Free & Low-Cost Clinics in Indiana: FQHCs, Sliding-Scale, and Safety-Net Care

Indiana expanded Medicaid in 2015 through the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) 2.0, a distinctive waiver-based model that includes premium-style contributions for many enrollees. Combined with the state’s Hoosier Healthwise program for children and pregnant women, a solid FQHC network, and hospital charity care, Indiana now covers most residents — but plenty still face affordability gaps. Free clinics in Indiana, federally qualified health centers, sliding-scale practices, and hospital charity programs all combine to fill those gaps. This guide walks through each option for residents from Indianapolis to the Region to Southern Indiana. Because clinic details change often, treat everything here as a starting point and call ahead to confirm current hours, services, and eligibility before you go.

When to seek emergency care: Free clinics, FQHCs, and sliding-scale clinics are not equipped to handle medical emergencies. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience chest pain, signs of stroke, severe difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, a head injury with loss of consciousness, or a mental health crisis (call or text 988). Federal law (EMTALA) requires emergency rooms to stabilize you regardless of your ability to pay, and ACA §501(r) charity care can apply to ER bills at nonprofit hospitals.

Types of free and low-cost clinics in Indiana

Indiana’s safety-net providers fit into four broad categories. FQHCs are HRSA-funded community health centers that serve everyone on a sliding scale. Volunteer-run free clinics — many affiliated with the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics — serve uninsured patients below specific income limits, and Indiana has a particularly active free-clinic network. Sliding-scale and faith-based clinics charge based on what you can afford. Nonprofit hospitals must provide charity care under ACA §501(r).

Each lane has its own paperwork and eligibility rules, and those rules (plus hours and which patients a clinic is currently accepting) can shift from month to month — so call the specific clinic to confirm before relying on it. Our healthcare costs guide covers the broader landscape of paying for care without insurance.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Indiana

Indiana has a strong FQHC presence concentrated in Indianapolis, the Region (Lake and Porter counties), Fort Wayne, South Bend, Evansville, and many rural counties. By federal rule, FQHCs must accept all patients regardless of insurance status or immigration status and must charge on a sliding scale tied to the HHS Poverty Guidelines. Those guidelines are updated every January; for 2026 they are approximately $15,960 for a single adult and $33,000 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states, with sliding-scale discounts typically extending up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Because the figures change annually, confirm the current-year numbers when you apply.

Services generally include adult and pediatric primary care, prenatal care, dental, behavioral health, substance-use counseling, and 340B pharmacy programs, though exact offerings vary by site — call to confirm what a given location provides. The Indiana Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) represents the state’s FQHCs, and many sites offer telehealth and Spanish-language services.

NAFC and free volunteer-staffed clinics in Indiana

Indiana has a robust free-clinic network coordinated in part through statewide free-clinic associations alongside NAFC accreditation. Free clinics typically serve uninsured adults below 200 percent of the federal poverty level using volunteer physicians, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists, with donated supplies and sample medications. Income limits, service days, and appointment requirements differ from clinic to clinic, so always call first to confirm eligibility and hours.

Many clinics focus on chronic-disease management — diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease — which are prevalent across rural Indiana. Faith-based clinics and student-run clinics affiliated with the IU School of Medicine and other Indiana medical and nursing programs also serve uninsured patients, though student-run sites often keep limited seasonal hours. The NAFC clinic locator lists accredited member clinics by ZIP code; verify each listing directly, since volunteer clinics update schedules frequently.

Hospital charity care under ACA §501(r)

Hospital bills are a leading driver of medical debt in Indiana. Under ACA §501(r), every nonprofit hospital must publish a written financial-assistance policy and limit charges for charity-eligible patients to amounts generally billed to insured patients. Most Indiana nonprofit hospitals set their thresholds somewhere between 200 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level, but the exact cutoffs vary by system — check each hospital’s current policy.

Apply by requesting a financial-assistance application from the hospital’s billing office and providing proof of income, residency, and household size. Major Indiana systems — IU Health, Ascension, Community Health Network, Parkview, and others — publish financial-assistance policies online. Apply early: most policies allow retroactive applications, but some have time limits, so do not wait for a bill to reach collections.

Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), Hoosier Healthwise, and CHIP

Indiana’s Medicaid expansion is delivered through the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), which covers adults up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level with a tiered structure. HIP Plus includes vision, dental, and richer benefits with a monthly POWER Account contribution. HIP Basic covers basic services with copays but no monthly contribution. Hoosier Healthwise covers children, pregnant women, and parents with very low income, and Hoosier Care Connect serves seniors and people with disabilities. Program rules and contribution amounts can change, so confirm current details with the state.

You can apply through the FSSA Benefits Portal, by phone, or in person. CHIP is integrated within Hoosier Healthwise. If you are just above HIP limits, marketplace subsidies through HealthCare.gov are often substantial, and a direct primary care membership can pair well with a higher-deductible plan for routine care.

How to find a clinic near you in Indiana

HRSA’s Find a Health Center tool maps every federally funded health center in Indiana. The NAFC directory lists volunteer free clinics. Calling or texting 211 (via 211 Indiana) connects you to local social services and clinic referrals. County health departments and the Indiana Department of Health provide immunizations, family planning, STI testing, and other services. Whichever tool you use, call the clinic directly to confirm it is open, accepting new patients, and offers the service you need.

For neighboring states, see our guides to free clinics in Illinois, free clinics in Kentucky, free clinics in Ohio, and free clinics in Michigan.

What to bring to a free or low-cost clinic visit

Bring a photo ID, proof of household income (pay stubs, a tax return, or self-attestation if no documentation exists), proof of Indiana residency, and any insurance cards. Have a written list of current medications with dosages and any prior medical records — labs, imaging, and discharge summaries help at intake. For dependents, bring birth certificates and immunization records. Requirements vary by clinic, so ask what to bring when you call to schedule.

FQHCs are required to provide interpreter services at no charge under federal civil-rights rules. Spanish-language access is widely available; some clinics in cities with refugee resettlement populations also offer Burmese, Arabic, and Swahili interpretation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are FQHCs really free in Indiana?

FQHCs charge on a sliding scale — they are not free for everyone. Patients well below the federal poverty level may pay only a nominal fee per visit, and some sites waive the fee entirely for the lowest income tier. Bring income documentation to intake, and ask the specific clinic how its sliding scale works.

What’s the difference between HIP Plus and HIP Basic?

HIP Plus requires monthly POWER Account contributions (generally a modest amount that scales with income) but includes dental, vision, and richer benefits with no copays. HIP Basic has no monthly contribution but charges copays per service and offers more limited benefits — for example, dental is generally not covered. HIP Plus is usually the better value for people who use care regularly. Confirm current contribution and benefit rules with Indiana Medicaid.

Can undocumented immigrants use FQHCs and free clinics in Indiana?

Yes. FQHCs serve patients regardless of immigration status, do not require a Social Security number, and are focused on care rather than immigration enforcement. Most NAFC free clinics do the same. HIP and Hoosier Healthwise, by contrast, generally require lawful immigration status.

Does Indiana have Medicaid expansion?

Yes. Indiana expanded Medicaid in 2015 through the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) 2.0 waiver, covering adults up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Per KFF, the HIP model is unusual among expansion states because of its premium-style contributions and tiered benefits.

What if I miss a HIP POWER Account payment?

Missing a HIP Plus payment can move some enrollees to HIP Basic (with copays and reduced benefits) or, in certain cases, trigger a temporary coverage gap. Set up automatic payments if possible. If you have been disenrolled, contact your managed care entity or the state quickly to discuss reinstatement options.

Getting care you can afford in Indiana

Indiana’s HIP-based Medicaid expansion is unusual, but the state’s overall safety net is well developed. Start by checking HIP, Hoosier Healthwise, or Hoosier Care Connect eligibility — most uninsured Hoosiers qualify for one of these programs. If you are above HIP limits, an FQHC sliding-scale visit often beats marketplace coverage for occasional primary care, and Indiana’s free-clinic network fills specific dental and chronic-disease needs. Apply for hospital charity care before bills hit collections; the rules under §501(r) work, but only if you submit the paperwork — and call each clinic or program first to confirm the current details.