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Free clinics: who can go, what it costs and how to find one

The short answer

A free clinic is a nonprofit clinic, often staffed partly by volunteers, that treats people who have little or no insurance. Care usually costs nothing or a small fee. Each clinic sets its own income and residency rules. Search the NAFC clinic finder (nafcclinics.org) by city or ZIP code, then call to check hours and what to bring.

By Last reviewed Sources

Constantino Lardi, FreedInsure's licensed agent, is licensed in 42 jurisdictions. He owns FreedInsure, the private agency that publishes this guide, and insurers may pay FreedInsure when people enroll with its help.

Your options, cheapest first

A free clinic is one of several low-cost places to get care without insurance. Start at the top. Stop at the first card that fits you.

A free clinic

Who qualifies
Each clinic sets its own rules. Most serve people who have no insurance or not enough of it, and who have a limited income. Some only see people who live in certain states, counties or ZIP codes (NAFC (nafcclinics.org)).
What it costs
Often nothing. Some clinics charge a small fee. Others charge on a sliding scale, which means the price goes down when your income is lower. NAFC says no one is turned away because they can't pay (NAFC (nafcclinics.org)).
How to get it
Search NAFC's Find a Clinic tool (nafcclinics.org) by city and state or ZIP code. Then call the clinic before you go.

Medicaid, if you qualify

Who qualifies
People with a limited income who meet their state's rules. This can include adults, children, families, pregnant women, older adults and people with disabilities (HealthCare.gov).
What it costs
Medicaid and CHIP are free or very low cost for people who qualify. Rules depend on your state, income and household size.
How to get it
Apply through your state Medicaid agency (medicaid.gov) or HealthCare.gov. Applying is free, and you can apply any time of year.

A community health center

Who qualifies
Anyone. Health centers must serve everyone, even people who can't pay (HRSA (bphc.hrsa.gov)).
What it costs
A sliding fee based on your income and household size. In 2026, one person earning up to $15,960 a year gets a full discount, though the center may charge a small set fee. One person earning up to $31,920 gets a partial discount. Above that, you pay the full fee. These amounts are for the lower 48 states and DC. Alaska and Hawaii use higher amounts (HRSA rules (bphc.hrsa.gov); HHS 2026 guidelines (aspe.hhs.gov)).
How to get it
Search HRSA's Find a Health Center tool (findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov) by city, state or ZIP code.

An urgent care center

Who it's for
People with an illness or injury that needs care right away but is not an emergency (HealthCare.gov).
What it costs
The center's own prices. If you don't have insurance, ask for the self-pay price before you are seen.
How to get it
Walk in, or book ahead if the center lets you. If you aren't using insurance and you book at least 3 business days ahead, or you ask for one before you book, the center must give you a written cost estimate, called a good faith estimate. Keep it. CMS says you can't dispute a bill without one (CMS (cms.gov)).

In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Signs include chest pain or pressure, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding and sudden weakness on one side of the body (MedlinePlus (medlineplus.gov)). Hospitals that take Medicare and offer emergency care must check you. If you have an emergency, they must treat you until you are stable or move you to a hospital that can, even if you can't pay (CMS (cms.gov)).

Free clinic vs. health center vs. urgent care

These three places are easy to mix up. They differ in who pays for them, what you pay and whether they take insurance.

Free clinic, community health center and urgent care center compared (rules checked October 2026)
QuestionFree clinicCommunity health centerUrgent care center
What is it for?Basic care for people with little or no insurance. Some also give dental, eye or mental health care, or medicine.Medical, dental, mental health and substance use care, and more.Problems that need care today but are not an emergency, like flu, a sore throat, a sprain or a small cut.
Who pays to run it?Mostly donations, grants and volunteers. Most get little or no government money.Most get federal grants. They also bill insurance and charge patients a sliding fee.You or your insurance.
What do you pay?Often nothing. Some charge a small fee or use a sliding scale.A sliding fee based on income and household size. People with higher incomes pay the full fee.The center's price, or your plan's share. Ask for the self-pay price first.
Does it take Medicaid or insurance?No. These clinics don't bill Medicaid, Medicare or insurance companies.Yes. In 2025, about 17% of health center patients had no insurance. The rest had Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare or other coverage.Ask if it takes your plan before you go.
Can it turn you away?Yes, if you don't meet its rules or it can't take new patients. NAFC says no one is turned away just for being unable to pay.Not because you can't pay. It must serve everyone.Ask how payment works before you are seen.
How do you find one?NAFC's Find a Clinic tool, by city and state or ZIP code.HRSA's Find a Health Center tool, by city, state or ZIP code.Search online, or call 211 to ask about options near you.

Source: HRSA, What is a Health Center?. Verified October 19, 2026.

Free clinic column: NAFC's FAQ and Get Care pages. Health center column: HRSA's health center page, its sliding fee rules and its 2025 health center data. Urgent care column: HealthCare.gov and MedlinePlus. All sources are listed at the end of this page.

Table compiled by FreeHealthInsurance.com (FreedInsure LLC); free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 with credit.

What this means: with no insurance and a low income, a free clinic or a health center is usually the lowest-cost place for regular care. If you have Medicaid or other insurance, a health center is often the better fit, because it bills your coverage (HRSA 2025 data (data.hrsa.gov)). Save urgent care for same-day problems. Save the emergency room for real emergencies. Emergency room care can cost 2 to 3 times as much as the same care at a doctor's office, or more (MedlinePlus (medlineplus.gov)).

What makes a clinic a "free clinic"

A free clinic is a nonprofit. It gives medical, dental, eye, mental health or pharmacy care to people with little or no insurance. Care costs nothing or a small fee. Free clinics don't send bills to Medicaid, Medicare or insurance companies. Most run on donations, grants and volunteers. The National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) counts more than 1,400 free and charitable clinics and charitable pharmacies in the U.S. They are not the same as community health centers, which get federal funds (NAFC FAQ (nafcclinics.org)).

Federal law has its own meaning for the term. It is used for a federal program that covers some free clinic workers if a patient makes a malpractice claim. A clinic in this program must be run by a nonprofit. It can't take payment from any insurance or government health program. It may charge patients only based on what they can afford, and it may accept donations. Before a covered provider treats you, you must get a written notice that explains how the law limits the provider's legal liability (42 U.S.C. 233(o) (law.cornell.edu)).

Only licensed or certified people can be covered. The clinic must sponsor each person, and HRSA must approve them. The clinic must also check each provider's license and training, and check again every 2 years. Clinics apply each year, so not every free clinic is in the program (HRSA FTCA FAQ (bphc.hrsa.gov)). The first free clinic volunteers were approved in 2005 (HRSA (bphc.hrsa.gov)).

Who can use a free clinic

There is no national income limit. Each clinic sets its own. NAFC says patients usually have no insurance or not enough of it. Their incomes are usually between 100% and 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL). The FPL is a yearly income amount the government sets for each household size. Some clinics serve only people in certain states, counties or ZIP codes. Many see children as well as adults, but check first (NAFC (nafcclinics.org)).

Have Medicaid or a health plan? Call before you go. Free clinics mainly serve people without enough coverage, and they don't bill insurance. A community health center bills Medicaid, Medicare and other insurance. In 2025, about 48% of health center patients had Medicaid or CHIP (HRSA (data.hrsa.gov)).

How to use the NAFC clinic finder

This guide doesn't list clinics. NAFC runs a national finder. Here is how to use it.

  1. Open NAFC's Find a Clinic page (nafcclinics.org).
  2. Type your city and state, or your ZIP code, into the search box. Then pick how far you can travel. The choices run from 5 to 200 miles.
  3. Look over the clinics in the list. Write down the phone number and website of the two or three closest ones. The list can include charitable pharmacies too.
  4. Call each clinic before you go. Hours, services and rules differ from place to place. Listings change only when a clinic sends an update to NAFC, so check the details by phone.
  5. Nothing close? Pick a bigger distance and search again. You can also use HRSA's health center finder (findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov) or call 211.

What to bring, what to say and what to expect

What to bring to your first visit

  • A photo ID, if you have one.
  • Any insurance or Medicaid card you have.
  • A list of the medicines you take, or the bottles.
  • Any medical records you have, such as test results or hospital papers.
  • Proof of income and address, if the clinic asks for them. For example, a recent pay stub and a piece of mail with your name and address.
  • A short list of your symptoms and questions.

The first four items are what NAFC suggests you bring (nafcclinics.org). When you call, ask the clinic what else it needs. No photo ID or pay stub? Ask what the clinic will take instead.

What to say when you call a free clinic

"Hi, I don't have health insurance, and I need to see a doctor. Are you taking new patients? Who can be seen at your clinic? Do you have income or ZIP code rules? Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in? Is there a fee or a suggested donation? What should I bring to my first visit? If you are full, is there a waiting list, or another clinic you would suggest?"

What to expect at your first visit

  • Staff may ask about your income, your household, any coverage you have and where you live. Each clinic uses this to check its own rules (NAFC (nafcclinics.org)).
  • The clinic won't bill Medicaid, Medicare or an insurance company. Ask about any fee before you are seen.
  • You may get a form about the provider's legal liability. Clinics in the federal malpractice program described above must give you this notice before care.
  • If you need lab tests, a specialist or medicine, ask how the clinic handles that and what it costs.

What to say at urgent care if you will pay yourself

"I don't have insurance, so I will pay myself. What is your self-pay price for a basic visit? What costs extra, like tests or X-rays? Can you tell me the total before you do anything extra?"

Where to go: answer these in order

  1. Is it an emergency? Call 911 or go to the emergency room. Don't wait to find a clinic.
  2. Do you need care today, but it's not an emergency? Colds, flu, earaches, sore throats, sprains and minor cuts are the kinds of problems urgent care handles (MedlinePlus (medlineplus.gov)). You can also call a free clinic or a health center and ask if they have a same-day visit.
  3. Do you need a regular doctor? For checkups, refills or an illness like diabetes, a free clinic or a health center can be your usual place for care.
  4. Do you need dental, eye or mental health care? HRSA says health centers give a full range of care, with dentists, therapists and eye doctors. Ask which services your nearest site has (HRSA (bphc.hrsa.gov)). Some free clinics offer these too, so ask when you call.

If a free clinic can't help you

  • The clinic is full, or you don't meet its rules. Try a community health center. HRSA funds about 1,400 health centers with more than 16,600 sites. In 2025 they served more than 32.7 million people (HRSA (bphc.hrsa.gov)). They can't turn you away because you can't pay.
  • You need medicine. Many health centers have their own pharmacies with lower drug prices (HRSA (bphc.hrsa.gov)). NAFC's finder also lists charitable pharmacies. These nonprofits give medicine at no charge or for a small fee to people with little or no insurance (NAFC (nafcclinics.org)).
  • You got a hospital bill you can't pay. Nonprofit (tax-exempt) hospitals must have a written financial assistance policy. It says who can get free or discounted care and how to apply (IRS (irs.gov)). Learn how to ask a hospital for charity care.
  • You might qualify for Medicaid. HealthCare.gov says to apply even if you don't think you'll qualify, especially if you have children, are pregnant or have a disability. You can apply any time of year (HealthCare.gov). Start with our plain-English Medicaid guide.
  • You can't find anything nearby. Call 211. It connects you with local help, and every call is confidential (211.org).

For more ways to get care without insurance, see our guide to seeing a doctor without insurance.

Find it near you (official and nonprofit finders)

Common questions

Are free clinics really free?
Many charge nothing. Some charge a small fee, and others use a sliding scale based on income. NAFC says no one is turned away just for being unable to pay. Ask about any fee or suggested donation when you call.
Do I need insurance to go to a free clinic?
No. Free clinics mainly serve people who have no insurance or not enough of it. They don't bill Medicaid, Medicare or insurance companies. Each clinic sets its own income and residency rules, so call first.
What is the difference between a free clinic and a community health center?
A free clinic is a private nonprofit that runs mostly on donations and volunteers and doesn't bill insurance. Most community health centers get federal grants, bill insurance and charge a sliding fee based on income. Health centers must serve everyone, even people who can't pay. Free clinics set their own rules.
Can I go to a free clinic if I have Medicaid?
It depends on the clinic, so call and ask. Free clinics don't bill Medicaid, and most focus on people without enough coverage. A community health center bills Medicaid, so it may be a better fit.
Who works at free clinics?
Paid staff and volunteers, including medical professionals (NAFC). Some free clinics join a federal program that covers their licensed or certified workers if a patient makes a malpractice claim. Clinics in that program must check each provider's license and training every 2 years.
Can I walk in to a free clinic?
It depends on the clinic. Hours and rules differ from place to place, and NAFC says to contact the clinic directly for details. Call before you go and ask if you need an appointment.

Sources

  1. National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC), FAQ (definition, eligibility, clinic count, funding) (nafcclinics.org), accessed October 19, 2026
  2. NAFC, Get Care (cost, who can go, what to bring) (nafcclinics.org), accessed October 19, 2026
  3. NAFC, Find a Clinic (search by city or ZIP code; listing updates) (nafcclinics.org), accessed October 19, 2026
  4. 42 U.S.C. 233(o), which nonprofit clinics count as free clinics, and federal malpractice protection for their health professionals (Cornell LII) (law.cornell.edu), accessed October 19, 2026
  5. HRSA, Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) frequently asked questions (free clinics) (bphc.hrsa.gov), accessed October 19, 2026
  6. HRSA, What is the Federal Tort Claims Act? (free clinic volunteers first deemed in 2005) (bphc.hrsa.gov), accessed October 19, 2026
  7. HRSA, What is a Health Center? (bphc.hrsa.gov), accessed October 19, 2026
  8. HRSA, About the Health Center Program (health centers, sites and 2025 patients) (bphc.hrsa.gov), accessed October 19, 2026
  9. HRSA Health Center Program Compliance Manual, Chapter 9: Sliding Fee Discount Program (bphc.hrsa.gov), accessed October 19, 2026
  10. HRSA, National Health Center Program UDS awardee data (2025 insurance status) (data.hrsa.gov), accessed October 19, 2026
  11. HHS ASPE, 2026 Poverty Guidelines (aspe.hhs.gov), accessed October 19, 2026
  12. HRSA, Find a Health Center (findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov), accessed October 19, 2026
  13. HealthCare.gov glossary, Urgent care, accessed October 19, 2026
  14. MedlinePlus (NIH), When to use the emergency room - adult (medlineplus.gov), accessed October 19, 2026
  15. CMS, Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA) (cms.gov), accessed October 19, 2026
  16. CMS, What is a good faith estimate? (cms.gov), accessed October 19, 2026
  17. HealthCare.gov, Medicaid & CHIP coverage, accessed October 19, 2026
  18. Medicaid.gov, Where can people get help with Medicaid & CHIP? (state agency list), accessed October 19, 2026
  19. IRS, Financial assistance policies (FAPs) for tax-exempt hospitals (irs.gov), accessed October 19, 2026
  20. 211.org, accessed October 19, 2026