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 Connecticut

16 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 Connecticut

Connecticut's Superior Court handles family matters through regional Judicial Districts and Family Support Magistrate Division locations. The Office of Child Support Services runs enforcement under DSS. Major cities include Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Bridgeport, and Waterbury. Connecticut Legal Services and Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut provide civil legal aid, and every courthouse has a court service center offering free forms assistance.

16 Resources

1. HUSKY Health (Medicaid) – Connecticut — Free

Free or low-cost health coverage for eligible Connecticut children, parents, pregnant women, and adults through the state Medicaid program. Covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, mental health, and dental. Apply online through Access Health CT, by phone, or at a local DSS office. Bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, pay stubs, and birth certificates for household members. Income and residency requirements apply.

877-284-8759 · 55 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Access Health CT – Marketplace — Free

Connecticut's official health insurance marketplace for comparing and enrolling in individual and family plans, including subsidized coverage and HUSKY/Medicaid determination. Fathers can shop plans during open enrollment or qualifying life events. Apply online, by phone, or with a certified Navigator during business hours. Bring photo ID, Social Security numbers, pay stubs, and tax return info. Free assistance available statewide.

855-805-4325 · 280 Trumbull St, Hartford, CT 06103 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Community Health Center Inc. — Paid

Federally qualified health centers offering affordable primary care, dental, behavioral health, and women's health across Connecticut. Sliding-scale fees based on income; Medicaid/HUSKY and most insurances accepted. Call during business hours to schedule new patient intake. Bring photo ID, insurance cards, medication list, and prior medical records. Serves fathers and families at multiple locations statewide including Middletown, Hartford, New Haven, Meriden, and more.

860-347-6971 · 635 Main St, Middletown, CT 06457 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Fair Haven Community Health Care — Paid

Federally qualified community health center providing affordable primary care, dental, behavioral health, and women's health in the Fair Haven area of New Haven. Sliding-scale fees based on income; Medicaid/HUSKY and most insurances accepted. Call during business hours to schedule new patient intake. Bring photo ID, insurance cards, medication list, and prior medical records. Serves New Haven fathers and families regardless of immigration status.

203-777-7411 · 374 Grand Ave, New Haven, CT 06513 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Charter Oak Health Center – Hartford — Paid

Federally qualified health center providing affordable primary care, dental, and behavioral health for Hartford-area fathers and families. Sliding-scale fees based on income; Medicaid/HUSKY and most insurances accepted. Call during business hours to schedule new patient intake. Bring photo ID, insurance cards, medication list, and prior medical records. Serves Hartford regardless of immigration status with multilingual staff and evening appointments.

860-550-7500 · 21 Grand St, Hartford, CT 06106 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

6. Optimus Health Care – Bridgeport — Paid

Federally qualified community health center serving Fairfield County fathers and families with primary care, dental, behavioral health, and women's health. Sliding-scale fees based on income; Medicaid/HUSKY and most insurances accepted. Call during business hours to schedule new patient intake. Bring photo ID, insurance cards, medication list, and prior medical records. Multiple sites across Bridgeport, Stamford, Stratford, and surrounding Fairfield County communities.

203-332-3518 · 20 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06604 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. CT Department of Public Health — Free

State health programs including immunizations, screenings, STD testing, and public health information for Connecticut fathers and families. Services delivered through local health departments and state clinics. Call during business hours or visit the state website for current programs and local contact info. Bring photo ID to clinic visits when requested. Some services free or low-cost; statewide coverage across all eight Connecticut counties.

860-509-8000 · 410 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT 06134 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Stamford Community Health Center — Paid

Affordable community health center providing primary care, pediatrics, dental, and behavioral health for Stamford-area fathers and families. Sliding-scale fees based on income; Medicaid/HUSKY and most insurances accepted. Call during business hours to schedule new patient intake. Bring photo ID, insurance cards, medication list, and prior medical records. Serves Stamford and surrounding lower Fairfield County regardless of immigration status with multilingual staff.

203-969-0802 · 22 5th St, Stamford, CT 06905 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Mission Dental — Free

Free dental care for children and low-income uninsured adults at periodic volunteer dental missions across Connecticut. Services include cleanings, fillings, extractions, and education. Walk-in at scheduled events; arrive early as demand is high and slots are limited. Bring photo ID and proof of address. No insurance required. Check the website for upcoming event dates and locations across the state throughout the year.

Varies by event · Visit Website

10. Southwest Community Health Center – Bridgeport — Paid

Federally qualified community health center providing affordable primary care, pediatrics, dental, and behavioral health in Bridgeport. Sliding-scale fees based on income; Medicaid/HUSKY and most insurances accepted. Call during business hours to schedule new patient intake. Bring photo ID, insurance cards, medication list, and prior medical records. Serves Bridgeport fathers and families regardless of immigration status with multilingual staff and walk-in sick visits.

203-330-6000 · 968 East Main St, Bridgeport, CT 06608 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

11. StayWell Health Center – Waterbury — Paid

Federally qualified community health center offering affordable primary care, pediatrics, dental, and behavioral health for Waterbury-area fathers and families. Sliding-scale fees based on income; Medicaid/HUSKY and most insurances accepted. Call during business hours to schedule new patient intake. Bring photo ID, insurance cards, medication list, and prior medical records. Serves Waterbury and surrounding Greater Waterbury regardless of immigration status with multilingual staff.

203-756-8021 · 80 Phoenix Ave, Waterbury, CT 06702 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center – New Haven — Paid

Federally qualified health center with comprehensive primary care, pediatrics, dental, behavioral health, and specialty services in New Haven. Sliding-scale fees based on income; Medicaid/HUSKY and most insurances accepted. Call during business hours to schedule new patient intake. Bring photo ID, insurance cards, medication list, and prior medical records. Serves New Haven fathers and families regardless of immigration status with multilingual staff.

203-503-3000 · 226 Dixwell Ave, New Haven, CT 06511 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

13. Generations Family Health Center – Willimantic — Paid

Federally qualified community health center offering affordable primary care, pediatrics, dental, and behavioral health for eastern Connecticut fathers and families. Sliding-scale fees based on income; Medicaid/HUSKY and most insurances accepted. Call during business hours to schedule new patient intake. Bring photo ID, insurance cards, medication list, and prior medical records. Serves Willimantic, Windham County, and surrounding eastern CT communities.

860-450-7471 · 85 Church St, Willimantic, CT 06226 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

14. Planned Parenthood of Southern New England — Paid

Reproductive healthcare, family planning, STI testing and treatment, and sexual health education for Connecticut fathers, partners, and children across multiple locations. Sliding-scale fees; Medicaid/HUSKY and most insurances accepted. Call during business hours to schedule appointments. Bring photo ID and insurance cards. Serves men and women regardless of immigration or insurance status with clinics in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, and beyond.

800-230-7526 · Varies by location · Visit Website

15. CT Children's Medical Center — Paid

Pediatric healthcare hospital serving children across Connecticut with primary, specialty, emergency, and inpatient services. Accepts HUSKY/Medicaid and commercial insurance. Emergency department open 24/7; scheduled care by appointment through primary care and specialty referrals. Bring photo ID, insurance cards, child's medication list, and prior medical records to appointments. Main campus in Hartford with satellite clinics across the state.

860-545-9000 · 282 Washington St, Hartford, CT 06106 · 24/7 emergency · Visit Website

16. AmeriCares Free Clinics – Norwalk — Free

Free primary healthcare for uninsured working adults and families in lower Fairfield County. Services include primary care, chronic disease management, specialty referrals, and medication assistance. By-appointment only; call during business hours for eligibility screening and scheduling. Bring photo ID, proof of income, and prior medical records to first appointment. Serves Norwalk, Stamford, Danbury, Bridgeport, and surrounding communities through clinic sites.

203-899-2367 · 48 Grassy Plain St, Bethel, CT 06801 · By appointment · 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.