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

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Wisconsin has a unique Medicaid story. Although the state did not adopt full ACA expansion, BadgerCare Plus covers childless adults up to 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) through a Section 1115 waiver — a partial expansion that, in practice, closes the coverage gap that leaves some low-income adults uninsured in other non-expansion states. Even so, working adults who earn just above BadgerCare’s tight childless-adult limit often fall between the cracks, which makes free clinics in Wisconsin especially important. The state has a strong FQHC network, dozens of charitable free clinics, and large nonprofit hospital systems with Section 501(r) charity-care policies. This guide walks through every layer of the safety net so you can find affordable care. Program rules and clinic details change, so always call ahead to confirm current hours, services, and eligibility before you go.

Types of free and low-cost clinics in Wisconsin

Wisconsinites typically access affordable care through four channels: FQHCs and FQHC look-alikes (sliding-scale, federally funded); charitable free clinics affiliated with the Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (WAFCC) and the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC); hospital charity care under ACA Section 501(r); and BadgerCare Plus (Wisconsin Medicaid plus CHIP). Most residents who need help touch more than one — for example, an FQHC primary care visit followed by a hospital charity-care application for a specialist bill.

The healthcare costs guide compares these public options with cash-pay primary care and direct primary care models.

FQHCs in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has roughly 18 HRSA-funded FQHC organizations operating well over 100 delivery sites (site counts change over time — verify locally). Major networks include Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers in Milwaukee, Marshfield Clinic Health System, Access Community Health Centers in Madison, and Family Health La Clinica. The Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association is the state primary care association. Federal rules require every FQHC to charge on a sliding scale tied to the HHS Poverty Guidelines. For 2026, the federal poverty level is $15,960 for one person and $33,000 for a family of four (higher in Alaska and Hawaii). The simplest national locator is HRSA’s findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

Wisconsin FQHCs generally offer primary care, prenatal care, pediatrics, behavioral health, dental, and 340B-discounted pharmacy. Visit fees in the lowest income tier are often around $0 to $35, and no patient is turned away for inability to pay. Call the specific clinic to confirm which services it offers, whether it is accepting new patients, and what the sliding-fee schedule looks like for your household.

NAFC and free volunteer-staffed clinics in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (WAFCC) coordinates dozens of volunteer-staffed clinics across the state — including major operations like Bread of Healing Clinic in Milwaukee and many smaller community clinics. NAFC’s national directory is at nafcclinics.org. These clinics typically serve uninsured adults below roughly 200% FPL at no charge or a token donation, though income thresholds, hours, and covered services vary widely by clinic. Call to confirm current hours, services, and eligibility before you visit.

Because Wisconsin did not fully expand Medicaid, charitable clinics here often see working adults between 100% and 138% FPL who would qualify for Medicaid in expansion states and who may find Marketplace coverage unaffordable in a given year.

Hospital charity care under ACA Section 501(r)

Every nonprofit hospital in Wisconsin — including systems such as Advocate Health (Aurora), Froedtert ThedaCare, UW Health, SSM Health, Bellin, and Marshfield — must publish a financial assistance policy under Section 501(r). Many Wisconsin nonprofit hospitals offer free care up to roughly 200–250% FPL and discounted care up to about 400% FPL, but the exact thresholds differ by system, so check each hospital’s policy. The IRS rules are at the 501(r) page.

Always request the financial assistance application before paying a hospital bill. Hospitals must generally accept applications for at least 240 days after the first post-discharge billing statement. If you are unsure whether you qualify, ask the hospital’s financial counselor to review your situation.

BadgerCare Plus and CHIP

BadgerCare Plus is Wisconsin’s Medicaid program. In general it covers childless adults up to 100% FPL, parents and caretaker relatives up to 100% FPL, children up to about 306% FPL, pregnant women up to about 306% FPL, and separately covers seniors and people with disabilities through related programs. The 100% FPL childless-adult cap is unusual — Wisconsin opted for a partial expansion via a federal waiver rather than full ACA expansion. Income limits and percentages are updated periodically, so verify the current figures. Apply at access.wisconsin.gov or by calling 800-362-3002.

Adults between 100% and 138% FPL who do not qualify for BadgerCare can shop on the federal Marketplace at healthcare.gov, where premium tax credits reduce the cost of coverage. Important 2026 update: the enhanced premium tax credits first enacted in 2021 expired at the end of 2025, so for 2026 many enrollees saw sharply higher net premiums, and near-$0 silver plans are less common than in recent years. You may still qualify for meaningful subsidies depending on income and household size — check current pricing during open enrollment at HealthCare.gov rather than assuming a plan is free. Congress could adjust these rules again, so confirm the latest before you enroll.

How to find a clinic near you

Three searches cover most cases: HRSA’s findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov; the WAFCC and NAFC directories; and 211 (which covers the large majority of US ZIP codes) by dialing 2-1-1 or visiting 211.org. Wisconsin 211 also handles prescription assistance, dental programs, and social-services referrals. When you find a clinic, call first to confirm it is open, accepting patients, and able to help with your specific need.

For predictable primary care outside the safety net, some Wisconsinites use direct primary care memberships — flat monthly fees, often in the $50–100 range, for unlimited visits and discounted labs. This is not insurance, so most people pair it with a plan for hospital and specialty coverage.

What to bring to a visit

Bring photo ID; proof of Wisconsin residency (a utility bill or lease); proof of household income (pay stubs, a Social Security or unemployment letter, or a self-attestation if you have no documentation); a list of medications; and any prior records. At an FQHC, ask for the sliding-fee schedule and a BadgerCare Plus application — most clinics have certified application counselors who can help you enroll, sometimes the same day. Requirements vary, so call ahead to confirm exactly what to bring.

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 (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty), severe difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, a head injury with loss of consciousness, or thoughts of harming yourself. For a mental health crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 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.

Frequently asked questions

Are free clinics in Wisconsin really free?

WAFCC and NAFC member clinics typically charge nothing for qualifying uninsured low-income patients, though some request a small donation. FQHCs use a sliding scale with the lowest tier often as low as $0 to $35, and no one is turned away for inability to pay. Call the specific clinic to confirm its current fees and eligibility.

Did Wisconsin expand Medicaid?

Wisconsin did not adopt full ACA Medicaid expansion. Instead, a Section 1115 waiver extends BadgerCare Plus to childless adults up to 100% FPL — a partial-expansion approach that avoids a true coverage gap. Adults between roughly 100% and 138% FPL typically rely on Marketplace subsidies instead. Verify current income limits, which change over time.

What if I live near Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, or Illinois?

FQHCs generally serve patients regardless of where they live, though Medicaid is state-specific. See the Minnesota free clinics guide, Michigan free clinics guide, Iowa free clinics guide, or Illinois free clinics guide.

Does BadgerCare cover adult dental?

BadgerCare Plus covers comprehensive pediatric dental and a limited set of adult dental services; specifics change, so verify current coverage. FQHCs and free clinics often supplement on a sliding-scale or volunteer basis.

Can I get specialty care at a free clinic in Wisconsin?

Some Wisconsin free clinics partner with volunteer specialists. FQHCs typically refer to community specialists who work with sliding-scale or charity-care arrangements. Hospital charity care often covers downstream specialty bills if you qualify. Ask each clinic what specialty referrals it can arrange.

Getting care you can afford in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s safety net works, but its partial Medicaid expansion creates an unusual seam. If you earn under 100% FPL, apply for BadgerCare Plus first. If you earn between 100% and 138% FPL, the Marketplace is often the next step — but with enhanced premium tax credits expired for 2026, compare current prices at HealthCare.gov rather than assuming coverage is free. For everyone in transition, an FQHC sliding-scale visit and a WAFCC charitable-clinic option are reliable starting points, and always request Section 501(r) charity care for any nonprofit hospital bill before paying. Call ahead to confirm hours, services, and eligibility, and with the right combination of programs, no Wisconsinite needs to skip primary care because of cost.

Sources

• HRSA — Find a Health Center (findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov)
• HHS / ASPE — 2026 Poverty Guidelines ($15,960 for one person; $33,000 for a family of four, contiguous states)
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services — BadgerCare Plus and ForwardHealth eligibility (Section 1115 childless-adult waiver)
• IRS — Section 501(r) requirements for charitable hospitals
• Wisconsin Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (WAFCC) and National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC)
• KFF / Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker — 2026 ACA Marketplace premiums and the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits
• 211 Wisconsin (211.org)