I don't have insurance — where do I go for primary care?

A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) — every state has them, they charge on sliding-scale based on income, and they cover primary care, dental, mental health, and often pharmacy. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

Do I qualify for Medicaid as a single dad?

In Medicaid expansion states, any adult with income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level qualifies regardless of dependents. In non-expansion states, a custodial parent of a minor may qualify under lower thresholds. Apply at your state's Medicaid agency or through healthcare.gov.

What about an emergency with no insurance?

EMTALA requires every US hospital with an ER to stabilize any emergency regardless of ability to pay. Nonprofit hospitals must offer financial assistance (often free care up to 200% FPL). Never skip a real emergency over cost — ask about charity care when you arrive.

Is there help with prescriptions?

Patient assistance programs from drug manufacturers provide free or low-cost meds for uninsured patients. NeedyMeds and RxAssist list them. GoodRx and SingleCare provide discount pricing for uninsured buyers. FQHCs often include 340B pharmacy discounts on-site.

Healthcare in California

17 verified resources.

About Healthcare for Fathers

Healthcare for fathers without insurance is accessible through Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs — also called community health centers), free clinics, hospital financial assistance programs, and Medicaid. FQHCs exist in every state and charge on a sliding scale; they provide primary care, dental, behavioral health, and prescription services. The HRSA health center locator lists all FQHCs. Free clinics (typically run by volunteer medical professionals) operate in most major cities. Medicaid eligibility expanded to adults without dependent children in states that adopted Medicaid expansion under the ACA — eligibility is generally up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. For uninsured emergencies, every hospital must stabilize regardless of ability to pay under EMTALA, and all nonprofit hospitals are required to offer financial assistance for qualifying patients. This directory includes FQHCs, free clinics, state Medicaid offices, and state ACA marketplaces.

Healthcare in California

California handles custody in superior courts across all 58 counties. The Department of Child Support Services runs enforcement through local child support agencies (LCSAs) in every county. Los Angeles County operates the largest family court system in the US. Major metros include LA, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, and Sacramento. LA County's LAFLA, Bay Area Legal Aid, and Legal Aid Society of San Diego are the largest legal aid programs.

17 Resources

1. Medi-Cal — California Medicaid — Free

California's Medicaid program providing free or low-cost health coverage for adults, children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities who meet income requirements. Covers doctor visits, hospital care, dental, mental health, and substance use treatment. Apply at BenefitsCal.com 24/7 or call (800) 541-5555. No documentation of immigration status required under recent expansions of Medi-Cal coverage.

(800) 541-5555 · Apply at your county social services or online · BenefitsCal.com 24/7; Medi-Cal line Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

2. Covered California — Paid

California's official health insurance marketplace offering subsidized private health plans under the ACA. Premium subsidies available for households earning 100-600% of federal poverty level. Special Enrollment Periods available after major life events such as job loss or having a child. Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 31. Call (800) 300-1506 or visit coveredca.com to compare plans and enroll.

(800) 300-1506 · 1601 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; Sat 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. HRSA Health Center Finder — California FQHCs — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Centers provide primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services on a sliding-fee scale based on income. Over 300 FQHC sites in California. No one is turned away regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Use the HRSA locator at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov or call 1-877-464-4772 to find your nearest California FQHC. An essential healthcare option for uninsured fathers.

1-877-464-4772 · Statewide FQHC locations · Locator 24/7; clinic hours vary · Visit Website

4. Venice Family Clinic — Los Angeles — Free

One of the largest free clinics in the United States providing comprehensive primary care, dental, mental health, and specialty services to uninsured and underserved patients in Los Angeles. Serves 28,000+ patients annually. All services free or on a sliding-fee scale. Call (310) 392-8636 or visit venicefamilyclinic.org. Located in Venice on Rose Avenue. Multiple satellite sites across LA County.

(310) 392-8636 · 604 Rose Ave., Venice, CA 90291 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; some evening hours · Visit Website

5. Mission Neighborhood Health Center — San Francisco — Paid

Community health center in the Mission District providing comprehensive primary care, dental, behavioral health, and women's health for uninsured and Medi-Cal patients. FQHC with sliding-scale fees based on income. Serves a largely Latino population with fully bilingual English-Spanish services. Call (415) 552-3870 or visit mnhc.org. Located on Shotwell Street in SF. Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.

(415) 552-3870 · 240 Shotwell St., San Francisco, CA 94110 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. California Poison Control System — Free

Free 24/7 statewide poison emergency line staffed by pharmacists and registered nurses. Handles exposures to medications, household chemicals, plants, environmental toxins, and other poisoning concerns. Serves all of California. Call 1-800-222-1222 or chat at calpoison.org. Immediate expert guidance on what to do in any potential poisoning emergency. A critical resource for parents of young children.

1-800-222-1222 · UC San Francisco, San Francisco, CA · 24/7/365 · Visit Website

7. NeedyMeds — Prescription Assistance — Free

Free national database of patient assistance programs, free clinics, drug discount cards, and state pharmaceutical programs. California-specific resources include Medi-Cal Rx and state programs. Search by drug name or ZIP code at needymeds.org. Call 1-800-503-6897 or email info@needymeds.org. Helps uninsured and underinsured patients including fathers access free or low-cost prescription medications.

1-800-503-6897 · Online 24/7; helpline Mon-Fri 9-5 ET · Visit Website

8. Medi-Cal for Children (CHIP) — California — Free

Children's health coverage through Medi-Cal for families with incomes too high for standard Medi-Cal but who cannot afford private insurance. Full health, dental, vision, and mental health coverage for children at no or low cost. Apply at BenefitsCal.com or through your county social services office. Call (800) 880-5305 for information. Single fathers can enroll qualifying children regardless of their own coverage status.

(800) 880-5305 · Apply at your county social services or online · Mon-Fri 8-5

9. Free Clinic of Simi Valley — Free

Free medical, dental, and pharmacy services for uninsured adults in Ventura County. Staffed entirely by volunteer physicians, dentists, and nurses. Comprehensive primary care at no cost to qualifying patients. Call (805) 584-7309 for information. Walk-ins welcome on a first-come, first-served basis. Located in Simi Valley on Cochran Street. Open Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm. Serves Ventura County uninsured residents.

(805) 584-7309 · 2886 Cochran St., Simi Valley, CA 93065 · Mon-Thu 9am-5pm

10. Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas (CSVS) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving Monterey County farmworker and low-income communities. Comprehensive primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services on a sliding-fee scale. Fully bilingual English-Spanish staff. Call (831) 757-8689 or visit csvs.org. Located in Salinas on Pajaro Street. Serves 12 clinic sites throughout Monterey County. No one is turned away based on inability to pay.

(831) 757-8689 · 340 Pajaro St., Salinas, CA 93901 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

11. LA County DHS — My Health LA — Free

Free health coverage for uninsured LA County residents who don't qualify for Medi-Cal. Primary care, chronic disease management, mental health, and pharmacy provided through a network of community health centers. No immigration status requirements. Call (844) 744-6452 or visit dhs.lacounty.gov to enroll. Serves hundreds of thousands of uninsured LA County residents annually regardless of background or documentation.

(844) 744-6452 · Community health centers across LA County · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

12. San Ysidro Health — San Diego Border FQHC — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving South San Diego and border communities with comprehensive primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services. 47 clinic sites across San Diego County serving 108,000+ patients annually. Sliding-fee scale based on income. Call (619) 662-4100 or visit syhealth.org for an appointment. No one is turned away based on inability to pay. Bilingual Spanish services available.

(619) 662-4100 · 1601 Precision Park Lane, San Diego, CA 92173 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

13. AltaMed Health Services — LA/OC FQHC — Paid

One of the largest Federally Qualified Health Centers in the nation, serving 300,000+ patients across Los Angeles and Orange counties. Offers primary care, dental, behavioral health, senior services, and women's health. Call (888) 499-9303 or visit altamed.org to find a location near you. Multiple sites throughout LA and OC with some Saturday hours. Sliding-fee scale for uninsured patients. Bilingual Spanish services available.

(888) 499-9303 · Multiple LA and OC locations · Mon-Fri 8-5; some Sat hours · Visit Website

14. Fresno County Dept of Behavioral Health — Paid

County behavioral health services for Fresno County including outpatient mental health, substance abuse treatment, and 24/7 crisis intervention. Call the access line at (800) 654-3937 anytime for intake or crisis support. Multiple clinic locations across the county. Accepts Medi-Cal and offers sliding-scale fees for uninsured patients. Provides psychiatric services, individual therapy, case management, and peer support programs.

(800) 654-3937 · Multiple Fresno County locations · Access line 24/7 · Visit Website

15. RxAssist — California Prescription Help — Free

Free database of patient assistance programs from pharmaceutical companies allowing uninsured and underinsured patients to receive medications at no or reduced cost. Search by drug name at rxassist.org to find the manufacturer's assistance program. California residents can also access information about Medi-Cal Rx and state discount programs. Available 24/7 online with no registration required. Updated regularly with new programs.

Online 24/7 · Visit Website

16. Denti-Cal — Medi-Cal Dental Program — Free

Dental coverage for Medi-Cal members including preventive cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures, and emergency dental care. Find a Denti-Cal participating provider at smilecalifornia.org by ZIP code or call (800) 322-6384 for help. Coverage is included with Medi-Cal enrollment at no additional cost. Some services require prior authorization. Children receive comprehensive dental coverage; adult coverage was fully restored in 2023.

(800) 322-6384 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

17. Planned Parenthood — California — Paid

Reproductive healthcare, STI testing, cancer screenings, contraception, and general primary care at 100+ California health centers. Sliding-scale fees based on income. Family PACT program covers qualifying uninsured patients for reproductive health services at no cost. Call (800) 230-7526 or visit plannedparenthood.org to find your nearest California location. Services available to patients of all genders.

(800) 230-7526 · 100+ CA locations · Hours vary by center · Visit Website

Healthcare — Common Questions

I don't have insurance — where do I go for primary care?: A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) — every state has them, they charge on sliding-scale based on income, and they cover primary care, dental, mental health, and often pharmacy. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
Do I qualify for Medicaid as a single dad?: In Medicaid expansion states, any adult with income up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level qualifies regardless of dependents. In non-expansion states, a custodial parent of a minor may qualify under lower thresholds. Apply at your state's Medicaid agency or through healthcare.gov.
What about an emergency with no insurance?: EMTALA requires every US hospital with an ER to stabilize any emergency regardless of ability to pay. Nonprofit hospitals must offer financial assistance (often free care up to 200% FPL). Never skip a real emergency over cost — ask about charity care when you arrive.
Is there help with prescriptions?: Patient assistance programs from drug manufacturers provide free or low-cost meds for uninsured patients. NeedyMeds and RxAssist list them. GoodRx and SingleCare provide discount pricing for uninsured buyers. FQHCs often include 340B pharmacy discounts on-site.