Indiana expanded Medicaid in 2015 through the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) 2.0, a unique waiver-based model that includes premium contributions for many enrollees. Combined with the state’s Hoosier Healthwise program for children and pregnant women, the 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.
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, 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 categories. FQHCs are HRSA-funded community health centers that serve everyone on a sliding scale. Volunteer-run free clinics affiliated with the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics serve uninsured patients below specific income limits — 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. 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/Porter counties), Fort Wayne, South Bend, Evansville, and rural counties. By federal rule, FQHCs must accept all patients regardless of insurance status and charge on a sliding scale tied to the HHS Poverty Guidelines. The 2024 federal poverty level was $15,060 for a single adult and $31,200 for a family of four, with discounts typically extending up to 200 percent of FPL.
Services include adult and pediatric primary care, prenatal care, dental, behavioral health, substance use counseling, and 340B pharmacy programs. The Indiana Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) represents the state’s FQHCs. Many sites offer telehealth and Spanish-language services.
NAFC and free volunteer-staffed clinics in Indiana
Indiana has a strong free clinic network, with the Indiana Association of Community Economic Development / Indiana Free Clinics coordinating many member sites alongside NAFC accreditation. Free clinics typically serve uninsured adults below 200 percent of FPL using volunteer physicians, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists, with donated supplies and sample medications.
Many clinics focus on chronic disease management — diabetes, hypertension, heart disease — which are heavily prevalent across rural Indiana. Faith-based clinics and student-run clinics affiliated with IU School of Medicine and other Indiana medical programs also serve uninsured patients. The NAFC clinic locator lists accredited member clinics by ZIP code.
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 between 200 and 400 percent of FPL.
Apply by requesting a financial assistance application from the hospital’s billing office, providing proof of income, residency, and household size. Many Indiana hospitals — IU Health, Ascension, Community Health Network, Parkview — publish financial assistance policies online. Apply early; most policies allow retroactive applications, but some have time limits.
Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), Hoosier Healthwise, and CHIP
Indiana’s Medicaid expansion is delivered through HIP (Healthy Indiana Plan), which covers adults up to 138 percent of FPL 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. Hoosier Care Connect serves seniors and people with disabilities.
You can apply through the FSSA Benefits Portal, by phone, or in person. CHIP is integrated within Hoosier Healthwise. If you’re just above HIP limits, marketplace subsidies through HealthCare.gov are usually substantial, and a direct primary care membership can pair well with a higher-deductible plan.
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 Indiana connects you to local social services and clinic referrals. The Indiana Department of Health and county health departments provide immunizations, family planning, STI testing, and other services.
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, 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.
FQHCs are required to provide interpreter services at no charge under federal civil rights rules. Spanish-language access is widely available; some clinics also offer Burmese, Arabic, and Swahili in cities with refugee resettlement populations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are FQHCs really free in Indiana?
FQHCs charge on a sliding scale, not free for everyone. Patients well below the federal poverty level may pay a nominal fee of $20 to $35 per visit; some sites waive the fee entirely for the lowest income tier. Bring income documentation to intake.
What’s the difference between HIP Plus and HIP Basic?
HIP Plus requires monthly POWER Account contributions (typically $1 to $20 depending on 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 a better deal for active healthcare users.
Can undocumented immigrants use FQHCs and free clinics in Indiana?
Yes. FQHCs serve patients regardless of immigration status, do not report patient information to immigration authorities, and accept patients without a Social Security number. Most NAFC free clinics do the same. HIP and Hoosier Healthwise 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 FPL. Per KFF, the HIP model is unique among expansion states because of its premium contributions and tiered benefits.
What if I miss a HIP POWER Account payment?
Missing a HIP Plus payment can move you to HIP Basic (with copays and no dental/vision) for adults above 100 percent of FPL, or in some cases trigger a temporary lockout. Set up automatic payments if possible. If you’ve been disenrolled, contact your managed care entity 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 with HIP, Hoosier Healthwise, or Hoosier Care Connect eligibility — most uninsured Hoosiers qualify for one of these programs. If you’re above HIP limits, an FQHC sliding-scale visit usually beats marketplace coverage for occasional primary care, and Indiana’s robust 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.