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Free medical clinics Des Moines and Polk County

Updated October 21, 2025 • 9 min read • 1,781 words
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Free medical or dental clinics in Des Moines and Polk County.

Find free health and dental care centers that help low-income and/or uninsured people in Polk County and the city of Des Moines Iowa. There is help for struggling people as well as patients on Medicaid or other government insurance plans (Medicare, CHIP, etc). The services are wide ranging and include free women’s health care, dental cleanings, eye exams, physicals, telehealth care and more. Find a free or income based medical clinic in the Des Moines and Polk County Iowa area below. Many of the medical clinics offer free or affordable, yet high quality, services on a sliding fee scale to low-income families. Many are non-profits, Federally Qualified Health Centers. Get everything from free medications, root canals or teeth extractions, diabetes assistance, wellness physicals and more to basic checkups or dental cleanings through free therapy. Other common treatment includes diabetes treatment, wellness physicals and more There are also adult dentures for people on Medicaid . Even if a clinic can’t meet your needs, they can often refer people to specialists’ in Des Moines or neighboring counties or states.

Get free health and dental in Des Moines Iowa area

Mae E. Davis Medical Clinic

  • Provides basic care such as physicals for school, illness and minor injury care. There are also adult and kids physicals for sports or work, and referrals to other community providers and hospitals. Any needs that require a dedicated specialist will be addressed by referrals. The address is 1312 Maple St, West Des Moines, IA 50265. Phone (515) 277-1103

Margaret Cramer Free Medical Clinic

focuses on the low income and people with no or limited health or dental insurance. This is a free clinic at a church in Des Moines. Pro-bono doctors and dentists provides child wellness and preventative care, illness and minor injury care, physicals for school. There are also free teeth cleanings, fluoride, X-rays and other services. Or get immunizations for children, and referrals to other community services and non-profits. It is at Reach Church, 2725 Merle Hay Road, First Assembly of God, Des Moines, IA 50310, call (515) 279-9766 for intake.

Grace United Methodist Church

operates a health center in cooperation with Free Clinics of Iowa. Medical services are offered at no cost to people who are uninsured or under-insured. Care provided includes chronic disease management, diabetes testing, and prescription medications. They are a faith based, Christian clinic open to anyone in need. Address is 3700 Cottage Grove Avenue, South Entrance, Des Moines, Iowa 50311, call (515) 255-2131. Or look here for more information on Christian health insurance for the low income .

Maple Street Baptist Church Free Clinic

. Call them for Child Immunizations, Orthopedic Evaluations and Specialty Care Referrals. There also arrange free therapy and telehealth for kids and adults in Polk County. as well as exams and basic care. While the care tends to be more basic, it can still help patients save money on their medical and hospital bills by addressing more limited health conditions. Location is 1552 Maple St, Des Moines, IA 50316. Call (515) 262-1931 for an appointment.

La Clinica Medica Latina LLC

organizations is a private clinic that can offer high quality medical care in English or Spanish. Meet with a doctor, nurse, or medical professional who specializes in family and internal practice. They also offer doctor on demand virtually. This includes diabetes management, free transportation (only for patients under 20 years old and on Medicaid), physical exams, vaccines, hypertension screening, minor emergencies, and other lab services. Free beahavoiral health care and psychologists as well as cancer screening too. The clinic offers discounts and the ability to pay your medical bill using payment plans. Clinic staff permits patients to explain their medical problems in their own language. Address is 3231 E Euclid Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317. Phone (515) 265-8200

Jim Ellefson Free Medical Clinic

  • All nurses, doctors, and other staff located here are volunteers, and this free medical community clinic provides acute care services to the general public. There is a small fee for some types of services, such as physicals, but all other care will be provided for free as resources allow. It is a federal government qualified center. They do also provide referrals to alternative medical care, including

Christian insurance plans . 1607 East 33rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50316, (515) 266-7622

Polk County Health Department

helps the poor, uninsured, homeless and people with public health needs. Flu shots, STD tests or treatment, pregnancy testing and other care. The location is 1907 Carpenter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314. Dial (515) 286-3798 The

East Side Clinic provides Primary Health Care

. An extensive array of primary medical and preventive services are provided by Primary Health Care, Inc. This includes low cost prescription drugs, lead/poison and other prevention services. There is OB/GYN and pregnancy testing too. School physicals are offered by appointment. Homeless outreach is offered. Women who need prenatal care can get home visitation services. They may be offered for families with children under the age of 6. The clinic provides resources and referrals to case managed families and women, as well as help with obtaining transportation. It helps the low income and working poor in the region. Address of East Side clinic is 3509 East 29th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50317, dial (515) 248-1600

Polk County Health Department

offers a wide range of basic medical care, including to the indigent. Everything from help for immigrants/refugees to applications to government insurance, wellness exams, STD check ups and more are offered with details here https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/health-department/services-and-programs/ . The location is 1907 Carpenter Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314. Phone: (515) 286-3798

Broadlawns Medical Center and Dental Center

is at 1801 Hickman Road, Des Moines, IA 50314. Offers basic health care for all county residents, regardless of their age. Get help for minor illness and injuries, physicals, well-child exams, limited lab and prescriptions, immunizations and wellness education. Health care is provided free of charge to qualified patients. There is also free dental for people on Medicaid or the low-income in Polk County. Everything from dentures to emergency wisdom teeth removal, exams and other care. Kids, teens, and adults will get help. Call (515) 282-2200. Primary Health Care, Inc. has many programs. Medical, dental, and other health care is provided here at 2353 SE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50320. Phone: (515) 248-1400. Fees and the amount of bills will vary, but a sliding fee scale is available for qualified individuals. Some working poor families or their children may qualify for free dental assistance. There is also emergency oral surgery, Soft Tissue Grafting, surgical extractions and more.

Dental Connections - Des Moines Health Center

is at 1111 9th St #190, Des Moines, IA 5031. Reduced fees for your bills may be available. Tooth extractions, fillings, and cleanings may be provided. Fees involved will depend on your household income as well as family size as well as insurance status. Dental clinic telephone - (515) 244-9136

Medicap Pharmacy

can give out free meds (generic) and provides other support from 1300 E 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50316. Call (515) 263-1782. There are also referrals to discounted prescription drug programs for pharmaceutical manufactures are offered. Can offer referrals to those seeking affordable basic medical or dental care in

Corinthian Family Health Free Clinic

is at 814 School St, Des Moines, IA 50309. Fees and the amount of bills will vary, but a sliding fee scale is available for qualified individuals. Some working poor families or their children may qualify for free dental assistance. There is also emergency oral surgery, Soft Tissue Grafting, surgical extractions and more. Call (515) 630-0238. Proteus, Inc help immigrants and migrant farm workers. Free dental, medical, eye exams, emergency care and more is offered. There are Spanish speaking doctors and dentists too. Call (515) 271-5306

Des Moines University and Clinic

is open to the public, including low-income families. The address is at 3200 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312 They give the undeserved free and/or low, affordable medical as well as dental care. All services are in English and Spanish. There is a free dermatologist, dental work, and other care too. The school clinic, including doctors or students in training, offers family care, STD testing, lab work, X-Rays, prescription drugs and so much more. The care offered by this center is more for the homeless and very low income/underserved in the population in the greater Des Moines area. There are centers in Ames, the University area, Marshalltown, East Side and other sites. The free community clinic center can be set up in many different parts of the city or county. Call (515) 271-1700 for hours and location.

The Iowa Clinic - West

Des Moines Health Center

is a privately run, not for profit community health center that has as its mission the goal of providing low cost or free health and dental care to low income and uninsured patients. It is also supported by the United Way. Call the clinic at 515-875-9000 to learn more or make an appointment. Click here to find additional ways to get help with hospital bills or medical bills, as well as free health care. The address of the center is 5950 University Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266.

Primary Health Care - West Side Medical

has free or cheap immunizations and vaccinations, medical and preventive services, low cost or free RX and more from 7555 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50325. Call Main Phone: (515) 225-7201. The non-profit will also offer referrals to clinics or government health insurance plans, such as Medicaid. Hope Ministries Bethel Mission helps mostly the homeless in Polk County. The clinic is at 1310 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314. A charity clinic. The non-profit will help with the treatment of common ailments for low income people, families who are homeless or uninsured/underinsured or other medically underserved populations. Everything from wellness checks to lab work, diabetes screening, and other support is given. Call 515-333-5024