Sliding-fee clinics: how pricing by income works
At a community health center your fee depends on your household income and size. Lower incomes pay less, insured patients are billed through their plan, and no one is turned away because they cannot pay. Care is not free for everyone: you pay a fee set by your income.
What you pay
- At or below 100% of the poverty line: the lowest fee, often a small flat charge per visit.
- 101% to 200%: a discount that steps down as income rises.
- Above 200%: the clinic's standard fee, or your insurance plan's rate if you are insured.
- Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance: the clinic bills your plan, and the sliding scale covers what insurance does not.
2026 income levels
These are the 2026 poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Alaska and Hawaii use higher figures, and each clinic sets the exact fee schedule.
| People in household | 100% of the poverty line | 200% of the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $31,920 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $43,280 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $54,640 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $66,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $77,360 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $88,720 |
Each additional person adds $5,680 to the 100% level.
What to bring to your first visit
- Photo ID.
- Proof of household income: recent pay stubs, last year's tax return, or a benefits letter. Many clinics also accept a signed statement of income.
- Your insurance card, if you have one.
- A list of your current medicines.
Services
Every community health center provides primary care. Many also offer dental care, mental health care, substance use treatment, eye exams, pharmacy services and help enrolling in Medicaid or marketplace coverage. Each clinic page shows what its health center provides and how many patients it treats in each area.
Find a clinic
Search by city or ZIP code on the home page, or browse by state. Call the clinic to book and ask for the sliding-fee application.