Access to Care

If you do not have health insurance through a group health plan, you may be able to get free or low-cost coverage through Apple Health or the Washington Healthplanfinder. Insurance brokers or navigators are available across the state. They can help you find, compare, and select a health plan.

You can read more about Apple Health eligibility in the Apple Health eligibility overview. A guide to comparing Apple Health Managed Care Plans is available in the Apple Health Managed Care Plan comparison guide.

Medicare is federal health insurance for people aged 65 or older. You may also qualify if you have permanent kidney failure, Lou Gehrig’s disease, blindness, or receive disability benefits. You can apply for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday.

There can be risks if you sign up later, such as a gap in health coverage or a financial penalty. You can apply for Medicare online or in person at the local Social Security Administration office. Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) are also available to help you navigate Medicare and its various parts.

Washington State also has Medicare Savings Programs that can help eligible people with Medicare costs. You can apply for these programs online, by phone at 877-501-2233, or at the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Community Services Office.

Additional assistance is available for individuals with specific health conditions. You can find examples of these programs on the specific disease and disability programs page or the health insurance plans and health care programs page.

The Breast and Cervical Health Program provides free cancer screening and diagnostic services to eligible people in Washington State. Eligibility is based mainly on health insurance status, income, and age.

Prescription assistance programs may be able to help with prescription medication costs. If you have unused, unwanted, or expired medications in your home, you can dispose of them through the Secure Medicine Return program.

If you live in the state of Washington, you can buy health insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder, even if you are an immigrant who is undocumented. You do not need U.S. citizenship, a green card, or other immigration papers. Learn more about health care options for immigrants.

Sea Mar offers health care on a sliding fee scale based on household size and annual income. Medical clinics are available in Mount Vernon and Concrete, with other services at locations across Skagit County. You can find clinic locations and services on the Sea Mar Skagit services page.

The Safe Harbor Free Clinics in Stanwood and Smokey Point provide health care services for those who are uninsured or underinsured. They are open by appointment for “Same-Day Clinics” on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings.

To schedule a same-day appointment, call (425) 870-7384 between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on clinic days and leave a message. Staff will return your call after 10:00 a.m.

Skagit County Public Health offers free childhood vaccines for children and select adult vaccines for uninsured and underinsured adults. To schedule an appointment, call (360) 416-1500.

Skagit County exists on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish people. The county shares the land with four tribal communities: the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Samish Indian Nation, and the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe.

The Upper Skagit Tribal Health Clinic provides outpatient medical care and behavioral health services to eligible Upper Skagit Tribal members, community members, and members of other federally recognized Indian tribes that live in the tribe’s service area.

Swinomish Health & Wellness Services include a medical clinic, dental clinic, behavioral health, a wellness program, and a fitness center for all enrolled Native Americans from federally recognized tribes.

The Samish Indian Nation Health Department provides an award-winning diabetes project and purchased/referred care for enrolled citizens in the ten-county service area.

The Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe Health and Social Services Department provides health care, social services, drug and alcohol prevention, aftercare rehabilitation, and alcohol counseling to children, youth, adults, and elders of the Sauk-Suiattle community in a way that reflects the community’s cultural beliefs.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is the health care system for federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native people in the United States. IHS is not a health insurance provider. IHS can provide health care to eligible Alaska Native and American Indian people at its federal hospitals and clinics.

Washington Law Help provides support and resources on a variety of legal topics, including medical debt.

Hospitals in Washington are required to have charity care policies to help all income-eligible patients reduce the cost of care. In some cases, you can receive care at no cost. You will need to apply at the hospital where you receive care.

You can review charity care information and applications for local hospitals at Island Hospital, Peace Health United General Hospital, and Skagit Valley Hospital.

Skagit County Public Health’s Pregnancy Connections is available for any pregnant person in Skagit County who wants information about health insurance, health care options, and other pregnancy-related services. Call or text (360) 770-7743 or complete the Pregnancy Connections online form.

Mount Baker Planned Parenthood provides pregnancy testing and a variety of reproductive health services with fees based on household income.

Skagit County Public Health provides free partner treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea and vaccines for prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

Pregnancy Choices/CARE Medical provides no-cost pregnancy testing, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, and limited pregnancy ultrasounds for people with unplanned pregnancies. They do not perform or refer for abortions, arrange adoptions, or provide comprehensive medical care.

Many people who identify as transgender, gender diverse, and/or queer have had traumatizing experiences with the health care system. PFLAG Skagit offers helpful insights into local counseling and medical care options.

PFLAG Skagit also references the Ingersoll Gender Center as a helpful website for resources across Washington State.

If you or someone you know is STRUGGLING OR IN CRISIS, HELP IS AVAILABLE. Call or text 988 or chat at 988LIFELINE.ORG.

Skagit County Public Health has a Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Guide that contains information about a variety of mental health and substance use resources.

NAMI Skagit (National Alliance on Mental Illness) provides free mental health support, online groups, resources and education. They also have a local resource page.

Psychology Today is a helpful website for finding a local private therapist. Most health insurance plans also have online provider directories where you can find mental health professionals who accept your insurance.

Perinatal Support Washington supports the emotional wellness of people throughout pregnancy and post-partum, including those experiencing depression, anxiety, loss, and infertility. They have a “warm Line” with peer and professional support, support groups, online therapy and a resource directory. Skagit County families can get peer support through their Parent Resilience Program.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides resources and support for substance use and mental health.

Skagit Rising has a wealth of local information related to opioid and substance use disorders,including a directory with local mental health, substance use and recovery services, information about syringe exchange locations, where to get free fentanyl test strips and naloxone, information on the Good Samaritan Law, and more.

The Washington Recovery Help Line provides 24/7 help for substance use, problem gambling and mental health.

Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling (ECPG) provides support for those experiencing problem gambling, internet addiction, and gaming disorders.

DentistLink is a free referral service available to anyone in Washington who wants to find a dentist. Staff can help book a dentist appointment and find transportation for your appointment. 

Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD) can help connect children, age birth to 6 years of age, with an ABCD certified dentist. The program also serves children with developmental disabilities up to the age of 13.

Sea Mar offers dental care on a sliding fee scale based on household size and annual income.

The UW School of Dentistry has a specialty dental clinic for people with developmental and acquired disabilities. They also have a special needs resource page that includes dental guidance for parents/caregivers of children with a variety of health conditions and a directory of dentists for patients with special needs.

The National Eye Institute has a page of resources for free or low-cost vision care.

The Hearing Loss Association of America has listings of financial assistance for hearing aids.

The Skagit County Developmental Disabilities Program has a resource guide that includes health care resources for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Northwest Regional Council provides a variety of aging- and disability-related services and supports, including transportation assistance options. They also have a helpful resource guide.

Skagit County’s Veterans Assistance Program can help veterans connect with resources including health and disability benefits and support.