Free Health Clinics in NYC

Urgent care clinics and community health clinics are popular forms of care, however, health clinics are oftentimes more affordable. Services covered at health clinics include sexual health, immunizations, and tuberculosis. The cost for services at community health clinics depends on your income, your location, services provided, and your insurance coverage.

Health Clinics vs. Urgent care Centers

Urgent care clinics and community health clinics are among some of the most popular types of care.

Urgent care clinics, such as CityMD, ProHealth, GoHealth, FastMed, and more, treat acute but non-critical injuries and illnesses. Just about 35% of patients visiting urgent care clinics have no PCP, therefore, some clinics make it a priority to help patients establish a relationship with a doctor. In comparison, emergency rooms treat critical conditions, and PCPs and specialists may treat both acute and chronic conditions.

Some services that are typically offered by urgent care clinics include:

• Minor fractures
• X-rays
• Back pain
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Minor headaches
• Blood work
• Bumps, cuts, and scrapes

Community health centers are typically not-for-profit, and usually, government-supported independent local clinics serve under-served populations and offer limited medical services to the community for free or at a low cost. 

Some services that community health centers offer can be seen below.

Services Offered at NYC Health Clinics

New York City Health Department clinics offer patients sexual health, immunization, and Tuberculosis (TB) services, regardless of immigration status.

Sexual Health

These facilities provide low and no-cost confidential services for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. You can get more information online about Sexual Health Clinics, including clinic services, locations, and hours.

Immunization

At immunization clinics, you can get required vaccinations for children (ages 4 and older) to attend school, and for adults to attend college. 

Immunization Clinics also offer seasonal flu shots and other recommended vaccines such as:

• Childhood vaccinations
• Adult vaccinations
• Seasonal flu shots

Tuberculosis (TB)

Anyone at risk for TB can get a free evaluation and treatment at a TB Clinic. You must schedule an appointment first by calling the TB Clinic you plan to visit. TB clinics can perform:

• TB testing and diagnosis
• Treatment for latent TB infection and active TB disease

Health Insurance and Billing Practices

The clinics above accept all types of insurance, including:

• Medicare Part B
• Fee-for-Service Medicaid
• Medicaid Managed Care
• Affinity Health Plan
• AmeriChoice
• Amerigroup
• EmblemHealth (GHI/HIP)
• Healthfirst
• HealthPlus Amerigroup
• MetroPlus.

If you do not have health insurance or cannot pay the fee, you can still get services.

Health insurance and billing practices vary by the type of clinic and may also depend on the patient’s age, family size, and income.