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 Texas

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 Texas

Texas district courts hear family matters across its 254 counties, with many urban counties operating dedicated family courts. The Texas Attorney General's Child Support Division runs enforcement statewide. Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Fort Worth are the largest metros. Texas Legal Services Center, Lone Star Legal Aid, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid cover the state.

18 Resources

1. Texas Medicaid — YourTexasBenefits.com — Free

Official portal for applying for and managing Texas Medicaid health coverage at YourTexasBenefits.com. Adults, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities can apply online 24/7 or via mobile app. Bring Social Security numbers, proof of income, and residency documents. Processing takes up to 45 days. Custodial fathers with children may qualify for family Medicaid coverage. Call 211 for help applying or find a local HHS office for in-person assistance.

2-1-1 · Online 24/7; 2-1-1 available 24/7 · Visit Website

2. CHIP — Children's Health Insurance Program — Paid

Low-cost health coverage for children in families that earn too much for Medicaid. $50 or less per family per year with no premium for the lowest income families. Covers doctor visits, dental, vision, prescriptions, hospital care, and mental health services. Apply at YourTexasBenefits.com or call 2-1-1. Fathers with custody of children can enroll kids in CHIP regardless of their own insurance status. Income eligibility is based on household size and monthly gross income.

2-1-1 · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

3. Healthcare.gov — Texas Marketplace — Paid

Federal Health Insurance Marketplace for uninsured Texans. Primary coverage option for low-income adults who don't qualify for Medicaid. Premium tax credits available based on income — many Texas families pay $0/month after credits. Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15. Special enrollment available after job loss or major life events. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 for assistance. Free enrollment help available from certified Navigators statewide.

1-800-318-2596 · 24/7 online; phone Mon-Sun 8 AM-12 AM ET · Visit Website

4. HRSA Find a Health Center — Texas FQHCs — Free

71 Federally Qualified Health Centers operating 700+ sites statewide across Texas. Sliding fee scale — visits often $0-0 for low-income patients. Cannot turn anyone away regardless of ability to pay or insurance status. Services include primary care, dental, mental health, and preventive care. Search hrsa.gov/find-health-care or call 2-1-1 to find your nearest FQHC. Bring proof of income to qualify for the lowest fee tier. Open to uninsured and underinsured Texans.

1-877-464-4772 · Locator 24/7 online · Visit Website

5. Legacy Community Health — Houston FQHC — Paid

Largest FQHC in Texas with 50+ locations across the Houston Gulf Coast region. Primary care, mental health, dental, HIV/STI testing, pediatrics, and pharmacy on a sliding fee scale. Cannot turn anyone away regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Call or visit legacycommunityhealth.org to find the nearest clinic. Income-based sliding scale — uninsured low-income patients pay little or nothing per visit. Walk-ins often welcome for urgent care services at Houston-area locations.

(832) 548-5000 · 1415 California St, Houston, TX 77006 · Most Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

6. Spring Branch Community Health Center — Houston — Paid

FQHC with seven clinics and two mobile health units serving West Houston. Primary care, mental health, dental, and women's health services on a sliding fee scale. No one turned away regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Visit sbchc.org or call for appointment and location information. Bring proof of income to qualify for reduced fees. Mobile health units bring care to underserved neighborhoods. Accepts Medicaid, CHIP, and most insurance in addition to sliding-scale patients.

(713) 462-6565 · 1615 Hillendahl Blvd, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77055 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

7. Parkland Health — Community Clinics (Dallas) — Paid

16 COPC community clinics across Dallas County through Parkland Health. Primary care, immunizations, behavioral health, pharmacy, lab, and social services on a sliding fee scale for low-income and uninsured residents. Cannot turn anyone away. Call or visit parklandhealth.org to find your nearest Dallas County clinic. Bring proof of income for sliding-scale enrollment. Parkland's community clinics are a primary safety-net healthcare resource for uninsured Dallas residents.

(214) 266-4000 · Multiple Dallas County locations · Call for nearest clinic hours · Visit Website

8. CommuniCare Health Centers — San Antonio FQHC — Paid

Multiple clinic locations across Bexar, Kendall, and Hays counties in San Antonio. Family medicine, pediatrics, dental, behavioral health, and WIC services on a sliding fee scale. No one turned away regardless of ability to pay or insurance status. Visit communicarehealth.org or call for appointment and location information. Bring proof of income for sliding-scale qualification. Accepts Medicaid, CHIP, and most insurance plans in addition to sliding-scale patients.

(210) 233-7000 · 1102 Barclay St, San Antonio, TX 78207 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

9. CommUnityCare Health Centers — Austin FQHC — Paid

One of Texas's largest FQHC systems serving 129,000+ patients at 30+ Austin and Travis County locations. Primary care, behavioral health, dental, and specialty services on a sliding fee scale. No one turned away regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Visit communitycaretx.org or call for appointment scheduling and location information. Bring proof of income for sliding-scale qualification. Accepts Medicaid, CHIP, and most insurance plans in addition to uninsured and underinsured patients.

(512) 978-9015 · 211 Comal St, Austin, TX 78702 · Call for nearest clinic · Visit Website

10. Texas Poison Center Network — Free

24/7 free emergency guidance from physicians, nurses, and pharmacists for poisoning emergencies across Texas. Call 1-800-222-1222 anytime. Available in English and Spanish. Covers medication overdoses, household chemical exposures, plant ingestions, and other poisoning emergencies for all ages. Specialists guide you on whether to stay home, monitor symptoms, or go to the ER. Texas Poison Center Network serves all 254 counties with regional centers across the state.

1-800-222-1222 · 24/7/365 · Visit Website

11. NeedyMeds — Prescription Assistance — Free

Free helpline and database connecting patients to programs that reduce medication and healthcare costs at needymeds.org. Covers patient assistance programs from pharmaceutical manufacturers, drug discount cards, and Texas-specific healthcare resources. Search by drug name to find programs that may provide free or discounted medications. Drug discount cards are free and can be used at most Texas pharmacies. Call or use the website to find programs for specific medications you need.

1-800-503-6897 · Mon-Fri 9-5 ET; website 24/7 · Visit Website

12. 2-1-1 Texas — Healthcare Referrals — Free

24/7 live specialist connecting you to health clinics, free healthcare, prescription assistance, mental health services, Medicaid enrollment help, and medical transportation anywhere in Texas. Dial 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905. Available in English and Spanish. Specialists can find sliding-scale clinics, FQHCs, and community health resources near you by ZIP code. Free to use from any phone — no income requirement. The fastest way to find local healthcare resources in your Texas county.

2-1-1 · 24/7 · Visit Website

13. Amistad Community Health Center — Corpus Christi — Paid

FQHC serving the Coastal Bend region with primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services in the Corpus Christi area. Sliding fee scale based on income — cannot turn anyone away for inability to pay. Visit amistadhealth.org or call for appointment and clinic location information. Bring proof of income for sliding-scale enrollment. Accepts Medicaid, CHIP, and most major insurance in addition to uninsured and underinsured Nueces County and Coastal Bend residents.

(361) 886-3003 · 1533 S Brownlee Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78404 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

14. Avenue 360 Health & Wellness — Houston — Paid

FQHC providing primary care, behavioral health, dental, HIV/STI services, and pharmacy across multiple Houston locations. Sliding fee scale — no one turned away regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Visit avenue360.org or call for appointment and location information. Bring proof of income for sliding-scale enrollment. Specializes in serving LGBTQ+ patients and people living with HIV. Accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and major insurance in addition to uninsured patients in Houston.

(713) 426-0027 · Multiple Houston locations · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

15. Su Clinica — Rio Grande Valley FQHC — Paid

FQHC serving Cameron and Willacy counties in the Rio Grande Valley with primary care, dental, behavioral health, and WIC services. Bilingual English and Spanish staff. Sliding fee scale — cannot turn anyone away for inability to pay. Visit suclinica.com or call for appointment scheduling and clinic locations. Bring proof of income for sliding-scale enrollment. Accepts Medicaid, CHIP, and most insurance plans for Valley residents in the Harlingen and surrounding border area.

(956) 350-5500 · 1515 Calle Del Norte, Harlingen, TX 78550 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

16. JPS Health Network — Tarrant County (Fort Worth) — Paid

Public hospital and clinic system for Tarrant County residents in Fort Worth. Primary care, specialty clinics, behavioral health, and dental services available. Financial assistance program for uninsured and underinsured residents — no one turned away for emergency care. Call JPS at (817) 921-3431 or visit jpshealthnet.org to learn about community clinic locations and financial assistance enrollment. Bring proof of Tarrant County residency and income documents when applying for assistance.

(817) 702-3431 · 1500 S. Main St, Fort Worth, TX 76104 · ER 24/7; clinics Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website

17. University Health System — Bexar County (San Antonio) — Paid

Public health system for Bexar County residents in San Antonio with primary care clinics, specialty services, and the CareLink financial assistance program for uninsured residents. CareLink provides discounted care based on income for Bexar County residents. Call University Health at (210) 358-3045 or visit uhsystem.com to find clinics and apply for CareLink. Bring proof of Bexar County residency and income. Emergency care is always available regardless of insurance or residency status.

(210) 358-4000 · 4502 Medical Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229 · ER 24/7; clinics vary · Visit Website

18. RxAssist — Texas Prescription Help — Free

Comprehensive database of patient assistance programs from pharmaceutical manufacturers, searchable by drug name at rxassist.org. Helps uninsured and underinsured Texans access free or deeply discounted medications directly from drug companies. Many programs provide 90-day supplies of brand-name medications at no cost. Call your doctor's office for help applying — many offices have staff who assist patients with manufacturer assistance applications. Available to all uninsured Texas residents.

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.