Healthcare Guide · Nashville
Community health centers in Nashville
How federally supported clinics provide primary care, pediatrics, women's health, mental health, and prescription help — at prices based on your income.
Last updated
Affordable primary care for everyone
Community health centers provide affordable medical care for people who are uninsured, underinsured, or living on a limited income. Many patients pay based on their household income instead of a standard office visit fee.
If you need regular healthcare but cannot afford a traditional doctor's office, a community health center may be one of the best places to start.
What is a community health center?
Community health centers are community-based clinics, most of them nonprofits, that receive federal support to serve patients regardless of ability to pay.
Many centers offer care to:
- Uninsured adults
- People with high insurance deductibles
- Low-income families
- Children
- Seniors
- Immigrants and refugees
- People experiencing homelessness
Most patients are accepted whether they have private insurance, TennCare, Medicare, or no insurance at all.
Many community health centers are nonprofits that do not ask about immigration status. Policies can change, so ask the clinic when you call.
Where to start
- HRSA Find a Health Center: search by address for federally funded health centers near you that charge based on income.
- Neighborhood Health (federally qualified health center, sliding fee): 615-227-3000, neighborhoodhealthtn.org. Clinics across Nashville, including Casa Azafrán, 2195 Nolensville Pike, and Welshwood, 419 Welshwood Dr (medical and dental).
- Connectus Health (federally qualified health center; primary care, midwifery, and women's health): 615-292-9770, connectus.org. Antioch, 3754 Murfreesboro Pike; Vine Hill, 601 Benton Ave.
- Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center (federally qualified health center): 1035 14th Ave N, 615-327-9400, mwchc.org.
- Metro Public Health Department, Lentz Public Health Center, 2500 Charlotte Ave, 615-340-5616: immunizations, WIC, children's dental care, and other public health services.
Who qualifies?
Every clinic has its own policies, but many accept anyone seeking primary healthcare.
If you do not have insurance, you may qualify for a sliding fee scale, where the cost of your visit is based on your income and family size.
You may be asked to provide proof of income to determine your discount.
Services you can receive
Many Nashville community health centers provide much more than routine doctor visits.
Common services include:
- Primary care
- Annual physicals
- Sick visits
- Vaccinations
- Pediatric care
- Women's health exams
- Birth control counseling
- Mental health counseling
- Behavioral health services
- Diabetes and blood pressure management
- Prescription assistance
- Laboratory testing
- Health education
Some locations also offer dental care, pharmacy services, and referrals to specialists.
Prescription assistance
If medication costs are preventing you from receiving treatment, many community health centers can help.
Depending on your situation, they may:
- Prescribe lower-cost generic medications
- Connect you with prescription assistance programs
- Refer you to discounted pharmacies
- Help determine whether you qualify for insurance coverage
Always ask about medication assistance during your appointment.
What is a sliding fee scale?
A sliding fee scale reduces the cost of medical visits based on your household income. Patients with lower incomes generally pay less than the standard office visit cost.
You may need documents such as:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Proof of income
- Recent pay stubs
- Tax return
- Proof of address
- Information about everyone living in your household
Even if you cannot provide every document immediately, many clinics will explain what is needed before your first visit.
What should you bring?
Before your appointment, gather:
- Photo identification
- Insurance card (if you have one)
- List of current medications
- Medical records if available
- Proof of income (if applying for reduced fees)
- Proof of address
- Emergency contact information
Having these documents ready can help speed up registration.
Community health centers help reduce healthcare costs
Many people wait until an illness becomes an emergency because they think they cannot afford medical care.
Community health centers are designed to make preventive care, chronic disease management, and routine medical visits more accessible. Receiving care early often prevents more serious health problems later.
New to Nashville? Explore current availability at Solana at Brentwood on Nolensville Pike.
MyApartmentNashville.com is an independent advertising and lead-generation site. It is not the landlord or the property's official site. If you lease at Solana at Brentwood after contacting us through this site, MyApartmentNashville.com may receive a referral fee.