Blog
Guides and insights on accessing affordable healthcare, understanding your options, and navigating community health centers.
What Is an FQHC? Free and Low-Cost Clinics Explained
FQHCs serve over 30 million Americans. Here's what makes them different from a regular doctor's office and why they may be your best option for affordable primary care.
How the Sliding Fee Scale Works at Free Clinics
No insurance? Low income? Here's exactly how FQHCs calculate what you pay — and how to prepare for your first visit.
Finding Affordable Dental Care: What FQHCs Offer
Dental care is one of the most unaffordable services in the US. FQHCs are required to offer it — and many have same-week availability.
Getting Mental Health Care at a Community Health Center
Many FQHCs embed behavioral health providers directly in primary care. Learn what services are available, typical wait times, and how integrated care works.
How FQHCs Can Help You Get Health Insurance
Most community health centers have eligibility workers on staff who can enroll you in Medicaid, CHIP, or Marketplace coverage — for free.
How to Read FQHC Quality Ratings and HRSA Awards
HRSA Quality Leader awards, UDS data, and CHQR badges — here's how to actually interpret quality metrics when comparing community health centers.
Can't Afford Your Prescription? Try a Community Health Center
If you are paying full price at the pharmacy counter, you may be paying far more than you have to. Community health centers can fill the same prescriptions for a few dollars — here is how to ask.
No ID or Pay Stub? What to Do Before Your Clinic Visit
Missing paperwork is one of the most common reasons people put off making an appointment. Here is what community health centers usually ask for, and what to do when you do not have it.
Clinic, Urgent Care, or ER? How to Decide
Going to the emergency room for something a clinic could handle is one of the most expensive mistakes in American healthcare. Here is how to tell the difference.
What Actually Happens at Your First Clinic Visit
If you have not seen a doctor in years, the unknown is often the thing holding you back. Here is the visit from walking in to walking out.
You Have Insurance and Care Is Still Too Expensive. Now What?
A high deductible can leave you paying full price all year. Community health centers are not only for the uninsured — and for some people with coverage, they cost less.