How to find a free clinic near you

A free clinic gives care for little or nothing

A free clinic is a nonprofit clinic that gives care at no charge, or close to it, to people who cannot afford it. Many are run by volunteer doctors and nurses. The federal government has a program for free clinics. It describes them as nonprofit groups that do not take payment from patients or from insurance companies. They get by on donations and grants and on the time that volunteers give.

Many people use the words "free clinic" for any low-cost clinic. That can cause confusion, because a sliding scale clinic charges a fee that depends on your income. A community health center is one example of that. Our guide on free clinics, health centers and cash-pay doctors explains how the three differ.

This page is general information and not medical advice. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Free clinics are not built for emergencies, and the ER must treat you whether or not you can pay.

Ways to find a free clinic near you

There is no single list that covers every clinic in the country, so it helps to try more than one of these steps.

1. Search the online clinic list from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, a national group of free and charitable clinics.
2. Dial 211 to reach a phone line that connects you to local help, such as food and housing as well as health care. The 211 service says its calls are confidential and can be anonymous, so you do not have to give your name.
3. If no free clinic is close, search the Find a Health Center tool on the HRSA website. HRSA is the Health Resources and Services Administration, a federal agency. The tool lists community health centers, which charge on a sliding scale and serve everyone.
4. Call your county or city health department and ask which free or low-cost clinics are nearby. They often know about small clinics that do not have much of a website.
5. Ask at a local hospital, a church or a food pantry. Staff there often know which clinic is open on which night.

Clinics change their hours and their rules often. Call before you go, even if a website says the clinic is open.

Each clinic decides who can use it

Each clinic makes its own rules, and many are meant for people with low incomes who do not have health insurance. Some also ask that you live in the town or county they serve. Some see patients only on certain days or at certain hours, and some only treat certain problems.

Because the rules vary, the best step is a short phone call. Ask whether the clinic sees people who have no insurance, and whether you need to live in a certain area or show a certain income. Also ask whether you need an appointment or can walk in. Then ask what days and hours the clinic is open and whether it sees adults, children or both.

Care that free clinics usually offer

The list of services differs a lot from clinic to clinic. Many offer basic care such as visits for common illnesses, checks for long-term problems like high blood pressure or diabetes, and some tests. Some can give out common medicines or help you find low-cost ones. A few offer dental, eye or mental health care, but many do not.

Free clinics may have no specialist or X-ray machine on site. If you need one, the staff can often tell you where to go next. Ask about this when you call, since it can save you a trip.

For a medicine you need, our guide on getting prescriptions without insurance covers ways to lower the cost.

What to bring to a free clinic

Some clinics ask for very little, and others ask for a few papers, so a short list helps you be ready.

Bring a photo ID if you have one, and proof of where you live, such as a bill or a letter with your address. Proof of income can be a recent pay stub, a tax return or a note from your employer. If you have no income, ask what the clinic accepts instead.

Your medicines matter too, so bring a list with the names and doses, or bring the bottles. Any past records, test results or hospital papers help as well. A list of your questions keeps you from forgetting them during the visit.

If you are missing some of these papers, you can still call to ask what the clinic will accept. Some patients have lost papers or have no pay stubs, and the staff can tell you what else may work.

On the day of your visit, plan to arrive early, since some clinics see people in the order they arrive. Bring something to read or a phone charger because waits can be long. Ask the staff how to reach the clinic if you need to ask a question before your next visit.

Other options when the clinic is full or far away

Free clinics often have long waits because they run on volunteer time. You have other choices if you cannot get in, and you do not have to give up on getting care.

• A community health center charges on a sliding scale and must serve people even if they cannot pay, according to HRSA. Read our guide on community health centers to see what to expect.
• A cash-pay doctor sets a clear price that you pay yourself. A direct primary care practice usually charges $50 to $200 a month, and visits are often quick to schedule. You can search the directory of cash-pay doctors to see who is near you. Direct primary care is not insurance, so it does not cover the hospital.
• A hospital may offer free or reduced-price care for people with low incomes. Our guide on hospital financial assistance explains how to ask.
• A clinic that uses a sliding scale outside the federal system may fit too.

A bill you cannot pay is worth an early call to the billing office, where you can ask about help.