Key takeaways
- Nearly 1 in 4 people in Houston has no health insurance. That does not mean you are out of options.
- Medicaid and CHIP cost little or nothing if you qualify, but most working-age Texas adults without children or a disability don't.
- TRS Health offers $50 primary care visits with no insurance required, no citizenship questions, and same-day appointments available.
- Labs, ultrasound, psychiatric care, prescriptions, and weight management are available at transparent self-pay prices, most of it in one building in Stafford.
- Not sure where to start? Call (281) 385-8554 and the front desk will help you figure it out, even if the answer is somewhere other than us.
Why so many Houstonians are uninsured
Houston doesn't have an access problem in the traditional sense. The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical complex in the world. The problem is cost and eligibility.
The Texas Medicaid coverage gap
Texas did not expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. That left a group of working-age Texans in what's known as the coverage gap: they earn too much for traditional Medicaid but not enough to get help buying marketplace insurance. In most states, those people would have coverage. In Texas, they don't.
KFF estimates about 570,000 Texas adults fall into the coverage gap.[3] Most are working adults, often in jobs that don't offer health benefits.
Gig workers, tradespeople, and the self-employed
Rideshare drivers, delivery workers, plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, landscapers, housecleaners, restaurant workers, freelancers, and small business owners usually don't get coverage through an employer. Before tax credits, the benchmark silver plan in Texas averages about $661 a month for a 40-year-old in 2026.[4] For someone making $40,000 a year, that's not a realistic expense.
So people skip the doctor. A problem that could have been handled at a $50 visit can turn into an emergency room bill in the thousands months later.
What Houston's uninsured rate looks like
In the city of Houston, 23.7% of residents had no health insurance in the most recent Census survey.[1] Across Harris County it's about 20%, roughly two and a half times the national rate.[2] That's a higher rate than almost any other major US city. The concentration is heaviest in immigrant communities, gig and trade workers, and people who earn just above the limit for government programs.
Your real options for healthcare without insurance
There are three categories worth knowing. Each one fits a different situation.
Government programs that cost little or nothing if you qualify
Medicaid, CHIP, Medicaid for Pregnant Women, CHIP Perinatal, and Healthy Texas Women are free or close to free for residents who qualify. The catch is that Texas has narrow eligibility, especially for adults without children or a disability. If you qualify for one of these programs, use it. The coverage is comprehensive.
Nonprofit and community clinics
Houston has community health centers and nonprofit clinics that serve patients regardless of insurance or immigration status. Some charge on a sliding scale based on income. Some are completely free. Wait times and availability vary. The program finder below lists the ones we know and trust.
Self-pay clinics, when none of the above apply
If you don't qualify for a government program and you need to be seen now, a self-pay clinic is the practical option. TRS Health is a nonprofit clinic that charges $50 for a primary care visit. No insurance required. No citizenship questions. Labs, imaging, and prescriptions are available at transparent, affordable prices.
Find programs that match your situation
Every legitimate option we know of in Houston, free programs first. Tap a tag to narrow the list.
Children's Medicaid (STAR)
Free, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for children in lower-income Texas families. Once enrolled, your child has full coverage at thousands of doctors, dentists, hospitals, and pharmacies statewide with no copays. Renew when HHSC sends a renewal letter.
Apply online at YourTexasBenefits.com. The application takes about 45 minutes and most families get a decision within 30 days. You apply once and the state automatically checks whether your child qualifies for Medicaid or CHIP, so there's no need to figure that out yourself.
Even if you think you earn too much to qualify, apply anyway. Income limits in Texas are higher than most people expect, and there's no penalty for being denied.
What it covers
- ✓ Doctor visits
- ✓ Dental & vision
- ✓ Hospital stays
- ✓ Prescriptions
- ✓ Immunizations
- ✓ Mental health
Medicaid for Pregnant Women
Free comprehensive coverage for pregnant Texas women including prenatal visits, labor and delivery, hospital stay, and a full 12 months of postpartum care. Coverage starts as soon as you're approved and continues through pregnancy plus a year after delivery.
Once approved, you'll be assigned to a managed care organization that helps you find an OB-GYN, schedule prenatal visits, and access mental health support if needed. Apply at YourTexasBenefits.com or by calling 1-877-541-7905.
The 12-month postpartum extension is relatively new. Texas previously only covered 60 days after delivery. If you delivered recently and were dropped from Medicaid after 60 days, you may be able to be re-enrolled.
What it covers
- ✓ All prenatal visits
- ✓ Labor & delivery
- ✓ Hospital stay
- ✓ Postpartum (12 months)
- ✓ Mental health support
- ✓ Prescriptions
CHIP Perinatal
Prenatal care, labor and delivery, and 12 months of postpartum coverage for pregnant women who don't qualify for Medicaid. The most important thing to know: CHIP Perinatal covers women regardless of immigration status. If you're undocumented or have a complicated immigration situation and you're pregnant, this is your option.
Coverage is provided through a managed care organization and includes prenatal vitamins, ultrasounds, standard prenatal visits, hospital delivery, and postnatal checkups. No enrollment fee and no copays.
Apply at YourTexasBenefits.com. Same application as Medicaid and CHIP.
What it covers
- ✓ Prenatal visits
- ✓ Labor & delivery
- ✓ Hospital stay
- ✓ Postpartum (12 months)
- ✓ Available regardless of status
Medicaid for Adults
Texas Medicaid has limited adult eligibility because Texas did not expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Working-age adults without kids and without a disability typically do not qualify, regardless of income. This is what's known as the Texas 'coverage gap' and it affects millions of Texans.
You may qualify for Texas Medicaid if you're a parent or caretaker of a child who has Medicaid (income limits are very low), pregnant, considered disabled by the Social Security Administration, or 65+ with limited income and assets. Apply at YourTexasBenefits.com to find out for sure.
If denied, you'll be redirected to the ACA marketplace where you may qualify for premium subsidies, often making coverage much more affordable than people expect.
What it covers
- ✓ Doctor visits
- ✓ Hospital stays
- ✓ Prescriptions
- ✓ Mental health
- ✓ Long-term care (if applicable)
CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)
Low-cost health coverage for children in Texas families that earn too much for Medicaid but can't afford private insurance. Annual enrollment fee is $0 to $50 per family depending on income, plus small copays for office visits and prescriptions: $3 to $5 for lower-income families and $20 to $35 for higher-income families.
CHIP covers all the same services as Medicaid: doctor visits, hospital stays, immunizations, dental, vision, and mental health. The provider network is comparable.
Same application as Medicaid at YourTexasBenefits.com. You apply once and the system places your child in whichever program they qualify for. Renewal happens every 12 months.
What it covers
- ✓ Doctor visits
- ✓ Dental & vision
- ✓ Hospital stays
- ✓ Prescriptions
- ✓ Immunizations
- ✓ Mental health
Healthy Texas Women
Free women's preventive and reproductive care for eligible Texas women ages 18 to 44 (and 15 to 17 with parental consent). Covers annual exams, birth control, STI testing and treatment, breast and cervical cancer screenings, blood pressure checks, cholesterol screening, diabetes screening, and postpartum depression screening.
It is not full medical coverage, and it does not cover pregnancy itself or general primary care for issues unrelated to reproductive health. But it covers a lot of what women need on an ongoing basis.
Apply online at HealthyTexasWomen.org. If approved, you can see any provider in the Healthy Texas Women network. Many community clinics in Houston accept it.
What it covers
- ✓ Annual well-woman exam
- ✓ Birth control
- ✓ STI testing
- ✓ Cancer screenings
- ✓ BP / cholesterol / diabetes checks
- ✓ Postpartum mental health
WIC
A nutrition program providing a monthly food package plus a fruit and vegetable cash benefit, breastfeeding support, nutrition counseling, and referrals to other services for pregnant women, postpartum women, infants, and children under 5.
WIC is not health insurance. It's a supplemental program that helps families afford healthy food during a critical period. Benefits are loaded onto an EBT card you swipe at most major Texas grocery stores.
Apply at your local WIC clinic. First visits typically take 1 to 2 hours. You'll need proof of income, proof of identity, proof of address, and bring the child(ren) being enrolled. You do not need to be on Medicaid to qualify.
What it covers
- ✓ Food benefits (EBT)
- ✓ Breastfeeding support
- ✓ Nutrition counseling
- ✓ Referrals to other services
Texas Health Steps
Free preventive checkups for children and teens enrolled in Texas Medicaid, from birth through age 20. Includes routine medical checkups (more frequent for younger kids), dental checkups starting at 6 months, vision screening, hearing screening, immunizations, behavioral health screening, and lab work as needed.
These visits cost nothing if your child is on Medicaid. Texas requires the program for all Medicaid-enrolled kids as part of the federal EPSDT mandate.
Most Texas Medicaid plans have a list of approved Texas Health Steps providers. Call 1-877-THSTEPS to find one near you, or ask your child's pediatrician if they participate.
What it covers
- ✓ Medical checkups
- ✓ Dental checkups (6 months+)
- ✓ Vision & hearing screening
- ✓ Immunizations
- ✓ Behavioral health screening
Memorial Hermann Health Centers for Schools
Free medical care at school-based clinics on HISD and Aldine ISD campuses, plus virtual care through Hazel Health. Memorial Hermann operates roughly 10 fixed school clinics and 3 mobile dental units across the greater Houston area.
Services include sick visits, immunizations, sports and school physicals, mental health counseling, dental cleanings, and chronic disease management for enrolled students. No insurance required.
Hazel Health provides free virtual visits (medical and mental health) for HISD and Aldine ISD students at school or at home. Parents can request a video visit during the school day or after hours. The Nimitz Health Center serves Aldine ISD students specifically and has been operating since 2014.
What it covers
- ✓ Sick visits
- ✓ Sports physicals
- ✓ Immunizations
- ✓ Mental health counseling
- ✓ Dental (some campuses)
- ✓ Free virtual care via Hazel Health
Houston Health Department Immunizations
Free or low-cost vaccines for children, teens, and adults at Houston Health Department locations across the city. Call 832-393-5427 to schedule an appointment at a location near you. Required school vaccines, catch-up doses for kids behind schedule, and adult vaccines including flu, COVID-19, Tdap, shingles, and HPV.
They serve everyone regardless of insurance, immigration status, or ability to pay. If you have insurance, bring your card and they may bill it. No one is denied for inability to pay.
What it covers
- ✓ Required school vaccines
- ✓ Catch-up immunizations
- ✓ Adult flu, COVID, Tdap, shingles, HPV
Healthcare for the Homeless, Houston
The only Houston clinic dedicated exclusively to people experiencing homelessness. Provides primary care, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy services, podiatry, vision, TB and STI testing, plus a Street Medicine program that goes directly to encampments and shelter locations.
Services are completely free. They never charge patients and never bill for services. Nine service sites across Harris County, including dedicated clinics at the Star of Hope and Salvation Army shelters.
Walk-ins accepted. You do not need a permanent address, government ID, or insurance to be seen. They help patients establish those things as part of care.
What it covers
- ✓ Primary care
- ✓ Dental
- ✓ Behavioral health
- ✓ Pharmacy
- ✓ Podiatry & vision
- ✓ Street Medicine program
- ✓ TB & STI testing
TRS Health
Highly-rated nonprofit clinic serving Houstonians who fall through the cracks. You don't qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. You have steady income but you don't want to sink hundreds a month into insurance you barely use. You're waiting on a program decision and need to be seen now. You're visiting from another country and need a doctor while you're here.
Primary care visits are $50 and insurance is never required. Affordable mental health, labs, imaging, and pharmacy on-site. Sliding-scale rates available and no citizenship questions. No one is turned away.
TRS Health has been featured on ABC13 and partners with local government and community organizations that share our mission.
What it covers
- ✓ $50 primary care visits
- ✓ Chronic disease management
- ✓ $80-$100 mental health services
- ✓ Men's, Women's, and Pediatric health
- ✓ Affordable lab work, medications, and imaging
- ✓ Immunizations
ACA Marketplace (Healthcare.gov)
The federal health insurance marketplace where Texas residents buy individual and family health plans. Most enrollees qualify for premium tax credits that significantly reduce monthly costs.
Plans cover doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, mental health, preventive care, and maternity. Open Enrollment runs annually from November 1 to January 15. Outside that window, you can only enroll if you've had a Qualifying Life Event in the past 60 days.
Apply at Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. Most people complete enrollment in 30 to 60 minutes. Texas has dozens of free, certified enrollment helpers (called 'Navigators') if you want in-person guidance.
What it covers
- ✓ Doctor visits
- ✓ Hospital stays
- ✓ Prescriptions
- ✓ Mental health
- ✓ Preventive care
- ✓ Maternity coverage
Medicare + Texas HICAP
Federal health insurance for people 65 and older, plus certain people with disabilities or end-stage renal disease. Medicare is not free. Part A (hospital) is typically free if you've worked enough quarters, but Part B (medical) has a monthly premium that's usually deducted from your Social Security check. Part D (prescriptions) requires separate enrollment and has its own premium.
You'll need to choose between Original Medicare (A + B + a Part D plan and often a Medigap supplement) and Medicare Advantage (Part C, which bundles everything through a private insurer with different trade-offs).
The choice is high-stakes and confusing. Texas HICAP provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling to seniors and caregivers. They are not insurance sales people. They will not try to sell you anything. Call 1-800-252-9240 or visit tdi.texas.gov/consumer/hicap to find a counselor in your area.
What it covers
- ✓ Hospital stays (Part A)
- ✓ Doctor visits (Part B)
- ✓ Prescriptions (Part D)
- ✓ Preventive care
- ✓ Skilled nursing (limited)
- ✓ Hospice care
VA Healthcare
Comprehensive medical care for US military veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Costs depend on your eligibility category. Many veterans receive most or all services free; others pay copays based on income and service-connected disability rating.
Covers primary care, mental health (priority access for combat veterans), specialty care, surgeries, prescriptions through VA pharmacies, hearing aids, eye care, and prosthetics. Houston has the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center plus multiple community-based outpatient clinics across the metro area.
You must enroll to receive VA care. Apply online at va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply, by phone (1-877-222-8387), or in person at any VA facility. Once enrolled, an income change generally affects your priority group and copays, not your enrollment status.
What it covers
- ✓ Primary care
- ✓ Mental health (priority for combat vets)
- ✓ Specialty care
- ✓ Surgeries
- ✓ Prescriptions
- ✓ Hearing aids
- ✓ Eye care
- ✓ Prosthetics
2-1-1 Texas
A free statewide referral service operated by Texas HHSC that connects you to local resources for healthcare, food, housing, child care, utility assistance, mental health crisis support, and disaster recovery.
Call 2-1-1 (or 1-877-541-7905) and speak with a trained navigator who will ask about your situation and search a database of thousands of programs to find what you qualify for. They can also help you apply, schedule appointments, or transfer you directly to other services.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in English and Spanish, with phone interpretation available for additional languages. If you feel overwhelmed by all the options on this page or don't know where to start, this is the right call to make first.
What it covers
- ✓ Healthcare referrals
- ✓ Food assistance
- ✓ Housing & shelter
- ✓ Child care
- ✓ Utility & rental assistance
- ✓ Crisis support
- ✓ Disaster relief
No programs match those filters.
Try fewer filters or clear them to see all options.
Insurance or self-pay: when the math works
Who qualifies for premium tax credits
Marketplace plans can be heavily subsidized. If your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, you may qualify for premium tax credits that lower your monthly cost.[5] The larger "enhanced" credits of recent years expired at the end of 2025, so earning even a little over 400% now means no credit at all. For some lower-income households, that can bring coverage down to a small monthly cost.
Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment
Open Enrollment on HealthCare.gov runs from November 1 to January 15. Sign up by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.[6] Outside that window, you can only enroll if you've had a Qualifying Life Event in the past 60 days: losing job-based coverage, getting married, having a baby, moving to a new ZIP code, or becoming a US citizen.
When the math works and when it doesn't
If you qualify for a large subsidy or have ongoing health needs, a marketplace plan usually makes sense. Insurance also protects you from what a clinic can't: hospital stays, surgery, and specialist care can cost far more than a year of premiums.
If you're healthy, rarely see a doctor, and don't qualify for much help, paying $50 per visit when you need one may cost less over a year than premiums plus a high deductible. Run the numbers for your situation. And if you do have insurance, TRS Health accepts most major plans. See self-pay prices and accepted insurance.
Affordable self-pay primary care in Houston
How self-pay pricing works
A self-pay clinic charges a set price per visit instead of billing insurance. At TRS Health, the price is on our website, stated when you book, and confirmed at the front desk before your visit starts. No surprise bills weeks later.
$50 primary care visits at TRS Health
Primary care visits at TRS Health are $50 if you're uninsured. You can also choose to self-pay if you have insurance. Many patients with high-deductible plans find a $50 visit costs less than what they'd pay out of pocket before their deductible kicks in. Sliding-scale rates exist below that for patients who genuinely can't afford $50, and no one is turned away for inability to pay. If cost is a concern, call (281) 385-8554 before your visit.
What the visit covers
The $50 covers your time with a licensed physician or nurse practitioner, the exam, diagnosis, and treatment plan. Labs, imaging, and prescriptions are separate but priced transparently, well below what an uninsured patient pays at a hospital. At our Stafford clinic, the lab and TRS Pharmacy are in the same building, so most patients leave with what they need. Learn more about primary care without insurance.
Chronic conditions without insurance
Unmanaged chronic conditions are among the most expensive things that can happen to an uninsured patient. A $50 visit to check your blood pressure is not expensive. An ER visit for a hypertensive crisis is. TRS Health manages diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders, asthma, and COPD on a self-pay basis. When you book, you can choose a specific provider, so you can keep seeing someone who knows your history. See chronic care at TRS Health.
Same-day and Saturday appointments
Our Stafford clinic is open Monday through Saturday, 9am to 5pm, and same-day appointments are common. Our Aldine clinic is open Saturdays only, 9am to 5pm, which helps if you can't leave a job site on a weekday. Walk-ins are welcome, but booking ahead is the best way to guarantee your spot, especially on Saturdays.
Mental health care without insurance
Why mental health gets skipped
Mental health care is often the first thing people cut when they don't have insurance. Therapy paid out of pocket averages around $150 a session nationally, and often more.[7] Psychiatric care is harder to find and often more expensive. So people who need help go without it until things get significantly worse.
Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
TRS Health offers psychiatric evaluations and ongoing medication management for anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and other conditions. You don't need a referral or a prior diagnosis. If it's affecting your day-to-day life, that's reason enough to book. Our psychiatry team includes Dr. Mustafa Zaidi, MD and psychiatric nurse practitioners, who see patients in person and by telehealth.
Telehealth across Texas
Psychiatric visits are available by telehealth anywhere in Texas, not just Houston. Initial consultations and follow-ups can both be done remotely, which helps if you want privacy, live outside Houston, or can't take time off work. Learn more about mental health care.
What it costs
The initial psychiatric consultation is $100. Follow-up visits are $80. Sliding-scale rates are available for patients who can't afford those prices, and most major insurance plans are accepted.
Lab work without insurance
On-site blood work
Labs are drawn on-site at our Stafford clinic. No separate trip to an outside lab. If your provider orders labs during your visit, draws are usually done the same day.
Common panels and what they cost
- Standard Health Panel, $100: complete blood count, kidney function, liver function, lipids, diabetes screening, and thyroid function.
- Comprehensive Health Panel, $150: everything in the standard panel plus in-depth thyroid and iron levels for anemia.
- Thyroid Panel, $60
- Vitamin Panel, $100: vitamin D, B12, and folate.
- Pap smear with reflex HPV testing, $150
- Rapid respiratory panel, $110: COVID-19, flu A and B, and strep A, with results in minutes.
These are our self-pay prices. If you have insurance, we bill your plan. See the full lab menu.
STD testing without insurance
STD testing is available without insurance, without judgment, and without questions about immigration status. Our STD panel covers chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, and herpes simplex virus 2 for $125. Results are private and protected under HIPAA.
Imaging without insurance
On-site ultrasound and fibroscan
Abdominal, pelvic, thyroid, and soft-tissue ultrasounds are done on-site in Stafford for $95. Fibroscans, which measure liver scarring and fat without needles, are $95. This matters especially for patients managing hepatitis or fatty liver disease.
X-ray, MRI, CT, and echocardiogram through our partner network
For imaging we don't do on-site, TRS Health has negotiated self-pay rates with partner imaging centers across Houston, well below what a hospital charges an uninsured patient. You'll need a provider order. If you don't have one, you can get one at a $50 primary care visit. Learn more about imaging.
Prescriptions without insurance
TRS Pharmacy, in the same building
TRS Pharmacy is in the same building as our Stafford clinic. If your provider prescribes something during your visit, you can usually fill it before you leave, at cash prices that are often lower than big chain pharmacies. Insurance is also accepted at the pharmacy.
"The fees are the most affordable in town … the pharmacy drugs are cheaper than Walmart."
GoodRx and other discount programs
GoodRx is free and works at most chain pharmacies. It can significantly lower the cash price of common generics. Manufacturer patient assistance programs exist for expensive brand-name medications and are worth looking into if there's no cheap generic. Our front desk can point you in the right direction if cost is a concern.
Medical weight loss without insurance
What semaglutide and tirzepatide cost without coverage
At list price, brand-name Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound run roughly $1,000 to $1,350 a month.[8] The manufacturers now sell some of them directly to self-pay patients for less: Wegovy runs $149 to $399 a month depending on form and dose,[9] and Zepbound vials start at $299 a month.[10] Many insurance plans restrict coverage for weight loss, so even insured patients often pay out of pocket. Compounded versions of the same active ingredients are significantly more affordable and available through a licensed provider.
How our weight management program works
TRS Health offers medically supervised weight loss with compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide. The program is self-pay only. It starts with a $50 primary care visit where your provider reviews your health history and goals, orders baseline labs if needed, and decides on the right medication and starting dose.
- Compounded semaglutide: $95 – $185 per month depending on dose, or a 90-day starter bundle for $270 (saves ~$70 vs. monthly).
- Compounded tirzepatide: $170 – $425 per month depending on dose, or a 90-day starter bundle for $425 (saves ~$235 vs. monthly).
Follow-up visits are billed as standard $50 primary care visits. Learn more about weight management.
Special situations
Undocumented patients
TRS Health sees patients regardless of immigration status. No documentation is required to be seen and no one asks about citizenship. Patient information is protected under HIPAA and is not shared with immigration authorities. If you're pregnant, CHIP Perinatal covers your full pregnancy and 12 months after delivery regardless of immigration status.
Tourists and visitors
Visiting Houston from another state or country and need a doctor? We can see you. No Texas residency or US insurance required, and the $50 self-pay rate applies wherever you're from. Call (281) 385-8554 to book or check same-day availability.
Seniors new to Medicare
TRS Health accepts Medicare, including Medicare Advantage plans. If you're turning 65, your enrollment window opens three months before your birthday month and closes three months after. Missing it can mean lifetime late penalties. Texas HICAP offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling at 1-800-252-9240. Once you're enrolled, TRS Health can be your primary care home for checkups, sick visits, and chronic care.