed 15% of your income. Always ask about this cap.
Can I qualify without submitting an application?
Yes, in some cases. Froedtert may use external data sources to determine eligibility for uninsured patients without a written application. Additionally, patients who are homeless, deceased, enrolled in certain means-tested programs (like SNAP, WIC, or SSI), or in bankruptcy may qualify through presumptive eligibility. Ask the financial counselor about this option.
Does Froedtert sue patients for medical debt?
Yes. Froedtert filed 46 collection lawsuits during the pandemic and placed 362 hospital liens in 2020. They dismissed some lawsuits after media scrutiny but have not committed to permanently stopping collections. They also actively file hospital liens against personal injury cases. Apply for financial assistance as early as possible.
Why do I only have 10 days to return the application?
Froedtert's policy requires completed applications within 10 days of receiving the packet. This is unusually short compared to other health systems. The best strategy is to gather all your documents before requesting the application so you can complete and return it immediately.
What happens after 6 months?
Your financial assistance eligibility expires after 6 months. If you have ongoing treatment or new bills within the Froedtert system, you must submit a new application before your eligibility period ends. There is no automatic renewal.
Is Froedtert South covered by the same policy?
No. Froedtert South (located in Kenosha and Racine counties) is a separate legal entity with its own financial assistance policy. Froedtert South offers free care at 250% FPL and discounts up to 400% FPL as well, but you must apply through their separate process. Contact Froedtert South at (855) 241-9952 for their specific application.
Contact Information
Financial Assistance Phone
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Mail and Fax
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Start Your Free Case ReviewThis guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Information is based on publicly available Froedtert Health financial assistance policies as of 2026. Eligibility requirements, income thresholds, and application processes may change. Froedtert Health has demonstrated a history of pursuing collections and filing hospital liens. Always verify current requirements directly with Froedtert Health at (414) 805-5951 or visit froedtert.com/financial-services.