Free & Low-Cost Clinics in Tippecanoe County, Indiana

Need medical care but don’t have insurance or can’t afford the full cost? Lafayette and Tippecanoe County have options for free and low-cost health care, including primary care, dental care, STI testing, immunizations and other services.

Some services are completely free, while others use an income-based sliding fee or charge a reduced fee.

Last Updated: September 2026

Quick Answer

For primary medical care without insurance, start with Riggs Community Health Center. Riggs accepts insured and uninsured patients and offers an income-based sliding fee for qualifying patients.

For STI testing, HIV testing and other public health services, contact the Tippecanoe County Health Department.

If you need health insurance, you may also qualify for Indiana Medicaid or another state health coverage program.

Riggs Community Health Center

Riggs Community Health Center is one of the main options for low-cost health care in Lafayette for people who are uninsured or have limited income.

Riggs provides services including:

Primary medical care
Women’s health
Pediatric care
Dental care
Behavioral health
Pharmacy services
Other preventive and health services

Patients without insurance may qualify for a reduced fee based on household income. You’ll need to provide income documentation to qualify for the sliding fee.

Phone: 765-742-1567

→ Riggs Community Health Center

→ Riggs Sliding Fee & Patient Information

Important: Sliding-scale care does not necessarily mean your visit will be completely free. Ask Riggs what your expected cost will be when scheduling.

Dental Care Without Insurance

Riggs also provides dental services and accepts uninsured patients.

Its dental program includes services such as preventive and restorative dental care. Riggs currently says it is accepting new dental patients, although the number of new-patient openings may be limited each month.

→ Riggs Dental Services

→ New Dental Patient Information

If cost is a concern, ask whether the service you need qualifies for Riggs’ sliding fee program.

Tippecanoe County Health Department

The Tippecanoe County Health Department provides several free or low-cost public health services.

Tippecanoe County Health Department
1950 S. 18th St.
Lafayette, IN 47905
Phone: 765-423-9221
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Services include immunizations, communicable disease services, STI testing and other public health programs.

→ Tippecanoe County Health Department

Free & Low-Cost STI Testing

The Tippecanoe County Health Department operates a walk-in STI clinic.

Current screenings include:

Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
HIV
Hepatitis C
Syphilis

The current clinic charge is:

Students: $10 with student ID
Others: $20
HIV testing: Free

Hardship forms are available for people who cannot afford the clinic charge.

The Health Department also provides several free preventive services, including pregnancy tests, condoms and certain STI treatments.

STI Clinic:
1950 S. 18th St.
Lafayette, IN 47905
Phone: 765-423-9221 ext. 1

→ Tippecanoe County STI Clinic

Clinic hours can change, so check the county’s current information before visiting.

Immunizations

The Tippecanoe County Health Department also provides immunization services to Tippecanoe County residents.

Availability, eligibility and charges can vary by vaccine and program. Contact the Health Department before visiting to find out whether you need an appointment and what the vaccine will cost.

Phone: 765-423-9222 ext. 1

→ Tippecanoe County Nursing & Immunizations

What If I Don’t Have Insurance?

You do not necessarily need health insurance to receive care.

Riggs accepts uninsured patients and offers an income-based sliding fee for qualifying patients. The Tippecanoe County Health Department also provides certain free or reduced-cost services.

When making an appointment, say that you are uninsured and ask:

What will the visit cost?
Is a sliding fee available?
What income documents should I bring?
Are lab tests included in the fee?
Are prescriptions included?
Is there an application for financial assistance?

Knowing the cost before your appointment can help prevent an unexpected bill.

Could You Qualify for Medicaid?

If you don’t have health insurance, it is also worth checking whether you qualify for Indiana Medicaid.

Indiana Medicaid includes several health coverage programs, and eligibility depends on factors such as age, income, household size, pregnancy and disability.

You can apply:

Online
By phone
By mail
At a local Division of Family Resources office

Indiana FSSA: 1-800-403-0864

→ Apply for Indiana Medicaid

→ Check Indiana Medicaid Eligibility

Applying is the only way to know for certain whether you qualify.

If You Need Care Right Away

Free and low-cost clinics are generally intended for non-emergency medical care.

If you have symptoms that could be a medical emergency — such as severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of stroke, severe bleeding or another life-threatening condition — call 911 or go to an emergency department.

Don’t delay emergency care while trying to locate a free clinic.

Before You Go

Call or check the provider’s website before visiting. Clinic hours, appointment availability, eligibility and fees can change.

If you’re applying for a sliding fee, you may need documents such as:

Photo ID
Proof of household income
Insurance card, if you have one
Medication list
Previous medical information

Ask the clinic exactly what you need to bring.

Quick Questions

Are there free clinics in Lafayette, Indiana?

There are free and reduced-cost health services in Lafayette, but not every clinic visit is completely free. Riggs Community Health Center offers an income-based sliding fee for qualifying patients, while the Tippecanoe County Health Department provides certain free or low-cost services.

Can I see a doctor if I don’t have insurance?

Yes. Riggs Community Health Center accepts uninsured patients. Ask about its sliding fee program when making your appointment.

Where can I get free HIV testing in Lafayette?

The Tippecanoe County Health Department currently provides free HIV testing at its STI clinic at 1950 S. 18th St.

Where can I get cheap STI testing?

The Tippecanoe County Health Department currently charges $10 for students and $20 for others for its STI clinic. Hardship forms are available.

Is there low-cost dental care in Lafayette?

Riggs Community Health Center provides dental services and offers a sliding fee for eligible patients. New-patient availability can be limited.

Can a free clinic help me apply for Medicaid?

Riggs provides Medicaid enrollment information, and Indiana FSSA allows residents to apply online, by phone, by mail or in person.

→ Medicaid Help

→ Prescription Assistance