1. Medi-Cal (California Medicaid) — Free
State Medicaid program providing health coverage for low-income families.
(800) 541-5555 · Statewide program · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Best Healthcare in California — 15 verified resources
About Healthcare
Healthcare for uninsured women is accessible through Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Title X family planning clinics, Planned Parenthood, free clinics, and Medicaid. FQHCs charge on a sliding scale and provide primary care, prenatal care, dental, and behavioral health — locate via the HRSA health center finder. Title X clinics offer free or low-cost contraception, STI testing, and cervical/breast screenings regardless of insurance. The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides free screenings to low-income, uninsured women. Medicaid covers pregnancy in all 50 states up to at least 138% FPL. This directory includes FQHCs, Title X clinics, free clinics, and state Medicaid offices.
15 Resources
2. Covered California — Free
State health insurance marketplace for comparing and enrolling in plans.
(800) 300-1506 · Statewide service · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm · Visit Website
3. Planned Parenthood of California
Comprehensive women's healthcare including preventive services.
(800) 230-7526 · Multiple locations statewide · Varies by location · Visit Website
4. California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative — Free
Improving maternal healthcare outcomes across California.
Stanford, CA · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
5. California Department of Public Health — Free
State public health agency with women's health programs.
(916) 558-1784 · 1615 Capitol Ave, Sacramento, CA 95814 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
6. HealthCare.gov — Free
Federal Health Insurance Marketplace — apply for coverage, see plans, and check if you qualify for Medicaid.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
7. Medicaid.gov — Free
Federal Medicaid program information and state-by-state eligibility and enrollment.
Nationwide · Online
8. HRSA — Find a Health Center — Free
Federal directory of community health centers offering sliding-scale primary care nationwide.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
9. Planned Parenthood — Free
Reproductive and sexual health care including birth control, STI testing, cancer screening, and prenatal care.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
10. Office on Women's Health (OWH) — Free
HHS office providing women's health information, helpline 1-800-994-9662, and resources.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
11. CDC Women's Health — Free
Centers for Disease Control resources on women's health topics from cancer prevention to maternal health.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
12. Susan G. Komen — Free
Breast cancer support, screening referrals, and financial assistance. 1-877 GO KOMEN helpline.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
13. American Cancer Society — Free
Free cancer information, patient support, transportation, and lodging programs. 1-800-227-2345.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
14. March of Dimes — Free
Improving maternal and infant health. Resources for pregnancy, birth defects, and NICU support.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
15. National Black Women's Health Imperative — Free
Advancing the health and wellness of Black women and girls through research, advocacy, and education.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Frequently Asked
- How many healthcare resources are in California?
- Women's Corner tracks 15 verified healthcare resources for women in California.
- Are healthcare resources in California free?
- 14 of the 15 listed healthcare resources in California are explicitly free or low-cost.
- Which cities in California have healthcare resources?
- Listings span cities including Stanford, Sacramento.
- What are some examples of healthcare resources in California?
- Featured entries include Medi-Cal (California Medicaid), Covered California, Planned Parenthood of California, California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative, California Department of Public Health.
- Do these listings include phone numbers?
- 4 of 15 California healthcare listings include verified phone numbers.
- What if I don't have insurance?
- Apply for Medicaid at Healthcare.gov or your state Medicaid office — pregnant women, parents, and low-income adults qualify in expansion states. While waiting, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) charge sliding-scale based on income for full primary, dental, mental health, and women's health care. Find one at FindAHealthCenter.hrsa.gov.
- Where do I get free women's health care?
- Planned Parenthood and FQHCs provide free or sliding-scale Pap smears, mammogram referrals, birth control, STI testing, and prenatal care. The CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program funds free screenings in every state — call 1-800-CDC-INFO. Title X clinics offer confidential family planning regardless of income or insurance.
- What if I'm pregnant and uninsured?
- Apply for pregnancy Medicaid immediately at your state Medicaid office or Healthcare.gov — pregnant women have higher income limits than regular Medicaid (up to 200% FPL in most states) and coverage starts retroactively. WIC enrollment also opens additional referrals. Most states have extended postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months after birth.
- Can I get free birth control?
- Yes. Most insurance (including Medicaid) covers all FDA-approved birth control at $0 under the ACA. Without insurance, Title X clinics and Planned Parenthood provide free or sliding-scale contraception including IUDs, implants, pills, and emergency contraception. Bedsider.org's clinic finder shows free/low-cost options near you.