Healthcare in Ohio

14 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 Ohio

Ohio has dedicated Domestic Relations Courts and Juvenile Courts (which handle paternity and unmarried-parent custody) in most counties. The Office of Child Support operates under JFS. Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Akron anchor the major metros. The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, and Community Legal Aid cover the state.

14 Resources

1. Healthcare.gov - Ohio Marketplace — Free

Federal marketplace for Ohio residents to compare and enroll in private health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. Premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions are available based on household income. Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15 each year — special enrollment available after qualifying life events. Call 1-800-318-2596 available 24/7, or visit healthcare.gov to compare plans and check subsidy eligibility before enrolling.

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

2. Columbus Neighborhood Health Center — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center providing affordable primary care, dental, vision, behavioral health, and pharmacy services for Columbus-area residents regardless of insurance status. Sliding scale fees based on income — no one turned away. Call 614-457-6942 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit columbushealth.com for locations and appointment scheduling. Multiple Columbus-area locations available. Bring photo ID and proof of income to qualify for the sliding fee scale.

614-457-6942 · Multiple Columbus locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. The Centers (Akron/Lorain) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center providing primary care, behavioral health counseling, and social services to underserved communities in Akron and Lorain County. Sliding scale fees based on income — no one is turned away for inability to pay. Call 330-773-0990 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit thecentersohio.org. Located at 311 W Main St, Ravenna, OH 44266 with Akron-area locations also available. Bring photo ID and proof of income for sliding fee.

330-773-0990 · 311 W Main St, Ravenna, OH 44266 (and Akron locations) · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Neighborhood Family Practice (Cleveland) — Paid

Community health center providing primary care, pediatrics, dental, and behavioral health services to Cleveland residents on a sliding fee scale based on household income. No one is turned away for inability to pay. Call 216-281-0872 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm with some evening hours. Located at 3569 Ridge Rd, Cleveland, OH 44102 with additional locations. Visit nfpmedcenter.org for appointment scheduling. Bring photo ID and proof of income for sliding fee eligibility.

216-281-0872 · 3569 Ridge Rd, Cleveland, OH 44102 (and other locations) · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; some evening hours · Visit Website

5. HealthSource of Ohio — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center providing medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health care at locations across southern Ohio including Wilmington, Hillsboro, and surrounding communities. Sliding fee scale available based on income — no one is turned away. Call 937-382-3676 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit healthsourceofohio.org for appointments and locations. Bring photo ID and proof of income for sliding fee eligibility screening at your first appointment.

937-382-3676 · 187 S South St, Wilmington, OH 45177 (and other locations) · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. CincySmiles Foundation (Cincinnati) — Free

Provides free dental care to low-income and uninsured Cincinnati-area residents through volunteer dentist clinic events held throughout the year. Services include cleanings, fillings, and extractions. Call 513-898-5337 or visit cincysmiles.org to find upcoming clinic dates and registration information. Clinic locations vary — check the website for the next event. No insurance required. First-come, first-served registration at most events.

513-898-5337 · Cincinnati, OH area (clinic locations vary) · Event-based; check website for dates · Visit Website

7. Ohio Healthy Start Programs — Free

Community-based programs reducing infant mortality by providing prenatal care coordination, home visiting services, health education, and family support to at-risk mothers, fathers, and families in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo. Visit hrsa.gov/maternal-child-health/healthy-start for program information. Services are free for eligible families. Call your local public health department to ask about the nearest Healthy Start program in your Ohio county.

Programs in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo · Varies by program · Visit Website

8. PrimaryOne Health (Columbus FQHC) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center with 12 locations across Central Ohio providing primary care, dental, behavioral health counseling, and pharmacy services on a sliding scale fee based on income. No one is turned away for inability to pay. Call 614-645-5500 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit primaryonehealth.org for location nearest you. Bring photo ID and proof of income to qualify for the sliding fee — uninsured patients are welcome.

614-645-5500 · Multiple Columbus locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Neighborhood Health Association (Toledo FQHC) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving Toledo and Lucas County with primary care, dental, behavioral health counseling, and pharmacy services. No one is turned away regardless of ability to pay — sliding scale fees based on income are available. Call 419-241-3788 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit nhainc.org for appointment scheduling. Located at 313 Jefferson Ave, Toledo. Bring photo ID and proof of income for sliding fee eligibility screening.

419-241-3788 · 313 Jefferson Ave, Toledo, OH 43604 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. HealthPath Foundation (Dayton) — Free

Community health foundation supporting access to affordable healthcare for underserved Dayton and Montgomery County residents. Funds programs and initiatives that expand primary care, behavioral health, and preventive services for uninsured and low-income individuals. Call 937-586-9113 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm for information on funded health programs in the Dayton area. Connects residents to local FQHC and free clinic resources throughout Montgomery County.

937-586-9113 · Dayton, OH · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

11. Ohio Poison Control Center — Free

24/7 free emergency guidance for poisoning emergencies for Ohio residents statewide. Staffed around the clock by trained pharmacists, nurses, and toxicologists. Call 800-222-1222 immediately if you suspect poisoning — do not wait for symptoms to worsen. Handles medications, household chemicals, plants, bites, stings, and other toxic exposures. Keep the number saved in your phone. Services are free and confidential for all Ohio callers.

800-222-1222 · 24/7/365 · Visit Website

12. NeedyMeds – Ohio Prescription Help — Free

Comprehensive database of pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs. Search by drug name to find free or deeply discounted medications for uninsured and underinsured Ohio patients. Call 800-503-6897 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or search at needymeds.org anytime. Also includes coupons, disease-specific programs, and low-cost clinic locator. No registration required to search — completely free resource for patients and healthcare providers.

800-503-6897 · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

13. Care Alliance Health Center (Cleveland FQHC) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving Cleveland's most vulnerable populations including homeless individuals with primary care, dental, behavioral health counseling, and community outreach services. Sliding scale fees based on income — no one is turned away. Call 216-781-6724 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm or visit carealliance.org. Located at 1530 St Clair Ave NE, Cleveland. Bring photo ID and proof of income for sliding scale eligibility. Walk-ins accepted for urgent needs.

216-781-6724 · 1530 St Clair Ave NE, Cleveland, OH 44114 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

14. RxAssist – Ohio Prescription Help — Free

Comprehensive database of patient assistance programs from pharmaceutical manufacturers helping uninsured and underinsured Ohio patients obtain free or low-cost prescription medications. Search by drug name at rxassist.org anytime — no registration required. Includes program eligibility requirements, application forms, and contact information for each manufacturer program. Completely free to use for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers across Ohio.

Online 24/7 · 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.