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 West Virginia

17 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 West Virginia

West Virginia Family Court is a statewide unified system handling divorce, custody, and child support. The Bureau for Child Support Enforcement operates under DHHR. Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, and Morgantown are the largest cities. Legal Aid of West Virginia is the statewide LSC-funded civil legal aid program.

17 Resources

1. WV Medicaid — Free

State-federal program providing free or low-cost health coverage to eligible low-income West Virginians, including fathers, children, and pregnant women. Covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, dental, and behavioral health for enrollees. Apply online, by phone, or at a DHHR office. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards for household, proof of income, and proof of residence. Central office on Capitol Street in Charleston.

304-558-1700 · 350 Capitol St #251, Charleston, WV 25301 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Healthcare.gov – WV Marketplace — Free

Federal health insurance marketplace where West Virginians can compare and enroll in qualified health plans, often with subsidies based on income. Fathers who do not have employer coverage can use the site to shop plans during open enrollment or after a qualifying life event. Available 24/7 online with a call-in option. Have Social Security numbers, income estimates, and household info ready. No fee to use the marketplace.

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

3. Cabin Creek Health Center — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving the Kanawha Valley with primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services. Offers a sliding-fee scale for uninsured and under-insured patients; accepts Medicaid and most private plans. Fathers can call to schedule; bring photo ID, insurance card (if any), and proof of income for sliding-scale eligibility. Located on Kanawha Turnpike in Dawes; open Monday through Friday.

304-595-1787 · 4785 Kanawha Turnpike, Dawes, WV 25054 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Valley Health Systems – Huntington — Paid

Community health center serving the Huntington area with primary care, dental, behavioral health, and women's health services. Federally Qualified Health Center with a sliding-fee scale for uninsured patients; accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most private insurance. Fathers can call to schedule at the Veterans Memorial Boulevard campus. Bring photo ID, insurance card, and proof of income for sliding-scale eligibility. Monday through Friday.

304-525-3334 · 1111 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Huntington, WV 25701 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Shenandoah Valley Medical System — Paid

Community health center serving Berkeley and Jefferson counties in the Eastern Panhandle with primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services. Federally Qualified Health Center with a sliding-fee scale for uninsured patients; accepts Medicaid and most private insurance. Fathers can call to schedule at the War Memorial Drive office in Martinsburg. Bring photo ID, insurance card, and proof of income for sliding-scale rates.

304-263-4999 · 1 War Memorial Dr, Martinsburg, WV 25401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

6. WV Bureau for Public Health — Free

State public health agency overseeing immunizations, screenings, communicable disease control, maternal and child health, and environmental health programs across West Virginia. Fathers can access services through county health departments statewide, often at no cost for vaccines and screenings. Central office on Capitol Street in Charleston. Call or visit the website for program-specific details and your nearest local health department.

304-558-2981 · 350 Capitol St, Charleston, WV 25301 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Milan Puskar Health Right – Morgantown — Free

Free and charitable clinic providing primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to uninsured West Virginians in the Morgantown area. Services are free for eligible patients. Fathers can call to schedule an intake appointment at the Spruce Street clinic; bring photo ID, proof of residence, and proof of income (or lack thereof) to verify eligibility. Open Monday through Friday business hours.

304-292-8234 · 341 Spruce St, Morgantown, WV 26505 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Minnie Hamilton Health System — Paid

Rural community health center in central West Virginia providing primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to residents of Calhoun and surrounding counties. Federally Qualified Health Center with a sliding-fee scale for uninsured patients; accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. Located on Hospital Drive in Grantsville. Call to schedule and bring photo ID, insurance card, and proof of income.

304-354-9244 · 186 Hospital Dr, Grantsville, WV 26147 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Kanawha-Charleston Health Department — Free

Local health department serving Charleston and Kanawha County with immunizations, communicable-disease services, maternal and child health programs, and environmental health inspections. Many clinical services are low-cost or free. Fathers can walk in or call to schedule at the Lee Street East office. Bring photo ID and insurance card (if any); income documentation may be needed for some programs. Monday through Friday daytime hours.

304-348-8080 · 108 Lee St E, Charleston, WV 25301 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

10. Cabell-Huntington Health Department — Free

Local health department serving Cabell County and Huntington with immunizations, WIC, HIV testing, STI treatment, and environmental health services. Many clinical services are low-cost or free. Fathers can walk in or schedule by phone at the 7th Avenue office. Bring photo ID and insurance card (if any); some programs require income documentation. Open Monday through Friday daytime hours and coordinates with nearby health systems.

304-523-6483 · 703 7th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

11. Monongalia County Health Department — Free

Local health department serving Monongalia County and Morgantown with immunizations, environmental health, communicable-disease services, and maternal and child health programs. Many clinical services are low-cost or free. Fathers can call or walk in at the Van Voorhis Road office. Bring photo ID and insurance card (if any); some programs require proof of income. Open Monday through Friday daytime hours.

304-598-5100 · 453 Van Voorhis Rd, Morgantown, WV 26505 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

12. WV Free Clinics Network — Free

Statewide network of free and charitable clinics providing primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services for uninsured West Virginians. Each clinic sets its own eligibility and hours. Fathers without insurance can use the website or call the network office to find the nearest participating clinic. Bring photo ID, proof of residence, and any income documentation to verify eligibility. Based in Charleston.

304-414-5930 · Charleston, WV 25301 · Varies by clinic · Visit Website

13. Williamson Health & Wellness Center — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving Mingo County and surrounding southern West Virginia communities with primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services. Sliding-fee scale for uninsured patients; accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. Located on East 2nd Avenue in Williamson. Fathers can call to schedule; bring photo ID, insurance card, and proof of income for sliding-scale eligibility.

304-235-2015 · 166 E 2nd Ave, Williamson, WV 25661 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

14. E.A. Hawse Health Center – Romney — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving Hampshire and surrounding Potomac Highlands counties with primary care, dental, and behavioral health services. Sliding-fee scale for uninsured patients; accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. Located on South High Street in Romney. Fathers can call to schedule; bring photo ID, insurance card, and proof of income to qualify for sliding-scale rates. Open Monday through Friday business hours.

304-822-4637 · 214 S High St, Romney, WV 26757 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

15. Berkeley County Health Department — Free

Local health department serving Berkeley County and Martinsburg with immunizations, WIC, environmental health, communicable-disease services, and maternal and child health programs. Many clinical services are low-cost or free. Fathers can walk in or call to schedule at the North Queen Street office. Bring photo ID and insurance card (if any); some programs require proof of income. Open Monday through Friday daytime hours.

304-263-5131 · 118 N Queen St, Martinsburg, WV 25401 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm

16. Raleigh County Health Department — Free

Local health department serving Raleigh County and Beckley with immunizations, environmental health, communicable-disease services, and maternal and child health programs. Many clinical services are low-cost or free. Fathers can walk in or call to schedule at the South Kanawha Street office. Bring photo ID and insurance card (if any); some programs require proof of income. Open Monday through Friday daytime hours.

304-252-8531 · 1614 S Kanawha St, Beckley, WV 25801 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

17. Wheeling Health Right — Free

Free and charitable clinic providing primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to uninsured residents of the Northern Panhandle. Services are free for eligible patients. Located on 29th Street in Wheeling. Fathers can call to schedule an intake and should bring photo ID, proof of residence, and proof of income (or lack thereof) to verify eligibility. Open Monday through Friday daytime hours.

304-233-9323 · 61 29th St, Wheeling, WV 26003 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · 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.