Winter tends to be a season full of viruses and medical problems. Tennessee has very high flu activity, and several school districts surrounding Nashville have closed due to illness. Health insurance is costly, and not everyone can afford it. Even with health insurance, medical bills can be a significant barrier for many. Here’s a list of Nashville-area health clinics that provide free or low-cost medical care.
Nashville Health Department
The Nashville Health Department has three public health centers: Lentz Public Health Center, East Public Health Center, and Woodbine Public Health Center. They ask for folks to call and make appointments first. They offer vaccines, physicals, behavioral therapy, pharmacy services, dental care, STD testing, and more.
Neighborhood Health
Neighborhood Health’s motto is “Everyone is welcome here.” They offer same-day visits, Spanish interpreters, and comprehensive physical, mental, and oral care. They also provide mammograms and pap smears. There are 10 locations across Nashville, and they have a sliding payment scale for those without insurance.
Shade Tree Clinic
This free health clinic, run by Vanderbilt medical students, treats people without health insurance. They have prenatal care, testing, nutrition counseling, and other necessary medical care. The clinic is only open Tuesday nights and Saturdays.
Salt Wagon Clinic @ Meharry
This free clinic in Nashville General Hospital is only open Thursday evenings, so it would be wise to make an appointment first. They offer primary care and vision, blood, and diabetes testing.
Connectus Health
With two Nashville locations, Connectus provides basic medical care, well-women exams, pediatric care, and midwifery. Costs are based on a sliding scale.
Siloam Health
This Christian health clinic serves uninsured and culturally marginalized Nashvillians in two clinics in Melrose and Antioch. They have a low, flat fee for medical care.
TSU’s Dental Hygiene Clinic
Tennessee State University students and faculty provide low-cost dental services while school is in session, from August through July, Monday through Friday.
Interfaith Dental
Uninsured, low-income people with dental disease can come here for treatment. Payment is based on a sliding scale.
Mercy Community Healthcare
This Christian clinic in Franklin and Lewisburg provides a sliding scale for uninsured patients, and includes adult and pediatric primary care.
Primary Care & Hope Clinic
Located in Smyrna, Murfreesboro, and Shelbyville, this clinic has a sliding scale for uninsured patients. In addition to primary care, the clinic includes pharmacy services, imagery, interpreters, and psychiatric care.
