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I need to see a doctor but can't afford it

No insurance and no money doesn't mean no care. New Hampshire has clinics that see everyone regardless of ability to pay, and coverage you can apply for any time. Here's what to do — and how a case manager can help.

Is this an emergency?

If you're having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room — by law they must treat you regardless of insurance or ability to pay. This guide is for non-emergency care.

What you can do right now

Get seen this week, and get covered for next time.

1
Go to a Community Health Center (sliding scale)
Community Health Centers see everyone regardless of ability to pay and charge on a sliding scale based on your income and family size — often just a small fee. Find the nearest one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov or call 211. Bring proof of income and household size to set your fee.
2
Apply for Medicaid — you can apply any time
NH Medicaid is free or very low-cost coverage with no open-enrollment window. Apply at nheasy.nh.gov or call 1-844-275-3447. See our step-by-step Medicaid guide.
3
Ask the hospital for financial assistance (charity care)
Every NH hospital must offer free or discounted care to low-income and uninsured patients. Ask Patient Financial Services for a financial assistance application — you usually have up to 240 days from the date of care to apply, even after a visit.
4
Save on prescriptions
Ask about the pharmacy discount at a health center, and compare prices with a free GoodRx coupon. NeedyMeds and RxAssist list programs that give some medications free to people without coverage.

How a case manager can help

If you're helping a client meet this need.

Locate the nearest Community Health Center (FQHC), help book an intake, and prepare the client's income/household proof so the sliding-fee discount is applied at the first visit.
Start the Medicaid application together on NH EASY, and screen for retroactive Medicaid to cover recent bills.
Request each hospital's financial-assistance (charity care) application, help complete it, and note the filing deadline (up to ~240 days from service).
Set up prescription savings — health-center 340B pharmacy, GoodRx, or a manufacturer patient-assistance program — for the client's specific medications.
For uninsured hospital bills, remind the client (and biller) of NH's cap on what uninsured patients can be charged, and connect to 603 Legal Aid for disputes.
Connect the client to a Volunteers in Medicine or other free clinic if they aren't yet Medicaid-eligible.