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 Indiana

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 Indiana

Indiana superior and circuit courts hear family matters in all 92 counties, with some counties operating dedicated domestic relations divisions. The Child Support Bureau operates under DCS. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and South Bend are the largest metros. Indiana Legal Services is the primary LSC-funded civil legal aid program.

16 Resources

1. Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) / Indiana Medicaid — Free

Indiana's Medicaid program providing health coverage to low-income adults, families, children, and pregnant women through the HIP 2.0 model. Dads can apply online at benefits.in.gov or at a local FSSA Division of Family Resources office. Bring a photo ID, Social Security numbers for household members, proof of income (pay stubs or benefits letters), rent/utility bills, and citizenship/immigration status. Eligibility is based on income and household size.

1-877-438-4479 · 402 W Washington St, Room W382, Indianapolis, IN 46204 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm · Visit Website

2. Healthcare.gov - Indiana Marketplace — Free

Federal marketplace for Indiana residents to compare and enroll in ACA health insurance plans during open enrollment (typically Nov-Jan) or after a qualifying life event. Financial assistance (premium tax credits, cost-sharing reductions) is available based on household income. Dads can apply online at healthcare.gov or by phone. Have Social Security numbers, pay stubs or tax returns, and employer coverage info ready when applying.

1-800-318-2596 · Online resource · Online 24/7; phone 24/7 · Visit Website

3. HealthNet (Indianapolis) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving Indianapolis with affordable primary care, dental, behavioral health, OB/GYN, and pharmacy services at 9 locations on a sliding fee scale based on income. Dads can call to schedule appointments. Bring a photo ID, insurance card or Medicaid/HIP card if any, proof of income (pay stubs), and a list of current medications. Uninsured patients are served on a sliding-fee scale.

317-962-9200 · Multiple Indianapolis locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; some evening hours · Visit Website

4. Matthew 25 Health & Dental Clinic (Fort Wayne) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving northeast Indiana with affordable primary care, dental, and pharmacy services for uninsured and underinsured residents of Allen and surrounding counties. Dads can call to schedule appointments at the downtown Fort Wayne clinic. Bring a photo ID, insurance or Medicaid/HIP card if any, proof of income, and a list of current medications. Sliding-scale fees are available for uninsured patients.

260-449-4040 · 413 E Washington Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Indiana Primary Health Care Association — Paid

Network of 26 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) operating 150+ sites across Indiana providing affordable primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Dads can use the IPHCA website to search for the nearest FQHC by ZIP code. Bring a photo ID, insurance or Medicaid/HIP card if any, proof of income, and a list of current medications to appointments.

317-630-0845 · Find a health center by zip code on website · Varies by location · Visit Website

6. Indiana Benefits Portal — Free

Online portal (benefits.in.gov) for applying to HIP/Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and other Indiana benefits in one application. Dads can check eligibility, upload documents, and manage benefits online without visiting an FSSA office. Have photo ID, Social Security numbers for household members, proof of income (pay stubs or benefits letters), rent/utility bills, and citizenship/immigration status ready before starting the application.

1-800-403-0864 · Online resource · Online 24/7

7. IU Health Community Health (Statewide) — Paid

Indiana University Health system operating community health programs, charity care, and selected free clinics across Indiana for uninsured and underinsured residents. Dads can call or search the IU Health website to find locations offering financial assistance, free screenings, and community services. Bring a photo ID, insurance or Medicaid/HIP card if any, proof of income, and a list of current medications when scheduling appointments.

317-962-2000 · Multiple Indiana locations · Varies by location

8. Gennesaret Free Clinic (Indianapolis) — Free

Free medical, dental, and behavioral health clinic for uninsured Indianapolis adults without access to other healthcare coverage. Walk-in and appointment services are available at the downtown New York Street clinic. Dads can bring a photo ID, proof of address, and a list of current medications. Services are delivered by volunteer physicians, dentists, nurses, and counselors. Follow-up care and referrals to specialists are coordinated by the clinic.

317-262-5645 · 631 E New York St, Indianapolis, IN 46202 · Mon-Fri; check schedule · Visit Website

9. Open Door Health Services (Muncie) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving east-central Indiana with affordable primary care, dental, behavioral health, OB/GYN, and pharmacy at multiple locations including Muncie and surrounding communities. Dads can call to schedule appointments. Bring a photo ID, insurance or Medicaid/HIP card if any, proof of income, and a list of current medications. Sliding-scale fees are available for uninsured patients.

765-286-7000 · 333 S Madison St, Muncie, IN 47305 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Shalom Community Center Health Clinic (Bloomington) — Free

Free health clinic at Bloomington's Shalom Community Center providing primary care for uninsured and underinsured Monroe County residents, including people experiencing homelessness. Dads can walk in during posted clinic hours or call to confirm the schedule. Bring a photo ID if you have one, and a list of current medications. Clinic is staffed by volunteer physicians and nurses and partners with other Bloomington providers for follow-up care.

812-334-5728 · 620 S Walnut St, Bloomington, IN 47401 · Mon-Fri; check schedule · Visit Website

11. St. Joseph Community Health Foundation (Fort Wayne) — Free

Fort Wayne health foundation operating community health programs and supporting access to healthcare for underserved populations in Allen County and northeast Indiana. The foundation funds partner clinics, health education, and outreach rather than delivering direct clinical care. Dads seeking services should ask about grantee clinics (like Matthew 25) that provide direct affordable care. Call or visit the website to explore programs.

260-449-4040 · Fort Wayne, IN 46802 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

12. CareSource Indiana (Medicaid MCO) — Free

Major Medicaid managed care organization serving Indiana HIP/Medicaid members with primary care, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, and transportation coverage. Dads enrolled in HIP can call CareSource member services to find network providers, request an ID card, schedule transportation to medical appointments, or ask benefit questions. Have your member ID and Social Security number ready. Enrollment is through the Indiana Benefits Portal.

1-844-607-2829 · Statewide · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm · Visit Website

13. Anthem Healthy Indiana Plan — Free

Anthem's managed care plan for Indiana HIP/Medicaid members providing comprehensive health coverage and care coordination statewide. Dads enrolled in HIP through Anthem can call member services to find network providers, request an ID card, schedule non-emergency medical transportation, or ask benefit questions. Have your member ID and Social Security number ready. HIP enrollment is handled through the Indiana Benefits Portal, not Anthem directly.

1-866-408-6131 · Statewide · Mon-Fri 8am-8pm · Visit Website

14. Heart City Health Center (Elkhart) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving Elkhart County with affordable primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services on a sliding fee scale based on income. Dads can call to schedule appointments at the Oakland Avenue clinic and other Elkhart-area sites. Bring a photo ID, insurance or Medicaid/HIP card if any, proof of income (pay stubs or benefits letters), and a list of current medications to your visit.

574-293-4227 · 830 Oakland Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

15. Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of Greater Lafayette — Free

Free medical clinic for uninsured working adults in the Lafayette area, staffed by volunteer physicians, nurses, and pharmacists. Dads can call to ask about eligibility (typically adults without other coverage and below income thresholds) and schedule an appointment. Bring a photo ID, proof of address, proof of income, and a list of current medications to your first visit. Specialty referrals are coordinated through the clinic network.

765-447-8461 · 530 Main St, Lafayette, IN 47901 · By appointment

16. HealthVine (Southern Indiana) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving southern Indiana with affordable primary care, dental, and behavioral health at locations in New Albany, Salem, and Scottsburg. Dads can call to schedule appointments. Bring a photo ID, insurance or Medicaid/HIP card if any, proof of income, and a list of current medications. Sliding-scale fees are available for uninsured patients, and most major insurance plans including HIP are accepted.

812-949-5577 · 1507 Park Pl, New Albany, IN 47150 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · 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.