Finding Healthcare

Federally Qualified Health Centers

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) or Community Health Centers (CHCs) are health clinics that receive federal funding to provide primary healthcare to anyone who needs it. Primary healthcare is usually what a family doctor does - wellness checks, help with managing chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure, and who you see if you are just generally not feeling well. These clinics serve low income and uninsured clients. Most FQHCs accept health insurance, including Medicaid and CHIP, and state programs like Healthy Texas Women. They also will see you if you don’t have insurance and you can get services on a sliding fee, based on your income. FQHCs often have staff that can help you apply for other benefits, programs, or insurance that may help you get the healthcare services you want.

While FQHCs focus on primary healthcare, most FQHCs offer sexual and reproductive healthcare services too. This includes birth control services, cancer screenings, and STI and HIV testing and treatment.

Although several FQHCs in Texas are Title X clinics, not all of them are. This means that it may be difficult for a minor (someone under the age of 18) to get birth control without a parent or guardian’s permission. It also may mean that while you can get services on a sliding fee, you may have to pay for birth control or other prescriptions. Also, because FQHCs are focused on primary healthcare, it may be difficult to schedule an appointment for only sexual and reproductive healthcare services without first scheduling a wellness visit.

The Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC) has a lookup tool to help you find your local FQHC. We suggest you call the clinic and ask them what services they provide when you are looking to make an appointment.

Local Health Departments

Many city or county health departments across Texas provide a variety of sexual health services, including sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing and treatment as well as birth control services.

The Texas Department of State Health Services maintains a listing of local health departments. The departments are listed alphabetically, and it might be worth your time to call your local health department to see what services they offer.

Again, while several local health departments are Title X clinics, not all of them are. That means that the type of sexual and reproductive healthcare services offered may be very limited. Minors may need permission from their parent or guardian to get services. Also, each local health department has different policies about how much things cost—so be sure to ask what you will need to pay to receive a service you’re looking for.

Other Resources

There may be other healthcare providers in your area that offer free or low-cost sexual and reproductive healthcare services. Power to Decide maintains an online health center finder that is a great way to find a provider nearby.

More and more companies are offering mail order birth control, like the pill, the ring, and the patch. Bedsider has a great article on birth control delivery services—and a lookup to help you find one. But you may still have to pay for your birth control if you don’t have health insurance.