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Free & Low-Cost Community Health Centers in Santa Cruz, CA

12 free and low-cost community health centers in Santa Cruz, 12 with sliding-scale fees, 12 accepting Medicaid.

Operated by County Of Santa Cruz

1080 Emeline Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95060-1996
Sliding scale Uninsured OK Medicaid

Services: Behavioral health, Enabling services, On-site pharmacy, Primary care, Substance-use treatment

Operated by County Of Santa Cruz

200 7th Ave
Santa Cruz, CA 95062-4668
Sliding scale Uninsured OK Medicaid

Services: Behavioral health, Enabling services, Primary care, Substance-use treatment

Every clinic above sees patients regardless of insurance, and that is the right first stop. A same-day telehealth visit is self-pay and is not billed to Medicaid, so the sliding scale usually costs less. If you need to talk to a clinician today and cannot get in:

A same-day online urgent care visit with a licensed clinician for common infections and illnesses. Prices are shown before you book; visits start at $34 and vary by clinician and location (checked August 2026).

Affiliate

Sliding-scale care in Santa Cruz: what the numbers say

Every center listed provides care regardless of your insurance status, with fees set by your income, so a visit costs less, or nothing, when you earn less. Bring a photo ID and proof of income to your first visit, and ask whether they can enroll you in Medicaid or marketplace coverage the same day.

Of the 12 centers listed in Santa Cruz, 12 offer sliding-scale fees, 12 accept Medicaid, and 12 treat uninsured patients. Call ahead to confirm new-patient availability and bring photo ID and proof of income (a paystub or self-declaration). FQHC patient navigators can enroll you in Medicaid or marketplace coverage the same day you are seen.

Services available in Santa Cruz

  • Enabling services (12 centers)
  • Primary care (10 centers)
  • Behavioral health (5 centers)
  • Substance-use treatment (3 centers)
  • Dental (2 centers)
  • On-site pharmacy (1 center)
  • Pediatrics (1 center)
  • Vision care (1 center)

Free screening programs in Santa Cruz

Common questions

Do community health centers in Santa Cruz accept Medicaid?

12 of the 12 centers listed accept Medicaid. Federally funded health centers also treat uninsured patients and charge on a sliding scale based on household income.

Is there a free or low-cost clinic in Santa Cruz?

12 of the 12 centers listed offer sliding-scale fees. Bring photo ID and proof of income to your first visit.

What services do Santa Cruz community health centers offer?

Services at the centers listed include Enabling services, Primary care, Behavioral health, Substance-use treatment, Dental.

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