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 Nebraska

12 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 Nebraska

Nebraska district courts hear family matters in each of its 93 counties, with many counties using county court for paternity and child support. The Child Support Enforcement division operates under DHHS. Omaha and Lincoln dominate the state's population. Legal Aid of Nebraska is the primary LSC-funded civil legal aid provider statewide.

12 Resources

1. Healthcare.gov – Nebraska Marketplace — Free

Federal health insurance marketplace where Nebraska residents can compare and enroll in ACA-compliant health plans and check eligibility for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. Fathers can enroll online or by phone around the clock, with licensed navigators and certified application counselors available for help. Use the Find Local Help tool for Nebraska-based assistance. Open Enrollment runs annually; special enrollment applies after qualifying life events.

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

2. OneWorld Community Health Centers – Omaha — Paid

Federally qualified health center with multiple Omaha-area clinics providing primary care, dental, behavioral health, and women's health services on a sliding-scale fee based on income and family size. The South 30th Street main clinic accepts appointments weekdays. Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance also accepted. Fathers should bring photo ID, insurance card, and proof of income for sliding-scale eligibility to their first visit.

402-734-4110 · 4920 S 30th St, Omaha, NE 68107 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. People's Health Center – Lincoln — Paid

Community health center providing affordable primary care for Lincoln-area residents regardless of insurance status. The North 27th Street clinic accepts appointments weekdays. Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance accepted; sliding-scale fees apply for qualifying uninsured fathers. Bring photo ID, insurance card if any, and proof of income and household size to your first visit to determine sliding-scale eligibility and establish care.

402-476-1455 · 1021 N 27th St, Lincoln, NE 68503 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

4. Charles Drew Health Center – Omaha — Paid

Federally qualified community health center serving north Omaha and surrounding neighborhoods with primary care, pediatrics, dental, behavioral health, and women's health on a sliding-scale fee structure. The Grant Street clinic accepts appointments weekdays. Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance accepted. Fathers should bring photo ID, insurance card, and proof of income for sliding-scale qualification at their first appointment.

402-457-1200 · 2915 Grant St, Omaha, NE 68111 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Good Neighbor Community Health Center — Paid

Affordable community health clinic serving Columbus and surrounding communities with primary care, behavioral health, and preventive services. The 18th Street clinic accepts appointments during weekday business hours. Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance accepted; sliding-scale fees available for qualifying uninsured fathers. Bring photo ID, insurance card if any, and proof of income and household size to establish care and determine fee tier.

402-562-8970 · 3020 18th St #1, Columbus, NE 68601 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

6. Bluestem Health – Lincoln — Paid

Lincoln community health center offering primary care, women's health, pediatrics, behavioral health, and dental services to residents regardless of insurance status. The South 17th Street clinic accepts appointments weekdays. Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance accepted; sliding-scale fees available for qualifying uninsured fathers. Bring photo ID, insurance card if any, and proof of income and household size to your first visit.

402-476-1455 · 2201 S 17th St, Lincoln, NE 68502 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

7. Creighton University Free Clinic — Free

Free student-run clinic at Creighton University providing basic primary care and preventive services to uninsured Omaha-area adults. The clinic operates select evenings staffed by supervised medical students and faculty physicians. Fathers should call during the day to confirm current hours and eligibility screening. Bring photo ID if you have it; identification is not typically required to receive care. Specialist referrals are made where possible.

402-280-2700 · Omaha, NE 68178 · Select evenings · Visit Website

8. CHI Health – Omaha — Paid

Major hospital system operating multiple hospitals and clinics across the Omaha metro offering emergency care, surgery, maternity, specialty services, and primary care clinics. Emergency departments are open 24/7; outpatient clinics keep weekday business hours. Fathers should bring photo ID, insurance card, and a current medication list to any visit. Financial assistance and charity care programs are available for qualifying uninsured patients; ask the billing office.

402-398-5566 · Omaha, NE 68124 · 24/7 emergency

9. Grand Island CHI Health – St. Francis — Paid

Full-service hospital and healthcare system serving central Nebraska with 24/7 emergency care, maternity, surgery, and specialty services from its West Faidley Avenue campus in Grand Island. Outpatient clinics run weekday hours. Fathers should bring photo ID, insurance card, and medication list to any visit. Financial assistance programs are available for qualifying uninsured patients; contact the billing office to review eligibility and application steps.

308-384-4600 · 2620 W Faidley Ave, Grand Island, NE 68803 · 24/7 emergency

10. Kearney Regional Medical Center — Paid

Full-service hospital serving Kearney and central Nebraska with 24/7 emergency care, maternity, surgery, cardiology, and outpatient clinics. The 22nd Avenue campus accepts walk-in emergencies around the clock and scheduled appointments weekdays. Fathers should bring photo ID, insurance card, and medication list to any visit. Ask the billing office about financial assistance and payment plan options if you are uninsured or underinsured.

308-865-7100 · 804 22nd Ave, Kearney, NE 68845 · 24/7 emergency · Visit Website

11. Panhandle Community Health Center – Scottsbluff — Paid

Community health center providing affordable primary care, women's health, behavioral health, and dental services for Nebraska panhandle residents. The Scottsbluff clinic accepts appointments weekdays. Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance accepted; sliding-scale fees available for qualifying uninsured fathers. Bring photo ID, insurance card if any, and proof of income and household size to your first visit to determine sliding-scale eligibility.

308-635-3171 · Scottsbluff, NE 69361 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Hastings Regional Medical Center — Paid

Hospital serving south central Nebraska with 24/7 emergency care, surgery, maternity, and outpatient specialty services from its North St. Joseph Avenue campus in Hastings. Outpatient clinics run weekdays. Fathers should bring photo ID, insurance card, and a current medication list to any visit. Financial assistance and payment plan programs are available for qualifying uninsured or underinsured patients; ask the billing office to review eligibility.

402-461-2000 · 715 N St Joseph Ave, Hastings, NE 68901 · 24/7 emergency

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.