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 Kansas

18 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 Kansas

Kansas district courts handle family matters in each of its 31 judicial districts. The Child Support Services division operates under the Department for Children and Families. Wichita, Kansas City KS, Overland Park, and Topeka are the largest cities. Kansas Legal Services provides statewide civil legal aid, with fathers' rights and family law among the top case types.

18 Resources

1. KanCare (Medicaid) – Kansas — Free

KanCare is Kansas's Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program, providing free or low-cost health coverage for income-qualifying children, pregnant people, parents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Fathers can apply online, by phone, or at a DCF office. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards, income documentation, and proof of Kansas residency. Benefits include doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, dental, and behavioral health. The Topeka office is open weekdays.

800-792-4884 · 555 S Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS 66603 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Healthcare.gov – Kansas Marketplace — Free

Healthcare.gov is the federally facilitated health insurance marketplace where Kansans without employer coverage can compare and enroll in qualified health plans, often with premium tax credits based on income. Fathers can apply online during open enrollment or through a special enrollment period triggered by life events. Have Social Security numbers, income estimates, and policy numbers for existing coverage ready. Free help is available through certified navigators.

800-318-2596 · 24/7 online · Visit Website

3. GraceMed Health Clinic – Wichita — Paid

GraceMed Health Clinic is a federally qualified health center serving Wichita and surrounding communities with affordable primary care, dental, vision, and behavioral health services on a sliding fee scale. Fathers can schedule an intake at the S Broadway location weekdays. Bring photo ID, insurance cards if available, and proof of income for sliding-fee eligibility. GraceMed serves insured, uninsured, and underinsured patients, and staff help with KanCare enrollment.

316-866-2000 · 1120 S Broadway, Wichita, KS 67211 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Swope Health – KCK — Paid

Swope Health is a federally qualified community health center serving the Kansas City metro on both sides of the state line, offering primary care, pediatrics, dental, behavioral health, and specialty services on a sliding fee scale. Fathers can schedule an intake through the Kansas City office. Bring photo ID, insurance cards if available, and proof of income for sliding-fee eligibility. Staff help insured and uninsured patients enroll in KanCare.

816-923-5800 · Kansas City, KS 66101 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Heartland Community Health Center – Lawrence — Paid

Heartland Community Health Center is a federally qualified health center in Lawrence providing primary care, dental, behavioral health, and case management on a sliding fee scale for Douglas County residents. Fathers can schedule an intake at the Maine St office weekdays. Bring photo ID, insurance cards if available, and proof of income for sliding-fee eligibility. Heartland serves insured, uninsured, and underinsured patients, and staff help clients enroll in KanCare or Marketplace.

785-841-7297 · 324 Maine St, Lawrence, KS 66044 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. HealthCore Clinic – Wichita — Paid

HealthCore Clinic is a federally qualified community health center in Wichita offering primary care, behavioral health, dental, and women's services on a sliding fee scale for Sedgwick County residents. Fathers can schedule an intake at the E 21st St N office weekdays. Bring photo ID, insurance cards if available, and proof of income for sliding-fee eligibility. HealthCore serves insured, uninsured, and underinsured patients, and staff help with KanCare enrollment.

316-691-0249 · 2707 E 21st St N, Wichita, KS 67214 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Kansas Department of Health & Environment — Free

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment administers state public health programs including immunizations, communicable disease control, WIC, maternal and child health, and health screenings. Fathers can contact the Topeka office on SW Jackson St weekdays or visit their local health department for services. KDHE provides information on health insurance options and public health initiatives. Services are free or low-cost for qualifying residents statewide.

785-296-1500 · 1000 SW Jackson St, Topeka, KS 66612 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Marian Clinic – Topeka — Free

Marian Clinic is a free medical clinic providing primary care, chronic disease management, and specialty referrals for uninsured adults in Shawnee County. Fathers without insurance can schedule an appointment at the SW Mulvane St office in Topeka. Bring photo ID, proof of income, and proof of Kansas residency to establish eligibility. Services are at no cost through volunteer clinicians. Marian also offers medication assistance and KanCare enrollment help.

785-234-7711 · 632 SW Mulvane St, Topeka, KS 66606 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

9. Community Health Center of SE Kansas — Paid

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is a federally qualified health center with clinics across southeast Kansas offering primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services on a sliding fee scale. Fathers can schedule an intake at the Pittsburg office on N Michigan or another location. Bring photo ID, insurance cards if available, and proof of income for sliding-fee eligibility. CHCSEK serves insured, uninsured, and underinsured patients and helps with KanCare enrollment.

620-231-1073 · 3011 N Michigan, Pittsburg, KS 66762 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Konza Prairie Community Health Center – Junction City — Paid

Konza Prairie Community Health Center is a federally qualified health center in Junction City serving Geary County and the Fort Riley area with primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pediatrics on a sliding fee scale. Fathers can schedule an intake at the Spartan Plaza office weekdays. Bring photo ID, insurance cards if available, and proof of income for sliding-fee eligibility. Konza serves insured, uninsured, and underinsured patients and helps with KanCare enrollment.

785-238-4711 · 295 Spartan Plaza, Junction City, KS 66441 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Salina Family Healthcare Center — Paid

Salina Family Healthcare Center is a federally qualified community health center providing affordable primary care, pediatrics, obstetrics, and behavioral health services for Saline County families on a sliding fee scale. Fathers can schedule an intake at the E Prescott office weekdays. Bring photo ID, insurance cards if available, and proof of income for sliding-fee eligibility. The center serves insured, uninsured, and underinsured patients and helps with KanCare enrollment.

785-825-7251 · 651 E Prescott, Salina, KS 67401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

12. Hunter Health Clinic – Wichita — Paid

Hunter Health Clinic is a federally qualified community health center in Wichita providing low-cost medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services on a sliding fee scale, with an emphasis on Native American and other underserved populations in Sedgwick County. Fathers can schedule an intake at the E Central office weekdays. Bring photo ID, insurance cards if available, and proof of income for sliding-fee eligibility. Staff help with KanCare or IHS enrollment.

316-262-2415 · 2318 E Central, Wichita, KS 67214 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

13. Wyandotte County Health Department — Free

The Unified Government Public Health Department of Wyandotte County provides free or low-cost public health services including immunizations, STI testing, WIC, maternal and child health, and communicable disease response in Kansas City, KS. Fathers can visit the Ann Ave office weekdays for clinic appointments or call for program info. Bring photo ID, insurance cards if available, and proof of residence. Many services are free, and staff help with KanCare enrollment.

913-573-6700 · 619 Ann Ave, Kansas City, KS 66101 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

14. Topeka-Shawnee County Health Department — Free

The Shawnee County Health Department provides free or low-cost public health services including immunizations, STI testing, WIC, maternal and child health, and communicable disease response for Shawnee County residents. Fathers can visit the SW East Circle Dr office in Topeka weekdays for clinic appointments or call for program info. Bring photo ID, insurance cards if available, and proof of residence. Many services are free, and staff help with KanCare enrollment.

785-251-2000 · 2600 SW East Circle Dr, Topeka, KS 66606 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

15. Sedgwick County Health Department — Free

The Sedgwick County Health Department provides free or low-cost public health services including immunizations, STI testing, WIC, maternal and child health, and communicable disease response for the Wichita metro area. Fathers can visit the E 9th St office weekdays for clinic appointments or call for program info. Bring photo ID, insurance cards if available, and proof of residence. Many services are free, and staff help with KanCare enrollment.

316-660-7300 · 1900 E 9th St, Wichita, KS 67214 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

16. Douglas County Health Department – Lawrence — Free

The Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health Department provides free or low-cost public health services including immunizations, STI testing, WIC, maternal and child health, and communicable disease response for Douglas County. Fathers can visit the Maine St office in Lawrence weekdays for clinic appointments or call for program info. Bring photo ID, insurance cards if available, and proof of residence. Many services are free, and staff help with KanCare enrollment.

785-843-3060 · 200 Maine St #102, Lawrence, KS 66044 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

17. Flint Hills Community Health Center – Emporia — Paid

Flint Hills Community Health Center is a federally qualified community health center in Emporia providing primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services on a sliding fee scale for Lyon County and surrounding east-central Kansas communities. Fathers can schedule an intake at the Commercial St office weekdays. Bring photo ID, insurance cards if available, and proof of income for sliding-fee eligibility. The center serves insured, uninsured, and underinsured patients.

620-342-4864 · 623 Commercial St, Emporia, KS 66801 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

18. Hays Medical Center – Community Health — Paid

HaysMed is the regional hospital and health system in Hays providing comprehensive medical, surgical, and specialty services for Ellis County and much of northwest Kansas, along with community health outreach and education. Fathers can access primary care, urgent care, and specialists through the Canterbury Dr campus and affiliated clinics. Bring photo ID and insurance information. HaysMed participates in KanCare and Medicare and offers financial assistance for qualifying patients.

785-623-5000 · 2220 Canterbury Dr, Hays, KS 67601 · 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.