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 Montana

13 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 Montana

Montana district courts handle family matters in each of its 56 counties across 22 judicial districts. The Child Support Services Division operates under DPHHS. Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Bozeman are the largest cities. Montana Legal Services Association is the statewide LSC-funded civil legal aid program, with extensive online self-help for pro se litigants.

13 Resources

1. Healthcare.gov – Montana Marketplace — Free

Federal health insurance marketplace serving Montana where fathers can compare private health plans, estimate subsidies, and enroll in coverage during Open Enrollment or after a qualifying life event. Call the marketplace 24/7 for help in English, Spanish, or interpreter-supported languages, or enroll online at healthcare.gov. Low- and moderate-income dads may qualify for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions.

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

2. Community Health Center of Missoula — Paid

Federally qualified health center serving Missoula with primary care, behavioral health, dental, and pharmacy services on a sliding fee scale. Fathers with or without insurance can establish care as a new patient by phone; the clinic accepts Medicaid, Medicare, most commercial plans, and self-pay based on income. Bring photo ID, insurance card if any, and recent proof of income to set up the sliding-fee discount.

406-258-4799 · 1804 S Ave W, Missoula, MT 59801 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

3. Bullhook Community Health Center — Paid

Federally qualified community health center in Havre offering primary care, behavioral health, dental, and pharmacy services to families across the Hi-Line. Fathers can call for a same-week new-patient appointment; the clinic uses a sliding-fee scale for uninsured patients and accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial insurance. Bring photo ID, insurance card, and recent proof of household income to enrollment.

406-395-4103 · 30 13th St W, Havre, MT 59501 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Montana DPHHS – Public Health — Free

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services oversees statewide programs including Medicaid, CHIP, immunizations, WIC, disease prevention, and local public health support. Fathers can apply for Medicaid or Healthy Montana Kids through apply.mt.gov, check immunization records, and find local health department services. Call Helena for program information; most services involve no cost or are based on income.

406-444-4540 · Helena, MT 59601 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Partnership Health Center – Missoula — Paid

Federally qualified health center in Missoula offering primary care, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and specialty care to area residents regardless of insurance. Fathers can establish care as new patients and use a sliding-fee scale tied to household income. The clinic accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial plans, and co-locates services to reduce the number of separate appointments families must attend.

406-258-4799 · 401 Railroad St W, Missoula, MT 59802 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

6. Indian Health Service – Montana — Free

Federal Indian Health Service provides primary care, behavioral health, dental, and specialty services at no cost to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native individuals enrolled in a federally recognized tribe. Fathers who are tribal members can establish care at the Billings area office or regional IHS clinics; bring tribal enrollment documentation and photo ID. Services are also open to eligible family members in some cases.

406-247-7107 · Billings, MT 59101 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Helena Indian Alliance – Health — Free

Urban Indian health program in Helena providing primary care, behavioral health, substance use treatment, and traditional healing support to Native American residents and their families. Fathers can schedule a new-patient visit by phone; documentation of tribal affiliation is helpful but not always required. The Alliance accepts Medicaid and IHS funding, offers sliding-fee discounts, and coordinates care with local hospitals.

406-442-9244 · Helena, MT 59601 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

8. Alluvion Health – Great Falls — Paid

Federally qualified health center in Great Falls offering primary care, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, and OB/GYN services to Cascade County residents on a sliding fee scale. Fathers without insurance can establish care based on household income; the center also accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial plans. Bring photo ID, any insurance card, and proof of income to your first visit to set up the sliding scale.

406-454-6973 · 601 2nd Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Butte-Silver Bow Health Department — Free

Local public health department serving Butte and Silver Bow County with immunizations, WIC, family planning, communicable disease follow-up, environmental health, and community health programs. Fathers can call to schedule childhood and adult vaccines, access free or low-cost screenings, and get referrals to local primary care. Services are free or low-cost depending on the program; bring photo ID and insurance info if any.

406-497-5020 · 25 W Front St, Butte, MT 59701 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Flathead City-County Health Department — Free

Public health department serving Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, and the rest of Flathead County with immunizations, WIC, family planning, disease surveillance, and environmental health services. Fathers can schedule childhood vaccines, travel shots, and adult immunizations; many services are low-cost or covered by insurance. Staff also provide free car seat checks and referrals to primary care and mental health.

406-751-8100 · 1035 1st Ave W, Kalispell, MT 59901 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

11. Planned Parenthood of Montana — Paid

Planned Parenthood provides reproductive and sexual health care — including STI testing and treatment, birth control, cancer screenings, and family planning — to Montanans at health centers in Billings and other cities. Fathers can access STI testing, vasectomy referrals, and general men's reproductive health services. Most services accept insurance including Medicaid, and sliding-fee discounts are available for self-pay clients.

406-248-3636 · Billings, MT 59101 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Cascade City-County Health Department — Free

Local public health department serving Great Falls and Cascade County with immunizations, WIC, family planning, communicable disease response, and environmental health programs. Fathers can schedule childhood and adult vaccines, pick up home safety supplies, and ask about referrals to primary care and behavioral health. Many services are free or low-cost; call ahead to confirm clinic hours and needed documentation.

406-454-6950 · 115 4th St S, Great Falls, MT 59401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

13. Yellowstone City-County Health Department — Free

RiverStone Health serves as the public health department for Billings and Yellowstone County, providing primary care, immunizations, WIC, behavioral health, hospice, and community health programs on a sliding fee scale. Fathers without insurance can establish care with a provider; RiverStone accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial plans, and offers discounts based on household income documented at intake.

406-247-3200 · 123 S 27th St, Billings, MT 59101 · 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.