What is a Health Center?

Health centers are local clinics. They treat people’s medical, dental, mental health, substance use, and other health care needs.

All health centers:

• Are community-based and led in part by patients
• Focus on meeting the needs of the people and areas they serve
• Provide a full range of care. They have doctors, dentists, therapists, social workers, eye doctors, obstetricians/gynecologists, pediatricians, case managers, and other medical staff.
• Adjust their fees based on income and family size

Many health centers:

• Offer care in multiple languages. They can provide interpretation and translation services.
• Can help with transportation if patients have trouble getting to a clinic.
• Have on-site pharmacies that provide discounted prescription drugs.

Who do health centers serve?

Health centers provide care to people and groups who find it difficult to access health care. This includes:

• People without homes
• Migrant farm workers
• People who live in public housing
• Veterans

About 90% of health center patients have incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level.

What must health centers do?

We require health centers to comply with all Health Center Program requirements. Health centers must:

• Have a governing board where a majority of its members are patients
• Focus on the needs of the groups of people and the areas they serve
• Develop systems of care that center on the patient
• Serve everyone, even if they cannot pay
• Charge for services on a sliding fee scale
• Provide all required services
• Follow everything else the Compliance Manual requires

How do I find a health center?

Use the Find a Health Center tool to locate a health center clinic near you. The site provides contact information and directions to each location.