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

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Nevada has one of the country’s most concentrated population patterns. Roughly three-quarters of all residents live in Clark County, with most of the rest in Washoe, leaving the majority of the state’s 17 counties classified as either fully or partially medically underserved. The boom-and-bust nature of the hospitality economy means many workers cycle in and out of insurance, and the uninsured rate, though lower than before Medicaid expansion, has generally hovered around 10 to 12 percent in recent years. Free clinics in Nevada help serve those gaps through federally funded community health centers, NAFC volunteer clinics, hospital charity care, and the expanded Nevada Medicaid program.

This guide explains the four main pathways, roughly what each costs, and how to qualify. Programs, hours, and income cutoffs change frequently, so treat the figures below as a starting point and confirm the current details directly with each clinic or agency. For broader context, see our healthcare costs guide.

Types of free and low-cost clinics in Nevada

Four networks make up the safety net. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), funded under Section 330, deliver primary care to anyone regardless of insurance or immigration status. NAFC member free clinics provide no-cost or very low-cost care through volunteer clinicians. Sliding-scale practices and faith-based clinics extend reduced fees based on household income. Hospital charity care under ACA §501(r) can cover larger bills at nonprofit Nevada systems and the public hospitals that serve the largest share of uninsured patients.

Many uninsured Nevadans end up using more than one network in a given year, particularly given the gig and hospitality employment patterns common in Las Vegas and Reno. Because each clinic sets its own hours, service mix, and eligibility rules, call to confirm current hours, services, and eligibility before you travel to any location listed here.

FQHCs in Nevada and sliding-scale fees

Nevada has a handful of FQHC organizations operating roughly 50 sites, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA); the exact counts shift as centers open, close, or merge, so use the HRSA locator for the current list. Sites cluster in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and Elko, with additional locations in smaller rural communities. Services commonly include primary care, pediatrics, dental, behavioral health, women’s health, and pharmacy, though not every site offers every service.

Sliding-scale fees are tied to the HHS Poverty Guidelines, which HHS updated in January 2026 to about $15,960 for a single person and $33,000 for a family of four in the contiguous states. At or below 100% of the poverty guideline, most FQHCs charge a nominal fee, often in the range of $20 to $35 per visit, with discounts typically phasing out around 200% of the guideline. FQHCs generally accept Nevada Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, and self-pay. Exact fees vary by center, so ask about the sliding-fee schedule when you schedule.

The Nevada Primary Care Association is the state’s HRSA cooperator and maintains a directory of member centers.

NAFC and free volunteer-staffed clinics in Nevada

NAFC member clinics in Nevada are concentrated in Las Vegas and Reno. Many charge nothing or a token amount, often restrict eligibility to uninsured adults at or below a set income threshold (frequently around 200% of the poverty guideline), and operate limited evening and Saturday hours staffed by volunteer physicians, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists. Because these clinics depend on volunteers and donations, schedules and available services can change on short notice.

Services may include primary care, basic labs, chronic disease management, behavioral health, and limited specialty referrals. Some Nevada clinics focus on serving people experiencing homelessness or hospitality workers between jobs. The NAFC clinic locator lets you search by ZIP code. As always, call to confirm current hours, services, and eligibility before visiting, since a listed clinic may have changed its scope or intake process.

Hospital charity care under ACA Section 501(r)

Every nonprofit hospital in Nevada must comply with IRS Section 501(r). Each system must publish a Financial Assistance Policy (FAP), publicize it, and limit FAP-eligible charges to amounts generally billed to insured patients. University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, the public safety-net hospital in Las Vegas, operates its own charity-care program. Many Nevada nonprofit systems extend assistance to patients up to roughly 200% to 400% of the poverty guideline, but each policy differs, so read the specific hospital’s FAP.

Under federal rules you generally have at least 240 days from your first post-discharge bill to apply for financial assistance. Apply early, ask for the Financial Assistance Policy by name, and request a written copy and a written decision.

Nevada Medicaid and Nevada Check Up

Nevada adopted Medicaid expansion in 2014. Nevada Medicaid covers adults ages 19 to 64 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level, which works out to roughly $22,025 a year for a single person and about $45,540 for a family of four in 2026. Children, pregnant people, parents, and people with disabilities may qualify under separate, often more generous rules. Nevada Check Up is the state’s CHIP program, covering many children up to 200% FPL. As of January 1, 2026, Nevada extended Medicaid managed care to all 17 counties, bringing tens of thousands of rural residents into managed-care plans for the first time; if you live in a rural county, ask which plan now administers your benefits.

You can apply year-round through Nevada DWSS Access. FQHCs typically have certified application counselors who can help complete applications onsite. KFF tracks Nevada enrollment data and uninsured-rate trends. Income limits are updated when the poverty guidelines change, so verify the current figure on the DWSS site before assuming you do or don’t qualify.

How to find free clinics in Nevada near you

The HRSA Find a Health Center tool maps FQHCs by ZIP. Nevada 211 connects callers with local navigators by phone, text, or web chat and covers most US ZIP codes. The NAFC locator handles volunteer free clinics. Because directory data can lag real-world changes, treat any result as a lead to verify rather than a guarantee, and call to confirm current hours, services, and eligibility before you go.

For rural patients in Elko, Nye, Esmeralda, or other frontier counties, ask the nearest FQHC about telehealth visits. Many Nevada community health centers expanded telehealth during the pandemic and have kept it as an option, though covered services vary by center and plan.

What to bring to a clinic visit

Bring a photo ID (Nevada driver’s license, state ID, passport, or consular ID), proof of Nevada address (utility bill, lease, or recent mail), and proof of household income (recent pay stubs, last tax return, a Social Security or unemployment letter, or a self-attestation form for cash income). Bring your insurance card if you have coverage, a current medication list, and any past medical records.

If you plan to apply for Nevada Medicaid during the visit, also bring Social Security numbers for everyone in the household and immigration documents if relevant. FQHCs serve patients regardless of immigration status. Requirements can differ by clinic, so ask ahead what specific documents you’ll need.

Confirm before you go: a quick checklist

Safety-net programs shift with funding cycles, staffing, and policy changes. Before any visit, it helps to call and confirm: current hours and whether walk-ins are accepted; which services are offered that day (dental and behavioral health are often limited); the income cutoff and what proof is required; whether the clinic is accepting new patients; and any nominal fee you should expect. A five-minute phone call can prevent a wasted trip and set expectations on cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are FQHCs in Nevada really free?

Not always fully free, but they are required to serve you regardless of ability to pay. At or below 100% of the poverty guideline, FQHCs typically charge a nominal fee (often around $20 to $35 per visit), and federal rules prohibit them from refusing care for inability to pay. Ask about the nominal-fee and sliding-fee policy when scheduling, since amounts vary by center.

What is Nevada Check Up?

Nevada Check Up is the state’s CHIP program for children in households up to about 200% FPL who don’t qualify for full Medicaid. It covers comprehensive pediatric benefits, commonly including dental, vision, prescriptions, and well-child visits, usually with low or no monthly premiums. Confirm current income limits and premiums with DWSS.

Can undocumented immigrants use Nevada free clinics?

Yes. FQHCs and NAFC free clinics serve patients regardless of immigration status. Full Nevada Medicaid is generally restricted to citizens and certain lawfully present immigrants, but emergency Medicaid can cover emergency care for otherwise income-eligible noncitizens. Rules can change, so verify current eligibility with DWSS or a clinic’s application counselor.

What if I work in hospitality and my insurance just lapsed?

You may qualify for Nevada Medicaid right away if your income drops below 138% FPL. A special enrollment period on the ACA Marketplace also generally opens within 60 days of losing job-based coverage. FQHCs can often see you on a sliding scale while you transition between options. Confirm deadlines and eligibility before assuming which path fits.

Do Nevada free clinics help with prescriptions?

Many do. FQHCs often operate onsite 340B pharmacies with discounted drug prices, and NAFC clinics frequently help eligible patients enroll in manufacturer patient assistance programs for free or reduced-cost brand-name drugs. Bring your medication list and ask what each clinic offers.

Getting affordable care in Nevada

Nevada’s safety net is concentrated where the population is, with FQHCs and NAFC clinics anchoring care in Clark and Washoe counties and rural FQHCs covering frontier communities. Between federal health centers, volunteer free clinics, charity care at nonprofit hospitals, and expanded Nevada Medicaid, most uninsured Nevadans have at least one viable affordable option, but availability and eligibility differ by location and change over time. For ongoing primary care without insurance, our guide to direct primary care explains how flat-fee monthly memberships work alongside the safety net. Neighboring states with comparable networks include Arizona, Utah, and California.

Sources

• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Find a Health Center and Health Center Program, hrsa.gov
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2026 HHS Poverty Guidelines, aspe.hhs.gov
• Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services / Nevada Medicaid, dwss.nv.gov
• Nevada Primary Care Association, nvpca.org
• Internal Revenue Service, Section 501(r) charity-care requirements, irs.gov
• National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics, clinic locator, nafcclinics.org
• KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), state health facts and Medicaid tracking, kff.org