Services offered
Behavioral health
Mental health counseling, therapy, psychiatric medication management, and crisis support.
Dental
Cleanings, exams, restorations, extractions, and urgent dental care on a sliding scale.
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.
Substance-use treatment
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling, and recovery support for opioid and alcohol use disorders.
Hours
48.00 hrs/wk · Full-Time
About Sterling Area Health Center
Sterling Area Health Center is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) located in Sterling, MI. 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 Sterling Area Health Center 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 Sterling Area Health Center or nearby
Every HRSA-funded FQHC offers confidential HIV testing and can prescribe PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). If Sterling Area Health Center doesn't have a dedicated HIV care program, our HIV locator shows the named PrEP-prescribing clinics and testing sites across Michigan.
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 Sterling Area Health Center 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.
Substance use treatment context
Black overdose deaths rose roughly 40% from 2019 to 2022 per CDC NVSS, the fastest-rising drug-overdose mortality of any U.S. demographic. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, is the evidence-based standard of care. FQHC-based MAT addresses access barriers that disproportionately affect Black patients (DEA-waivered prescribers are more concentrated in low-income areas via FQHCs).
Coverage + benefits in Michigan
Sterling Area Health Center accepts Michigan 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 Sterling Area Health Center offer?
Sterling Area Health Center in Sterling, Michigan offers Behavioral health, Dental, Enabling services, On-site pharmacy, Pediatrics, Primary care, Substance-use treatment.
Does Sterling Area Health Center accept Medicaid or sliding-scale fees?
Sterling Area Health Center accepts Medicaid, accepts Medicare, welcomes uninsured patients, offers sliding-scale fees based on household income.
What are the hours at Sterling Area Health Center?
48.00 hrs/wk · Full-Time
Is Sterling Area Health Center a federally qualified health center?
Yes. Sterling Area Health Center 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 Sterling Area Health Center located?
Sterling Area Health Center is at 725 E State St, Sterling, MI 48659-9548. Phone: 989-654-2491.
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.
Sterling Area Health Center 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 Sterling Area Health Center is full, too far, or not the right fit, these are your closest alternatives and the coverage help that goes with them.
Nearest clinics
- Sterling Area Health Center Standish-Sterling Community Schools Sbss Standish, MI · 2.9 mi away Sliding scale Medicaid Uninsured OK
- Sterling Area Health Center Walk In Clinic Standish, MI · 4.0 mi away Sliding scale Medicaid Uninsured OK
- Ogemaw Clinic Of Sterling Ahc Prescott, MI · 10.5 mi away Sliding scale Medicaid Uninsured OK
- Sterling Area Health Ctr Dental Alger, MI · 11.1 mi away Sliding scale Medicaid Uninsured OK
- Sterling Area Health Center Pinconning Area Schools Sbss Pinconning, MI · 12.6 mi away Sliding scale Medicaid Uninsured OK