Benefits

Community Health Centers in California — low-cost medical care for immigrants

FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers) in California: primary medical care with sliding fee scale, regardless of immigration status. Dental, mental health, pharmacy services.

Flag: Original: Donald Graeme Kelley Vectorization: Devin Cook · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons

Community Health Centers (FQHC) in California

California at a glance

California is home to about 10,479,526 foreign-born residents (26.7% of the state’s 39,242,785 people) and 15,630,830 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (39.8%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2023 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in California regardless of immigration status unless noted.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) are the most important low-cost medical care network in US for uninsured or underinsured people. They serve EVERYONE regardless of immigration status.

How FQHCs work — the short version

A Federally Qualified Health Center is a nonprofit clinic funded under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. Three things matter in practice: every site must serve you regardless of immigration status, fees follow a sliding scale based on income (a pay stub is usually enough proof), and most California locations put primary care, pediatrics, dental, mental health, and a low-cost pharmacy under one roof. No insurance is required, and in areas with large Spanish-speaking populations, bilingual staff are the norm.

For the full guide — typical services, what to bring to a first visit, and how the sliding fee scale is calculated — see the national community health centers guide.

Important: Public Charge Rule

Using FQHCs does NOT affect your immigration case. Public Charge Rule doesn’t consider low-cost medical services. See Public Charge Rule.

FQHC locations in California: the real numbers

California has 2,730 active federally funded health center sites, per HRSA's Health Center Service Delivery Sites file. Every one of them is required to serve you regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. The cities with the most locations:

City	FQHC sites
Los Angeles	267
San Diego	97
San Francisco	73
Oakland	70
San Jose	67

Coverage by county

County	Sites
Los Angeles	741
San Diego	275
Orange	167
Alameda	145
Riverside	111
Fresno	99
Sacramento	90
Santa Clara	89

Major health center sites you can call today

Health center site	City	Phone
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital	San Francisco	(415) 206-8238
House Of Uhuru	Los Angeles	(323) 778-5290
Janus of Santa Cruz	Santa Cruz	(831) 462-1060
Greenville Rancheria Tribal Administration	Red Bluff	(530) 528-8600
Children'S Hospital Medical Center Of Northern Ca	Oakland	(510) 428-3783
WellSpace Health - South Valley Community Health Center	Sacramento	(916) 236-4701
WellSpace Health - Galt Community Health Center	Galt	(916) 737-5555
Community Medical Centers, Mobile Community Response Team Office	Stockton	(833) 311-2273

Source: HRSA Health Center Service Delivery and Look-Alike Sites (retrieved 2026-06-10; refreshed quarterly). Hours and walk-in policies change — call before visiting, or search every site at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

Last verified: 2026-05-25.

General information, not medical advice. For specific care, talk to a medical provider.

Last verified: 2026-05-25.

General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.

Federal benefits eligibility by immigration status — who qualifies for what
Find legal aid in your state — public-benefits appeals
ITIN for tax-funded benefits — eligibility requires SSN or ITIN
Consulate of your country — many offer financial-assistance referrals
Know Your Rights — public-benefits enrollment — agency confidentiality limits

Frequently asked questions

Do FQHCs in California ask immigration status?

NO. FQHCs are legally required to serve EVERYONE regardless of immigration status, ability to pay, or insurance. Your information is not shared with immigration authorities.

How much do FQHC services cost in California?

FQHCs use ‘sliding fee scale’: families below Federal Poverty Level pay $0-$25 per visit; higher incomes pay based on income, but NEVER more than commercial price. Minimum fee usually $20-$30.

What services do FQHCs in California offer?

Primary medical care (adults and kids), pediatrics, gynecology and prenatal, mental health and counseling, basic dental services, low-cost pharmacy, vaccines, school/work physicals, chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension).

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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.