Health and Mental Health

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. Taking care of your body and your mind is never selfish. It's how you keep going for yourself and the people who love you. I'm so glad you're here.

Here is the easy first step: if you need a doctor and money is tight, look up a community health center near you. They see people with or without insurance. And if you're hurting inside right now, you can call or text 988 any time. This guide also covers care for moms and babies, dental care, and help if you're not safe at home.

A few things to know

• You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise care, coverage or a spot in any program.
• This guide is not medical advice. For questions about your health, talk with a doctor or nurse.
• In danger right now? Call 911. Thinking about suicide or in crisis? Call or text 988.

Where can I see a doctor if I don't have insurance?

Community health centers are a great place to start. The Florida Department of Children and Families says Federally Qualified Health Centers offer medical services to people with limited or no health insurance, on a sliding fee scale based on income.

That means the less you earn, the less you pay.

The federal Find a Health Center tool from HRSA shows centers near you by ZIP code. HRSA says it funds about 1,400 health centers that run more than 16,200 service sites.

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Your county health department can help

Every Florida county has a health department. Find yours at floridahealth.gov. Call and ask what services they have for people in your situation. Easy peasy!

How do I apply for Medicaid?

In Florida, you apply for Medicaid through ACCESS Florida, run by DCF. DCF says applying is at no cost, and you can apply online, at a DCF Family Resource Center, through a DCF community partner, or with a paper application.

• If you qualify, DCF says you get a gold Medicaid card in the mail, and the Agency for Health Care Administration will send information if you need to pick a health plan.
• DCF says people who get SSI are automatically eligible for Medicaid, with no separate ACCESS application needed unless nursing home services are needed.
• If you're not eligible, DCF says you get a notice with the reasons, and staff can refer you to health centers that use a sliding fee.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.myflfamilies.com/medicaid

What about health coverage for kids?

Florida KidCare offers health coverage for children from birth through age 18. KidCare says a child may qualify if they live in Florida, are under 19, meet citizenship or immigration rules, and meet income rules.

• To ask questions or get help applying, call KidCare at 888.540.5437.
• You can also apply for children's Medicaid on ACCESS Florida.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.floridakidcare.org/faqs/

Asking for help with your health is one of the bravest, smartest things you can do. Your health matters, friend.

From the Bunklow team

Where can I get help for mental health?

If you're feeling down, anxious, or overwhelmed, you don't have to carry it alone.

• In a crisis, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. It's at no cost, private and open 24/7, for you or for someone you love.
• For ongoing care, Florida uses regional groups called managing entities. DCF funds them to run safety net mental health and substance use care for people without insurance. The county list later in this guide shows yours.
• Community health centers often have counseling too. Ask when you call.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.myflfamilies.com/crisis-services

Where can I get help for alcohol or drug use?

SAMHSA's National Helpline is at no cost, private and open 24/7, 365 days a year, in English and Spanish. They can refer you to local treatment, support groups and community groups.

Call 800.662.4357.

• You can also search for treatment near you at findtreatment.gov.
• In Florida, your regional managing entity can help you find care if you don't have insurance.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline

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Write your questions down

Before a visit, jot down your questions and any medicines you take. It's so easy to forget once you're in the room. A little list goes a long way!

Can I get health insurance on the Marketplace?

HealthCare.gov is the official federal Health Insurance Marketplace. You can see plans and find out if you qualify for savings.

If your income is very low, ask about Medicaid first through ACCESS Florida.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.healthcare.gov/

What about care when I'm pregnant or have a baby?

The Florida Department of Health says your local county health department can connect you to services that keep you in prenatal care while you're pregnant. If you have a low income and are eligible, presumptive eligibility for pregnant women is your first step toward prenatal coverage.

It is temporary coverage that can keep you healthy early in your pregnancy before Medicaid starts. DCF decides Medicaid eligibility.

• Family Health Line. A no cost statewide hotline about pregnancy, breastfeeding, childbirth classes and community resources, in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. Call 800.451.2229.
• Dental checkups count, too. The Department of Health says getting dental checkups and treatment is part of good prenatal care.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.floridahealth.gov/individual-family-health/womens-health/pregnancy/

Healthy Start is a no cost home visiting program for pregnant women and families of children under age 3, the Department of Health says. It offers home visits, prenatal and parenting education, stress management education, and help finding resources in your community.

• Florida's Healthy Start coalitions say the program is voluntary and open statewide to eligible families, no matter their insurance or citizenship.
• Your doctor or hospital offers a short Healthy Start screen. Say yes if you'd like more support.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.healthystartflorida.com/programs/home-visiting/healthy-start/

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You're not alone, mama

If you feel sad, worried or not like yourself while you're pregnant or after your baby comes, you don't have to wait it out. Tell your doctor or Healthy Start worker, or call or text 988 any time. Asking for help is a strong thing to do.

Where can I find low cost dental care?

Many Florida county health departments run dental programs, and many community health centers have dentists too. Call your county health department and ask what they offer.

Here are two examples of what county programs say they offer:

• Pinellas County. The Department of Health in Pinellas says it offers dental care for children on Medicaid through age 20, emergency dental care for adults on Medicaid, and an $80 flat fee emergency visit for people with no insurance. Call 727.824.6900.
• Hillsborough County. The Department of Health in Hillsborough says its Community Dental Health Program, with Suncoast Community Health Centers, serves low income children and adults who are uninsured or underinsured, with fees on a sliding scale. Call 813.653.6100.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://pinellas.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/clinical-and-nutrition-services/dental-health-clinic/

What if I'm not safe at home?

Your health includes your safety. The Florida Department of Children and Families runs a statewide domestic violence hotline, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in English, Spanish and Creole.

Advocates can help with support, safety planning and a referral to a local certified domestic violence center.

• Call 800.500.1119. TTY: 711.
• DCF warns that an abuser may be able to see what you do online. If you think your phone or computer isn't safe, use one somewhere else.
• In danger right now? Call 911.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/domestic-violence/get-help

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Florida

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Miami Dade County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Broward County (Fort Lauderdale)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Palm Beach County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Hillsborough County (Tampa)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Orange County (Orlando)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Duval County (Jacksonville)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Pinellas County (St. Petersburg and Clearwater)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lee County (Fort Myers)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Polk County (Lakeland)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Brevard County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My health plan

Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

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Please let me know if you have any questions

If something in this guide is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Take good care of you. Make it a great day, friend!

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Sources were checked on October 16, 2026. New sources were added and every link was checked again on October 18, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax, medical or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

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Last updated October 18, 2026