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 Wisconsin

15 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 Wisconsin

Wisconsin circuit courts hear family matters in each of its 72 counties, with Family Court Counseling services providing mediation and custody studies. The Bureau of Child Support operates under DCF. Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Kenosha are the largest cities. Legal Action of Wisconsin, Judicare, and the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee cover the state.

15 Resources

1. Wisconsin Medicaid (BadgerCare Plus) — Free

Wisconsin's Medicaid program providing health coverage to low-income individuals, families, children, pregnant women, and adults without dependent children who meet income limits. Father-headed households can apply online at access.wi.gov, by phone, or at local agencies. Coverage includes doctor visits, hospital stays, mental health, prescriptions, and dental for children. Bring photo ID, Social Security cards for household members, pay stubs, and proof of address to intake.

1-800-362-3002 · 1 W Wilson St, Madison, WI 53703 · Mon-Fri 7:45am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Healthcare.gov - Wisconsin Marketplace — Free

Federal health insurance marketplace where Wisconsin residents can compare, select, and enroll in ACA-compliant health plans with income-based subsidies. Fathers without employer coverage can enroll during Open Enrollment or Special Enrollment Periods triggered by qualifying life events. Apply online or by phone. Gather Social Security numbers, expected household income, current health plan info, and immigration documents for non-citizens before starting the application for fastest completion.

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

3. Milwaukee Health Services Inc — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving Milwaukee with primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services at multiple locations on a sliding fee scale. Fathers can schedule appointments by phone. Serves Milwaukee. Uninsured and underinsured welcome. Bring photo ID, insurance card if any, proof of income for sliding fee determination, and medication list to your first visit. Pediatric and adult services available for the whole family.

414-372-8080 · 2555 N Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53212 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Access Community Health Centers (Madison) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving Dane County with primary care, dental, and behavioral health at 5 Madison-area locations on a sliding fee scale based on income. Fathers can schedule appointments by phone. Uninsured and underinsured welcome. Bring photo ID, insurance card if any, proof of income for sliding fee determination, and medication list to your first visit. Pediatric and adult services available for the whole family.

608-443-5500 · Multiple Madison locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association — Paid

Statewide network of 17 Federally Qualified Health Centers operating 80+ sites across Wisconsin providing affordable primary care, dental, and behavioral health services regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Fathers can find a nearby center through the online locator by ZIP. Serves all Wisconsin counties. Bring photo ID, insurance card if any, proof of income for sliding fee determination, and medication list to your first visit for fastest enrollment.

608-277-7477 · Find a health center by zip code · Varies by location · Visit Website

6. Free & Charitable Clinics of Wisconsin — Free

Statewide network of free and charitable clinics providing medical, dental, and behavioral health care to uninsured and underinsured Wisconsin residents at no or low cost. Fathers without insurance can find a nearby clinic through the network directory. Eligibility and services vary by clinic; typically income-based. Bring photo ID, proof of income, and proof of address to your first visit. Some clinics require advance appointments; others accept walk-ins on clinic days.

Multiple Wisconsin locations · Varies by clinic

7. Family Health/La Clinica (Wautoma/Central WI) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving rural central Wisconsin with primary care, dental, and behavioral health services on a sliding fee scale including bilingual staff serving farmworkers and Latino families. Fathers can schedule appointments by phone. Serves Waushara and surrounding counties. Bring photo ID, insurance card if any, proof of income for sliding fee determination, and medication list to your first visit. Pediatric and adult services for the whole family.

920-787-5514 · 400 E Main St, Wautoma, WI 54982 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Outreach Community Health Centers (Milwaukee) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving Milwaukee with primary care, dental, vision, pharmacy, and HIV/AIDS care at multiple locations on a sliding fee scale. Fathers can schedule appointments by phone. Serves Milwaukee. Uninsured and underinsured welcome. Bring photo ID, insurance card if any, proof of income for sliding fee determination, and medication list to your first visit. Pediatric and adult services available for the whole family.

414-727-6320 · 711 W Capitol Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53206 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. NorthLakes Community Clinic (Ashland/Northern WI) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving rural northern Wisconsin with primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services across multiple locations on a sliding fee scale. Fathers can schedule appointments by phone. Serves Ashland and surrounding northern counties. Bring photo ID, insurance card if any, proof of income for sliding fee determination, and medication list to your first visit. Pediatric and adult services available for the whole family.

715-685-2200 · 516 W Main St, Ashland, WI 54806 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Partnership Community Health Center (Appleton) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving the Fox Valley with primary care, dental, and behavioral health regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, with a sliding fee scale based on household income. Fathers can schedule appointments by phone. Serves Outagamie and surrounding counties. Bring photo ID, insurance card if any, proof of income for sliding fee determination, and medication list to your first visit for fastest enrollment and care.

920-731-4200 · 2500 E Capitol Dr, Appleton, WI 54911 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Kenosha Community Health Center — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving Kenosha County with primary care, dental, and behavioral health on a sliding fee scale based on household income. Fathers can schedule appointments by phone. Uninsured and underinsured welcome. Bring photo ID, insurance card if any, proof of income for sliding fee determination, and medication list to your first visit. Pediatric and adult services available for the whole family in one coordinated system.

262-656-0044 · 4536 22nd Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

12. Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers (Cashton/Western WI) — Paid

Federally Qualified Health Center serving rural western Wisconsin with primary care, dental, and behavioral health services on a sliding fee scale based on household income. Fathers can schedule appointments by phone. Serves Monroe and surrounding counties. Bring photo ID, insurance card if any, proof of income for sliding fee determination, and medication list to your first visit. Pediatric and adult services available for the whole family in one integrated system.

608-654-5100 · 420 Front St, Cashton, WI 54619 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

13. Children's Wisconsin — Paid

Wisconsin's only independent children's hospital providing specialty pediatric care, primary care, urgent care, emergency services, and family resource programs across multiple locations. Fathers with medically complex or specialty-care needs for their kids can schedule appointments through primary care referrals or direct appointment scheduling. Accepts most insurance including BadgerCare. Bring insurance card, photo ID, and prior medical records to appointments for fastest intake and coordinated care.

414-266-2000 · 9000 W Wisconsin Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53226 · 24/7 emergency; clinics Mon-Fri · Visit Website

14. Dental Lifeline Network - Wisconsin — Free

Connects uninsured, disabled, elderly, and medically fragile Wisconsin residents with volunteer dentists providing free comprehensive dental care through the Donated Dental Services program. Fathers of kids with disabilities or qualifying adults can apply online or by phone. Services donated by volunteer dentists statewide. Bring medical records, proof of disability or income, and photo ID when requested. Wait times can be long; program helps with complex dental needs.

303-534-5360 · Volunteer dentists statewide · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

15. WisconsinEyes.com - Children's Vision Program — Free

State program ensuring Wisconsin children receive vision screenings and access to eye care regardless of insurance status, coordinated through schools, clinics, and BadgerCare Plus. Fathers can ask about free or low-cost vision screenings at their child's school or at primary care appointments. Referrals to local providers made through the program. Bring photo ID, insurance card if any, and any glasses or prescription records to follow-up eye exams.

Through schools and clinics statewide · Varies · 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.