Finding Affordable Care Near You

FQHCs are community health centers funded by the federal government to provide comprehensive primary care to underserved populations. They are required by law to see patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, and to charge fees on a sliding scale based on income.

Services typically include: primary care, preventive care, dental, mental health, substance use treatment, and pharmacy. Find FQHCs near you using the HRSA Health Center Finder at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov or HealthGap's Find Care tool. There are over 1,400 FQHC organizations with more than 15,000 sites across the country.

Free clinics are nonprofit organizations that provide healthcare services at little or no cost. They typically serve uninsured patients or those who fall through gaps in the safety net. Many are run by volunteer providers.

The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) has a directory at nafcclinics.org to help you find a free clinic near you. Services vary by location but may include primary care, chronic disease management, dental, mental health, and prescription assistance.

Telehealth has made primary care, mental health, and specialist services more accessible and affordable. Many services offer low per-visit costs without insurance:

• Amazon Clinic: $35–$75 per visit for common conditions without insurance. • Teladoc, MDLive, and similar: $50–$99 per general medical visit. • Sesame: Lists telehealth providers at transparent, low prices.

For people in rural areas or without transportation, telehealth may be the most practical option for non-emergency care.

If you need hospital care and cannot afford it, most hospitals have financial assistance programs. Nonprofit hospitals are legally required to have charity care policies under the ACA.

Apply before or immediately after receiving care — not after the bill goes to collections. Ask the hospital's financial counselor or social worker for the "financial assistance application." Income thresholds vary, but many hospitals assist patients with incomes up to 200–400% of the federal poverty level.

Emergency rooms are the most expensive place to receive care. For non-life-threatening conditions, an urgent care center or retail clinic is significantly less expensive and often faster.

• Emergency room visits: Average cost $1,000–$3,000+ without insurance. • Urgent care center: Average $100–$200 without insurance. • Retail clinic (CVS MinuteClinic, Walgreens): $50–$150 for common conditions.

Use the ER for: chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, severe injuries. Use urgent care for: infections, minor injuries, fever, UTI, flu symptoms.

HealthGap's Find Care tool searches federal databases (HRSA and NPI Registry) to find community health centers, federally qualified health centers, and providers near you. Results include location, contact information, and directions.

The tool is always free and does not require registration or insurance information. Enter your zip code or city to see what is available in your area. If you do not see what you need, Scout can help you identify additional resources based on your specific situation.