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 Maryland

15 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 Maryland

Maryland circuit courts handle family law in each of its 24 jurisdictions, with magistrates hearing many child support and custody matters. The Child Support Administration operates under the Department of Human Services. Baltimore, Columbia, Silver Spring, Frederick, and Rockville anchor the population. Maryland Legal Aid and Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service provide civil legal representation.

15 Resources

1. Maryland Medicaid (Maryland Health Connection) — Free

Maryland's Medicaid program and Affordable Care Act marketplace providing health coverage to eligible low-income individuals, families, children, pregnant people, and adults up to 138% of the federal poverty line. Apply online at Maryland Health Connection, by phone, or at local Department of Social Services offices. Applicants bring photo ID, Social Security numbers for household members, proof of income (pay stubs or tax returns), and immigration documents if applicable. Medicaid is free; ACA plans may have premiums offset by tax credits.

1-855-642-8572 · 750 E Pratt St, 6th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm · Visit Website

2. Total Health Care (Baltimore) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving Baltimore with primary care, pediatrics, women's health, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and HIV services at multiple locations across the city on a sliding fee scale based on household income. Accepts Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance; uninsured patients qualify for discounted fees. Appointments are scheduled by phone or online; bring photo ID, insurance card if available, proof of income, and a list of current medications to the first visit.

410-383-8300 · 1501 W Fayette St, Baltimore, MD 21223 (and other locations) · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Community Clinic Inc (Silver Spring/Takoma Park) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving Montgomery and Prince George's county residents with affordable primary care, pediatrics, women's health, dental, and behavioral health services at multiple sites on a sliding fee scale based on household income. Accepts Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance; uninsured patients qualify for discounted fees. Appointments are scheduled by phone or online; bring photo ID, insurance card if available, proof of income, and a list of current medications to the first visit.

301-585-1250 · 8506 Piney Branch Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20901 (and other locations) · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; some Saturday hours

4. Greater Baden Medical Services (Southern MD) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving southern Maryland and Prince George's County with primary care, pediatrics, women's health, dental, and behavioral health services at multiple sites including Brandywine, Capitol Heights, and other southern Maryland communities. Sliding fee scale based on household income; accepts Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance. Appointments are scheduled by phone or online; bring photo ID, insurance card if available, proof of income, and a list of current medications.

301-888-2233 · 13609 Old Brandywine Rd, Brandywine, MD 20613 (and other locations) · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Maryland Community Health Resources Commission — Paid

State commission within the Maryland Department of Health supporting community health centers, free clinics, and programs that serve uninsured and underinsured Marylanders statewide. Administers grant programs that fund local primary care, behavioral health, and chronic disease initiatives rather than serving patients directly. The commission's website helps Maryland residents find a funded community health resource near their ZIP code. Grant-supported services may be free or sliding-scale depending on the provider and patient income.

410-260-3337 · Find a health center on website · Varies by location · Visit Website

6. Health Care for the Homeless (Baltimore) — Free

Federally Qualified Health Center at 421 Fallsway in Baltimore providing primary care, behavioral health, addiction treatment, dental care, and social services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in central Maryland. Services are free or sliding-scale; accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial insurance. Walk-ins and outreach visits are accepted; bring photo ID if available, but services are not denied for lack of documentation. Case managers help clients enroll in Maryland Medicaid, SNAP, and other benefits during appointments.

410-837-5533 · 421 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD 21202 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

7. Chase Brexton Health Care (Baltimore) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center providing primary care, pediatrics, women's health, dental, behavioral health, HIV prevention and treatment, and pharmacy services at multiple Baltimore-area locations on a sliding fee scale based on household income. Long-standing provider for LGBTQ+ patients and anyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Accepts Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance. Appointments scheduled online or by phone; bring photo ID, insurance card if available, proof of income, and a medication list.

410-837-2050 · 1111 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201 (and other locations) · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Family Health Centers of Baltimore — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center operating multiple health centers across Baltimore City providing primary care, pediatrics, women's health, dental, and behavioral health services on a sliding fee scale based on household income. Accepts Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance; uninsured patients qualify for discounted fees. Appointments scheduled by phone or online; bring photo ID, insurance card if available, proof of income like recent pay stubs, and a list of current medications to the first appointment.

410-675-0511 · Multiple Baltimore locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

9. Mary's Center (Silver Spring) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center providing primary care, pediatrics, prenatal care, dental, behavioral health, and social services in Silver Spring and the broader DC-Maryland region. Strong emphasis on serving immigrant and multilingual families with care in English, Spanish, Amharic, and other languages. Sliding fee scale based on household income; accepts Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial insurance. Appointments are scheduled by phone or online; bring photo ID, insurance card if available, proof of income, and a medication list.

844-796-2797 · 8709 Flower Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20901 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; some Sat hours · Visit Website

10. Choptank Community Health System (Eastern Shore) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving Maryland's Eastern Shore with primary care, pediatrics, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services at locations in Cambridge, Easton, Denton, and other Eastern Shore communities. Sliding fee scale based on household income; accepts Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance. Offers school-based dental and health services for some districts. Appointments are scheduled by phone or online; bring photo ID, insurance card if available, proof of income, and a medication list to the first visit.

410-228-3360 · 305 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MD 21613 (and other locations) · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Tri-State Community Health Center (Hagerstown) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving western Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia residents with primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services on a sliding fee scale based on household income. Locations include Hagerstown and surrounding communities. Accepts Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance; uninsured patients qualify for discounted fees. Appointments are scheduled by phone; bring photo ID, insurance card if available, proof of income, and a medication list to the first visit.

301-745-3777 · 16 S Mulberry St, Hagerstown, MD 21740 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

12. Planned Parenthood of Maryland — Paid

Provides reproductive and sexual healthcare including contraception, STI testing and treatment, wellness and cancer screenings, pregnancy testing, and health education at locations across Maryland including Baltimore, Annapolis, Towson, Easton, and other communities. Accepts Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance; sliding fee scale available for uninsured patients based on household income. Appointments scheduled online or by phone; bring photo ID and insurance card if available. Telehealth visits are offered for many services.

410-576-1414 · Multiple Maryland locations · Varies by location · Visit Website

13. Baltimore Medical System — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center providing comprehensive primary care, pediatrics, women's health, dental, and behavioral health services at multiple sites across Baltimore City and Baltimore County including Highlandtown, Belair-Edison, Essex, and other locations. Sliding fee scale based on household income; accepts Maryland Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance. Appointments are scheduled online or by phone; bring photo ID, insurance card if available, proof of income like pay stubs, and a list of current medications to the first visit.

410-558-4700 · Multiple Baltimore locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

14. Federally Qualified Health Center Locator (HRSA) — Free

Federal tool from the Health Resources and Services Administration to find nearby Federally Qualified Health Centers in Maryland providing affordable primary care, dental, behavioral health, and women's health services on a sliding fee scale regardless of insurance status. Search by Maryland ZIP code to view a map of nearby health centers with contact info, hours, and services. Available 24/7 online with no account or documentation required. All listed FQHCs accept uninsured patients and charge discounted fees based on household income.

Search by Maryland zip code · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

15. Maryland Healthy Smiles Dental Program — Free

Dental benefits program for Maryland Medicaid recipients including children, pregnant people, and adults, covering preventive care, fillings, extractions, and other medically necessary dental services. Beneficiaries can search for participating Maryland dentists by ZIP code online, schedule appointments, and receive care at no cost beyond any required copays. Call the program or the member services line listed on the Maryland Medicaid card for help finding a provider. Bring photo ID and the Medicaid card to appointments.

1-855-934-9812 · Find providers online · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

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.