Native American health clinics in California

This page is general information, not medical advice. Do Not Lose Hope does not provide health care or crisis help.

What kinds of Native health programs are there?

The Indian Health Service (IHS) California Area lists two main kinds of programs (IHS California Area, checked October 21, 2026):

• Tribal health programs, run by tribes or tribal health boards. IHS notes that some tribally operated programs limit services to their own members (IHS patient FAQ).
• Urban Indian health programs, in cities like Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Rosa, for Native people living away from tribal lands.

The Bay Area programs below offer medical, dental and behavioral health care in one place, and some add WIC and community wellness programs.

Which clinics are in the Bay Area?

Native American Health Center (NAHC). Medical, dental and behavioral health care, WIC, school based health centers and community wellness. NAHC says it is "open to everyone in the community regardless of tribal affiliations or ethnicity." Staff can help if you are uninsured or have trouble paying (NAHC).

• Oakland: 2950 International Blvd., Oakland, CA 94601, (510) 535-4400
• Oakland Community Wellness: 3124 International Blvd., (510) 434-5421
• San Francisco: 160 Capp St., San Francisco, CA 94110, (415) 417-3500

Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley (IHC), San Jose. Medical, dental, counseling and behavioral health, inter tribal services, preventive care, and WIC. Its focus is American Indian and Alaska Native people. Call to ask whether you can be seen (IHC).

• 1333 Meridian Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
• Medical 408-960-0660, Dental 408-960-0645, Counseling 408-960-0643, WIC 408-960-0900, main operator 408-445-3400

Sonoma County Indian Health Project, Santa Rosa. Listed by IHS. Its site describes medical, pharmacy, dental and behavioral health services. Its site does not list a patient phone number, so use the IHS map.

Friendship House Association of American Indians, San Francisco. Listed by IHS. Its website says it has helped more than 4,800 residential clients overcome substance abuse (Friendship House, checked October 21, 2026). The site does not list a phone number, so find current contact details through the IHS map.

There are no IHS listed programs in San Mateo County. East Palo Alto and Peninsula families can reach NAHC in San Francisco or Oakland, or IHC in San Jose.

Who can get care at an Indian health clinic?

It depends on the clinic.

• IHS direct care is mainly for enrolled members of federally recognized tribes. You register in person and show proof of enrollment. IHS is not insurance, and some tribal programs serve only their own members (IHS patient FAQ, checked October 21, 2026).
• Purchased and Referred Care, where IHS pays outside providers, has stricter rules. It is mainly for tribal members living on or near a reservation, depends on available funds, and usually needs approval first. Emergency care must be reported within 72 hours (IHS patient FAQ).
• Some urban clinics serve everyone. NAHC says it is open to all, regardless of tribal affiliation or ethnicity.

Indigenous people from Mexico, Central or South America: IHS eligibility is tied to U.S. tribes, and the IHS FAQ does not address other Indigenous peoples. A clinic that is open to everyone, like NAHC, can still see you. Ask when you call.

What should I bring?

• Photo ID, if you have one
• Proof of tribal enrollment, if you have it (needed for IHS eligibility)
• Insurance or Medi-Cal card, if you have one
• A list of your medicines
• Your questions, written down

If you are not enrolled or do not have papers, call first and ask what the clinic needs.

How do Medi-Cal and insurance fit in?

NAHC and IHC both offer help with insurance enrollment (NAHC; IHC). IHC reminds patients that starting January 1, 2027, Medi-Cal must be renewed every six months, so keep your address current and watch your mail (IHC). For coverage changes in 2026 and 2027, see Medi-Cal for adults in 2026.

How do I find a clinic anywhere in California?

1. Use the IHS Find Health Care map and search your city or ZIP code.
2. Check the IHS California Area program list, sorted by region.
3. Call the clinic and ask who they serve, what to bring, and whether they take your coverage.

Where can I get Native specific support right now?

• StrongHearts Native Helpline: for Native Americans and Alaska Natives affected by domestic or sexual violence. Call 1-844-762-8483, text START to 1-844-762-8483, or chat on the website. 24/7, free, confidential and anonymous. Text rates may apply (StrongHearts).
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Free and confidential, 24/7/365.
• In a life threatening situation, call 911.

For other topics, see Which helpline to call. For counseling, see Mental health care without fear.

Questions people ask

I am Native but not enrolled. Can I still go? Some urban clinics, like NAHC, serve everyone. For IHS eligibility, enrollment usually matters. Call and ask.

Do I have to live on a reservation? No, not for urban Indian programs. Purchased and Referred Care is the part tied to living on or near a reservation.

Is there a cost? It depends on the clinic and your coverage. Ask about help if you are uninsured.

Who can help

Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• Native American Health Center: Oakland (510) 535-4400; San Francisco (415) 417-3500.
• Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley: 408-445-3400 (operator); Medical 408-960-0660.
• IHS Find Health Care map: ihs.gov/findhealthcaremap.
• StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Care that knows your culture can make healing easier. You deserve that kind of care.