Katy, TX – With healthcare costs climbing and changes to Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies leaving many families priced out of basic care, free and low‑cost clinics are becoming more critical than ever.
That’s true not only in big urban centers, but also in fast‑growing suburbs like Katy.
Katy is often seen as a place where most families have good jobs and solid health insurance. But behind the new neighborhoods and expanding distribution centers, thousands of workers and families simply can’t afford to see a doctor, especially as premiums, deductibles and prescription costs keep going up.
A Safety Net in an Unexpected Place: Christ Clinic in Katy
The Christ Clinic, a faith‑based clinic in Katy, is quietly filling that gap for about 5,000 individuals every year.
“Katy is not typically seen as a community that has a large underserved population that needs assistance, but there are pockets of poverty throughout Katy. Poverty looks different here than it does in the inner city, but there’s a huge need. We see 5,000 individuals a year, so there’s clearly a need in our area,” explained Executive Director Lara Mautz.
What Services Does Christ Clinic Offer?
Christ Clinic provides an impressive range of care for uninsured and under‑insured patients. Services typically include:
- Primary care visits
- Chronic disease management (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and other ongoing conditions).
- Specialty care, including:
- Cardiology
- Gynecology and women’s health
- Physical therapy
- On‑site or coordinated lab work
- Low‑cost prescriptions
In other words, it’s not just for the occasional check‑up; for many patients, Christ Clinic acts as their full medical home.
How Much Does It Cost?
Christ Clinic uses a sliding‑scale model based on the federal poverty level (FPL).
For a family of four, 200% of the federal poverty level is roughly $54,000 a year. Patients at or below that income threshold may qualify to pay just $20 for care.
If a patient cannot pay, the clinic may waive the fee.
Specialty visit: suggested $35 contribution.
For patients who earn more than 200% of the FPL, Christ Clinic still offers deeply discounted rates:
- Primary care visit: $50
- Specialty visit: $75
Plus, low‑cost prescriptions are available through the clinic.
Designed for Working Families’ Schedules
Cost is not the only barrier that keeps people from getting care. For hourly workers, time away from work can mean lost wages.
Christ Clinic has tailored its operations with that reality in mind.
“Every minute counts when you’re an hourly worker. Our typical cycle time is 60 minutes from the time in the door to out the door. If we can get everything done that a patient needs, see the provider, give a diagnosis, write the prescription, draw labs, let them pick up their prescription from the pharmacy, and have them back at work, then that’s a huge win for the community and the patient,” said Mautz.
How Christ Clinic Stays Affordable
Operating a medical clinic isn’t cheap.
Volunteer physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals donate their time and expertise.
Generous donors, including individuals, hospital organizations, faith communities, foundations, and local businesses, help cover operating costs.
Patients with private insurance can also support the mission:
Insured patients can fill prescriptions at low‑cost community clinics. Then those payments help clinics subsidize medications for patients who can’t afford retail prices.
As health insurance premiums rise, more employers, especially small businesses, are struggling to afford robust benefits for their workers. Some are reducing coverage, increasing deductibles or dropping plans entirely.
Christ Clinic can help fill that gap by partnering with employers. Clinics like this can provide low‑cost primary and preventive care for uninsured or underinsured workers. That helps:
- Keep employees healthier and at work
- Reduce absenteeism due to unmanaged chronic conditions
- Limit expensive emergency room visits
- Offer workers a realistic option when traditional insurance isn’t feasible
In a community where rising healthcare costs and changing ACA subsidies are pushing more working families toward the brink, Christ Clinic is stepping in to help patients and employers.
Other Affordable Healthcare Options in Houston, TX
For people in Katy and across Greater Houston, Christ Clinic is one part of a broader safety net of free and low‑cost clinics. Here are other types of resources and options typically available in the Houston area. (Always check directly with each organization for the most current eligibility rules, services, and prices.)
FQHCs are community health centers that receive federal funding and must offer sliding‑scale fees based on income. They serve insured, under‑insured, and uninsured patients.
Some options for FQHCs in Houston are:
- Legacy Community Health
- Avenue 360
- HOPE Clinic
- El Centro de Corazon
- Faith-based clinic, San Jose Clinic, also offers many of the same features, but it is not an FQHC.
Common features:
- Primary and preventive care
- Pediatric care
- Women’s health and prenatal care
- Behavioral health/counseling
- Basic dental at some locations
These clinics often provide:
- Adult and pediatric primary care
- Chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, etc.)
- Vaccinations
- Some specialty clinics on set days (e.g., women’s health, orthopedics)
- Very low‑cost prescriptions or medication assistance programs
Costs are usually:
- A small flat fee per visit (such as $20–$50), or
- A donation‑based model where no one is turned away for inability to pay
- Many are powered by volunteer doctors, nurses and medical students, supported by donations and grants.
2. County and Public Hospital Clinics
The Houston area is served by a large public hospital system that includes:
Community clinics
Specialty clinics
Emergency and inpatient hospital services
These systems typically have financial assistance programs or charity care for low‑income residents. If you qualify:
- Primary and specialty care visits can be heavily discounted
- Lab work and imaging may be offered at reduced cost
- Pharmacy services may be subsidized or tied to prescription savings programs
You may need to:
- Provide proof of residence in the county
- Show proof of income and household size
- Complete a financial screening process
3. Low‑Cost Telehealth and Online Clinics
For non‑emergency issues, telehealth can be an affordable option:
Many telehealth platforms charge a flat fee for urgent‑care style visits (e.g., for minor illnesses, rashes, refills of stable medications).
Some community clinics and FQHCs also offer virtual visits at sliding‑scale rates.
4. Pharmacy‑Based Clinics and Discount Programs
Some pharmacies host walk‑in clinics staffed by nurse practitioners or physician assistants. These can be a good option for:
Simple infections (ear, sinus, throat, urinary)
Vaccines and physicals
Basic screenings
While not free, they often provide transparent pricing and can be cheaper than a traditional urgent care or emergency room visit—especially if you lack insurance.
In addition:
Prescription discount cards and apps can significantly lower the cost of medications.
Some community clinics partner with pharmacies to offer 340B pricing or other low‑cost prescription programs for eligible patients.
5. Free or Low‑Cost Specialty Clinics and Health Fairs
Certain hospitals, medical schools and nonprofits in Houston occasionally run free screening events (for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, cancer).
These events can help catch health problems early and connect patients to longer‑term care at community clinics.
6. Sliding‑Scale Mental Health and Counseling Services
Mental health care is often even harder to afford than primary care, but Houston has:
- Integrated behavioral health services at FQHCs and charity clinics
- Group counseling options that cost less than individual therapy
- If you’re already seeing a low‑cost medical clinic, ask whether they also offer counseling or can refer you to an affordable mental health provider in their network.
The Bigger Picture
As healthcare costs continue to rise and ACA subsidies shift, more working families in Houston and its suburbs are falling into the coverage gap. They’re earning too much to qualify for traditional safety‑net programs, but not nearly enough to afford comprehensive private coverage.
Clinics like Christ Clinic in Katy, along with FQHCs, county clinics and other nonprofit providers across the Houston area, are stepping up to make sure that a serious illness or chronic condition doesn’t automatically lead to financial crisis.
If you live in or near Houston and struggle to afford care, you are not alone—and you do have options. Free and low‑cost clinics, public hospital systems and community health centers exist precisely to serve patients like you.