Community health clinics may provide free or low-cost medical care to people who cannot afford private treatment or who lack health insurance. These clinics are typically operated by nonprofit organizations, community health centers, or volunteer medical providers, and some private practices donate care as well. The goal is to help the underserved get some form of medical care. This page is a guide to how free or low-cost community clinics work and provides links to state-level listings to help locate care.

Services and the type of care vary by location but often include primary medical care, behavioral health support, preventive services for a wide range of needs, and referrals to specialists if needed. Many clinics use a sliding-fee scale when charging patients, with the amount due based on household income. Some services at a health clinic may be offered at no cost depending on the patient's qualifications.

NOTE: Medical and health-related information on this page is provided for informational purposes only. It is intended to help users locate legitimate programs and providers. Medical and Health Information on NeedHelpPayingBills.com for details.

Find local health care clinics in your area

While this page gives details on how community health care clinics work and the types of medical services that may be offered, many clinics operate in local cities and counties. The hours, criteria for receiving care, income limits and other guidelines vary by location and center, but people can get help. To find centers by city, county, or state, including contact details and application information, use the health care clinic directory with local listings.

Types of free and income-based medical care from community clinics

Free and low-cost medical clinics often participate in federally supported programs such as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) or Rural Health Clinics (RHC), which receive funding from the government to serve underserved populations. This means that people with no health insurance or income, or who are even homeless, may be able to get the medical care they need from a community clinic. Other health care centers are operated by nonprofits or volunteer-driven organizations.

The specific types of medical services offered by community clinics vary by location as well as staffing levels. Common services include primary care visits, preventive screenings, chronic disease management, behavioral health counseling, and limited urgent care at some locations. Some clinics also provide more specialty-type care including vision care, basic laboratory testing, and referrals for specialty treatment.

Clinics may employ full-time physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, behavioral health specialists, optometrists, and other licensed professionals. Some of the centers also rely on volunteer providers to offer more robust services. Each clinic sets its own policies. Some provide walk-in services or even urgent care, while others require appointments. When care is not available on site due to demand or lack of resources, clinics often provide referrals to other low-cost or charitable medical providers.

How sliding-fee and free health care works

Most community clinics use a sliding-fee scale based on household income and family size, whether or not the patient has insurance. This in effect means that patients are charged only what they can reasonably afford for the care they receive. Patients with very low or no income may receive care at no cost.

While health insurance is not required, community clinics may accept Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance or Affordable Care Act plans. Note that uninsured patients are still eligible for services. Coverage and pricing vary by clinic, and proof of income may be requested to determine fees.

Applying for medical care at a community health clinic

Each clinic has its own intake process, hours and types of services offered. Patients should ask what services are available, whether care is free or income-based, what documentation is required, and whether appointments are needed. What is offered at one clinic may differ significantly from another center. Not all clinics offer emergency services.

In addition to offering direct help, clinics often provide referrals to additional free or low-cost medical resources for people who do not qualify at a given center or who need services it does not offer. Staff at a community health care center often partner with nonprofit organizations, pharmaceutical assistance programs, social service offices such as public health care programs, and specialty care providers.

Medical services often offered in partnership with health care clinics

Since the goal is to help patients get the support they need, community clinics frequently work with other organizations to help patients access additional care. This can include national or more regional or localized programs as listed below, with links to more details.

Dental care is sometimes available at health clinics, and if so this will also be income-based or offered at no cost. If not offered at a center, many patients are referred to separate free or sliding-fee dental clinics that provide help, including cleanings, extractions, and basic restorative care.

Vision care may be available through community clinics. Some centers have optometrists on site, while others partner with nonprofit eyeglass programs that provide exams and prescription glasses, particularly for children. Access to eyecare assistance programs is often a challenge for uninsured or low-income households.

Prescription assistance programs, either directly offered by a clinic or through referrals, help eligible patients obtain free or low-cost medications. These free prescription medications programs are often run by pharmaceutical companies, nonprofits, or government agencies and work in coordination with community health care centers. See the full guide to free or low-cost medications.

Additional healthcare resources may also be available at a clinic or a partner. Options may include government-funded programs that operate at the state level, United Way-supported services, and nonprofit agencies that assist uninsured or underinsured patients. While community clinics try to help the underserved, other options do exist. Learn about agencies and programs available for free health care that can often be combined with clinical services.

Free and low-cost medical clinics often participate in federally supported programs such as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) or Rural Health Clinics (RHC), which receive funding from the government to serve underserved populations. This means that people with no health insurance or income, or who are even homeless, may be able to get the medical care they need from a community clinic.

The federal government runs a free search tool that lists every funded health center by ZIP code at https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov. Other health care centers are operated by nonprofits or volunteer-driven organizations, and many of those charity-run clinics appear in the national directory kept by the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics at https://nafcclinics.org.

Some clinics have social workers or patient advocates who help individuals apply for help with either upcoming or past-due medical costs. Options may include financial assistance, charity care, grant money, or payment plans for medical bills. Medical bill assistance may be available for paying hospital bills, deductibles on a health insurance policy, or treatment costs related to serious illness.

Find free or low-cost community clinics by state

Select a state link below to view health care clinics that provide affordable medical care in that state. The type of medical care available, eligibility rules, hours and application processes vary by location. Listings may include charity and nonprofit clinics, federally supported health centers, and volunteer-run programs among other options.