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Free and low-cost health care, with or without insurance

You can get care even without insurance. Community health centers see everyone and charge based on income, and nonprofit hospitals must offer financial help with their bills. If you might qualify for free coverage, applying for Medicaid is worth doing too.

See a doctor or dentist now

Community health centers offer medical, dental and mental health care on a sliding fee based on your income. They see patients with or without insurance.

Community health centersFree service or coverageMedical, dental, mental health and pharmacy care with fees on a sliding scale based on income, even without insurance.Who qualifies: Anyone, with or without insurance; fees are lower for people with lower income.

Get free or low-cost coverage

Medicaid and CHIP are free or very low cost for people who qualify, and you can apply any time of year.

CHIP: health insurance for childrenFree service or coverageFree or low-cost health coverage for children, including checkups, shots, dental care and hospital care.Who qualifies: Children under 19 (and in some states pregnant women) in families that earn too much for Medicaid but can't afford private insurance.Marketplace health insurance with premium tax creditsTax breakPrivate health plans, with tax credits that lower monthly premiums for many moderate-income households.Who qualifies: People without affordable job-based coverage or Medicaid; tax credits depend on household income.

Prescriptions

Medicare's Extra Help lowers drug costs for people with limited income. Many drug companies also run free-medicine programs; ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Extra Help with prescription costsFree service or coverageLowers Medicare Part D premiums, deductibles and drug copays.Who qualifies: People with Medicare drug coverage who have limited income and savings.Ryan White HIV/AIDS ProgramFree service or coverageMedical care, medicines and support services for people living with HIV who have low income or no insurance.Who qualifies: People living with HIV who have low income or limited insurance.

Mental health and addiction

Free, confidential help is available any time.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Veterans Crisis LineFree service or coverageFree, confidential support 24/7 by call or text to 988. Veterans press 1.Who qualifies: Anyone in emotional distress or crisis, and people worried about someone else.Help for addiction and mental health (SAMHSA National Helpline)Free service or coverageFree, confidential referrals to local treatment, support groups and community services for addiction and mental health, in English and Spanish, any time. Call 1-800-662-4357. In a crisis, call or text 988.Who qualifies: Anyone facing a mental health or substance use problem, and their families.

Veterans

Veterans may qualify for VA health care at little or no cost.

VA health careFree service or coverageMedical care at VA medical centers and community clinics, often at little or no cost.Who qualifies: Veterans who served on active duty and meet basic service requirements.

Find Medicaid in your state

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Good to know

  • Got a big hospital bill? Ask the hospital for its financial assistance (charity care) application. Nonprofit hospitals are required to have one, and it can lower or erase the bill.
  • Free clinics, run by volunteers, also see people without insurance; 2-1-1 can point you to one.
  • Dental schools often offer low-cost cleanings and fillings.
  • Looking for an insurance plan instead? See the health insurance guide for Medicaid, CHIP and Marketplace plans.
  • For free, confidential help from a person, call 2-1-1.

Rules, limits and deadlines change. Each program page links to the official source for current details. Choose your state to see everything available where you live.