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New Hampshire has one of the lower uninsured rates in the country, around 5% of working-age adults, but the cost of staying insured remains punishing for many residents. The state runs Medicaid expansion through the Granite Advantage Health Care Program, which has weathered several political and legal turns since 2014, and the underlying safety net of FQHCs, NAFC clinics, and hospital charity care continues to absorb residents who fall outside Medicaid eligibility. Free clinics in New Hampshire are particularly important for the North Country, where the nearest hospital can be an hour or more away.
This guide explains the four main pathways, what each costs, and how to qualify. Program rules, clinic hours, and eligibility limits change, so treat the specifics below as a starting point and always call ahead to confirm current details. For broader cost context, see our healthcare costs guide.
Types of free and low-cost clinics in New Hampshire
Four networks make up the New Hampshire safety net. Federally Qualified Health Centers, funded under Section 330, anchor primary care for low-income residents and serve everyone regardless of insurance. NAFC member free clinics deliver volunteer-staffed care at little or no cost. Sliding-scale and faith-based clinics extend reduced fees by household income. Hospital charity care under ACA Section 501(r) covers larger bills at every nonprofit hospital, including Dartmouth Health, Catholic Medical Center, Concord Hospital, Wentworth-Douglass, and Elliot.
The four networks overlap. A patient might see an FQHC primary care doctor, get a dental cleaning at a NAFC clinic, qualify for Granite Advantage mid-year, and apply for charity care to reduce an old ER bill, all in twelve months. Because each network sets its own hours, services, and eligibility, call any clinic to confirm what it offers before you rely on it.
FQHCs in New Hampshire and sliding-scale fees
New Hampshire has roughly a dozen FQHC organizations operating about 50 sites statewide, per the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Concentrations exist in Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Portsmouth, and across the North Country in Berlin and Lancaster. Services typically include primary care, pediatrics, dental, behavioral health, women’s health, and pharmacy, though the exact mix varies by site — call to confirm current hours, services, and eligibility.
Sliding-scale fees follow the HHS Poverty Guidelines, which for 2026 are about $15,960 for a single person and $33,000 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states. (These guidelines are updated annually, so verify the current figures when you apply.) At or below 100% of the poverty level, most FQHCs charge a nominal fee — often in the range of $20 to $35 per visit — and discounts generally extend up to 200% of the poverty level. FQHCs accept New Hampshire Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, and self-pay, and federal rules prohibit them from turning patients away for inability to pay.
The Bi-State Primary Care Association serves both New Hampshire and Vermont under HRSA cooperative agreements and lists member health centers; it is a useful directory when you are not sure which center is closest.
NAFC and free volunteer-staffed clinics in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s NAFC member clinics are concentrated around the Seacoast, Manchester, Nashua, and the Lakes Region. Many charge nothing, restrict eligibility to uninsured adults at or below a set income limit (often around 200% of the poverty level), and operate limited evening and Saturday hours staffed by volunteer physicians, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists. Because these clinics are volunteer-run, hours and available services can change month to month — call to confirm current hours, services, and eligibility before visiting.
Services often include primary care, basic labs, chronic disease management, behavioral health, and limited dental. Specialty referrals are sometimes handled through volunteer networks, which may include cardiology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology in larger metros. The NAFC clinic locator lets you search by ZIP code; confirm any listing directly with the clinic, since directory details can lag behind real-world changes.
Hospital charity care under ACA Section 501(r)
Every nonprofit hospital in New Hampshire must comply with IRS Section 501(r), meaning a written Financial Assistance Policy, public posting, and capped charges for FAP-eligible patients. Many New Hampshire systems extend assistance up to somewhere between 200% and 400% of the poverty level, and Dartmouth Health’s program is often cited as among the more generous in New England. The exact income thresholds differ by hospital, so ask each one directly.
You generally have at least 240 days from your first post-discharge bill to apply. Apply early, ask for the Financial Assistance Policy by name, and request a written copy. If a bill is already in collections, applying for charity care can still help, so do not assume it is too late.
Granite Advantage Health Care Program (NH Medicaid) and CHIP
New Hampshire adopted Medicaid expansion in 2014 and reauthorized it as the Granite Advantage Health Care Program in 2018. NH Medicaid covers adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level — roughly $22,000 a year for a single person under the 2026 guidelines. Children, pregnant people, parents, and people with disabilities qualify under separate, more generous income rules, and the state operates CHIP within Medicaid for children up to a higher income threshold. Eligibility rules and any enrollment conditions for the expansion population can change with state and federal policy, so confirm your status when you apply.
Apply year-round through NH EASY, the state’s online benefits portal. FQHCs typically have certified application counselors who can help you enroll for free. KFF tracks New Hampshire enrollment data and uninsured-rate trends if you want to see how the program is changing over time.
How to find free clinics in New Hampshire near you
The HRSA Find a Health Center tool maps every FQHC by ZIP. 211 New Hampshire connects callers with local navigators 24/7 and can point you to nearby clinics, prescription help, and enrollment assistance. The NAFC locator handles volunteer free clinics. Whichever tool you use, call the clinic itself to confirm current hours, services, and eligibility, because online listings are not always up to date.
For rural patients in Coos, Carroll, or Grafton counties, ask the closest FQHC about telehealth visits. Most New Hampshire community health centers expanded telehealth during the pandemic and have kept at least some virtual options, which can save a long drive.
What to bring to a clinic visit
Bring a photo ID (New Hampshire driver’s license, state ID, passport, or consular ID), proof of New Hampshire address (utility bill, lease, or 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 carry coverage, a current medication list, and any past medical records you can gather.
If you plan to apply for Granite Advantage 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, and NAFC free clinics generally do the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are FQHCs in New Hampshire really free?
Not always fully free, but they are affordable and cannot turn you away for inability to pay. At or below 100% of the poverty level, FQHCs typically charge a nominal fee, often around $20 to $35 per visit. Ask about the nominal-fee and sliding-scale policy when you schedule.
What is the Granite Advantage Health Care Program?
Granite Advantage is New Hampshire’s Medicaid expansion program for adults up to 138% of the poverty level. Coverage generally includes primary care, hospital care, prescriptions, mental health, dental for children, limited adult dental, vision, and many specialty services. Most FQHCs and major hospital systems accept it, but confirm acceptance and current benefits with the provider.
Can undocumented immigrants use New Hampshire free clinics?
Yes. FQHCs and NAFC free clinics serve patients regardless of immigration status. NH Medicaid itself is restricted to citizens and certain lawfully present immigrants, but emergency Medicaid can cover emergency care for income-eligible noncitizens.
Do New Hampshire free clinics help with prescriptions?
Many do. FQHCs often operate onsite 340B pharmacies with discounted drug prices, and NAFC clinics frequently enroll eligible patients in manufacturer patient assistance programs for free or low-cost brand-name drugs. Bring your medication list and ask what is available at that site.
What happens if I have a hospital bill I can’t pay?
Apply for the hospital’s Financial Assistance Policy, generally within 240 days of your first post-discharge bill. Many New Hampshire nonprofit systems reduce or forgive bills for patients up to somewhere between 200% and 400% of the poverty level. Do not ignore the bill, and request the policy in writing.
Quick summary: New Hampshire’s safety net runs through four overlapping pathways — FQHCs, NAFC volunteer clinics, sliding-scale and faith-based clinics, and hospital charity care — plus the Granite Advantage Medicaid expansion for adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level (about $22,000 a year for one person in 2026). FQHCs serve everyone regardless of insurance or immigration status. Hours, services, income limits, and program rules change often, so always call the clinic to confirm current hours, services, and eligibility before you go. This guide is informational, not legal or medical advice; for emergencies call 911 or 988.
Getting affordable care in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s safety net is small but well-organized. Between FQHCs across every region, NAFC volunteer clinics in the major metros, charity care at every nonprofit hospital, and the Granite Advantage Health Care Program for expansion-eligible adults, almost every uninsured Granite Stater has at least one viable affordable option — but you will usually need to call ahead to confirm the details. 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 Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont.
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 Section 501(r) charity care can apply to ER bills at nonprofit hospitals.