Services offered
Behavioral health
Mental health counseling, therapy, psychiatric medication management, and crisis support.
Enabling services
Transportation, translation, case management, outreach, and patient navigation.
On-site pharmacy
Discounted prescription fills, often through 340B pricing.
Pediatrics
Well-child visits, immunizations, and pediatric sick care.
Primary care
Routine adult and family medicine, annual exams, chronic disease management.
Hours
Full-Time
About Golden Valley Health Centers
Golden Valley Health Centers is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) located in Merced, CA. Fees are assessed on a sliding scale based on household income, uninsured patients below 200% of the federal poverty line typically pay a nominal fee of $0 to $30 per visit. The center accepts Medicaid, Medicare, commercial insurance, and uninsured patients.
Community Health Centers like Golden Valley Health Centers play a critical role in serving Black families and other historically underserved populations. They are required by federal rule to accept patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, and they integrate medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services in a single location.
HIV testing + PrEP at Golden Valley Health Centers or nearby
Every HRSA-funded FQHC offers confidential HIV testing and can prescribe PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). If Golden Valley Health Centers doesn't have a dedicated HIV care program, our HIV locator shows the named PrEP-prescribing clinics and testing sites across California.
Mental health + behavioral health context
Black adults are about half as likely to receive mental-health treatment as white adults despite similar prevalence rates per SAMHSA, with cost and provider trust as the largest documented barriers. FQHC behavioral-health services like those at Golden Valley Health Centers use sliding-scale fees that make care accessible regardless of insurance status. If you're in crisis, dial or text 988 for the 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Pediatric care for Black families
Black infants in the U.S. have approximately twice the mortality rate of white infants per CDC NVSS data, preterm birth and SIDS are leading drivers. FQHC pediatric services include well-child visits, developmental screening, and Vaccines for Children (VFC) coverage for uninsured kids. Children covered by Medicaid (CHIP in some states) get all VFC vaccines at no cost.
Coverage + benefits in California
Golden Valley Health Centers accepts California Medicaid. FQHC certified application counselors typically cross-enroll Medicaid + WIC + SNAP at the same visit. Anyone enrolled in Medicaid is automatically income-eligible for WIC under federal adjunctive eligibility (7 CFR 246.7).
Frequently asked questions
What services does Golden Valley Health Centers offer?
Golden Valley Health Centers in Merced, California offers Behavioral health, Enabling services, On-site pharmacy, Pediatrics, Primary care.
Does Golden Valley Health Centers accept Medicaid or sliding-scale fees?
Golden Valley Health Centers accepts Medicaid, accepts Medicare, welcomes uninsured patients, offers sliding-scale fees based on household income.
What are the hours at Golden Valley Health Centers?
Full-Time
Is Golden Valley Health Centers a federally qualified health center?
Yes. Golden Valley Health Centers is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) funded by HRSA Section 330. FQHCs are required by federal rule to accept patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, and they integrate medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services.
Where is Golden Valley Health Centers located?
Golden Valley Health Centers is at 737 W Childs Ave, Merced, CA 95341-6805. Phone: 209-383-1848.
Please verify before visiting. Hours, services, and insurance acceptance can change. Call the center directly to confirm they're open and accepting new patients before you go. Data last verified on April 24, 2026.
Golden Valley Health Centers and the sliding-scale alternatives listed below are the right first stop. A same-day telehealth visit is self-pay and is not billed to Medicaid. If nothing nearby can see you soon:
Affiliate
Where to go next
If Golden Valley Health Centers is full, too far, or not the right fit, these are your closest alternatives and the coverage help that goes with them.
Other clinics in Merced
- Gvhc - Merced Suites Merced, CA · 0.0 mi away Sliding scale Medicaid Uninsured OK
- Gvhc - Senior Health And Wellness Center Merced, CA · 0.0 mi away Sliding scale Medicaid Uninsured OK
- Gvhc - Merced Women's Clinic Merced, CA · 0.1 mi away Sliding scale Medicaid Uninsured OK
- Central Valley Pace - Merced Merced, CA · 0.1 mi away Sliding scale Medicaid Uninsured OK
- East Campus Health Center Merced, CA · 1.5 mi away Sliding scale Medicaid Uninsured OK