How to Find a Health Clinic

Of the thousands of health centers in the United States that assist low-income and other eligible people, most are federally funded clinics, centers and hospital programs that operate under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).



HRSA defines health centers as "community-based and patient-directed organizations that serve populations with limited access to health care. These include low income populations, the uninsured, those with limited English proficiency, migrant and seasonal farm workers, individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and those living in public housing." Health centers generally base their fees an individual's ability to pay.

Instructions

• 1

  Visit the HRSA website to locate the nearest health center. Entering your name, address, city and zip code will provide you with a list of centers in your area. Each listing includes the center's address, phone number, website and email address, along with the distance from your home, a map and driving directions. The United States has nearly 7,000 federally recognized health centers.

• 2

  Contact hospitals or clinics in your area. Some may offer free or low-cost health care. Even if a public or private nonprofit health care organization isn't an official HRSA-sponsored health center, the HRSA may still designate it as a "look-alike" facility, meaning that it meets the same program requirements as federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Look-alike facilities may be eligible for the services of National Health Service Corps (NHSC) professionals and HPSA (Health Professional Shortage Area) status. These federally recognized designations make it easier for such centers to recruit competent health care providers and offer quality care.

• 3

  Contact your state health services department. State departmental names may differ, but each state has a department with authority over public health and welfare. Michigan, for example, has a Department of Community Health (DCH). By contacting the Michigan DCH or visiting its website, you can get a list of health centers in your area.

  Your county probably offers a similar service. If your city, town or village doesn't have a health center or clinic, local authorities can probably direct you to the nearest facility.

• 4

  Seek specific medical assistance through a health center or organization specializing in that area of care. Planned Parenthood, for instance, specializes in reproductive health care and sex education for men and women.

• 5

  Access the resources listed above when looking for assistance with dental or mental health. For example, when you access the Delaware Uninsured Resources website, you will find contacts for mental health services, dental care, childcare, cancer care, veterans' issues, AIDS information, prescription and medication needs, and even health insurance advice.

• 6

  Call a physician in a Health Professional Shortage area or a Medically Underserved Area/Population (see Resources). Doctors and other health professionals in these federally designated geographic locations offer many of the same low-cost, no-cost and sliding-scale payment arrangements established by the HRSA.