Healthcare Resources in Matagorda County
Matagorda County is rural, coastal, and a long drive from the Houston medical center — so local care matters more here than almost anywhere. Bay City, Palacios, and Van Vleck families can get sliding-scale primary care, dental, and behavioral health without leaving the county, and Texas Health Help helps you figure out what's covered before you go. If you do need a specialist in Houston or Victoria, we'll help arrange the ride and the paperwork.
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Clinics in Matagorda County that won't turn you away
These clinics serve patients regardless of ability to pay. If you're uninsured, say so when you call — they have sliding-scale programs built for you.
MEHOP — Bay City
1917 5th St, Bay City, TX 77414
(979) 245-2008 www.mehop.orgMatagorda Episcopal Health Outreach Program: sliding-scale family medicine, pediatrics, dental, and behavioral health. No one turned away for inability to pay.
MEHOP — Palacios
410 Main St, Palacios, TX 77465
(361) 972-5000 www.mehop.orgCoastal clinic serving Palacios, Blessing, and Markham with the same sliding-scale fees.
Matagorda County Public Health Department
1700 7th St, Bay City, TX 77414
(979) 245-4456Low-cost immunizations, TB testing, and public health screenings for county residents.
Where to go for urgent and emergency care
Matagorda Regional Medical Center
104 7th St, Bay City, TX 77414
(979) 245-6383 www.matagordaregional.orgThe county's 24/7 emergency room and inpatient hospital. Ask billing about financial assistance before you pay out of pocket.
MRMC Rural Health Clinics
Bay City & Palacios, TX
(979) 245-6383Hospital-affiliated primary care clinics for routine visits close to home.
Medical emergency? Call 911 right away. Emergency rooms must treat you regardless of insurance or ability to pay under federal law (EMTALA).
Behavioral health & crisis support
Texana Center — Matagorda County
Bay City, TX 77414
(979) 245-8681 www.texanacenter.comCounseling, psychiatry, and IDD services on a sliding fee scale for Matagorda County residents.
Texana 24/7 Crisis Line
Free, confidential mental-health crisis help any time, day or night.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for immediate support anywhere in Texas.
In crisis right now? Call or text 988 — the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, free and confidential, 24/7.
Transportation Assistance
- Colorado Valley Transit provides demand-response rides in Matagorda County — call ahead to schedule.
- Texas Medicaid members get free NEMT rides to covered appointments, including trips to Houston and Victoria specialists.
- MEHOP can sometimes coordinate transportation for established patients — ask when you book.
- Call us and we'll help arrange a ride, including volunteer drivers for long specialist trips.
Medicaid & CHIP Help
- Apply for Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, and TANF at YourTexasBenefits.com — or let us submit it with you, free.
- MEHOP has certified application counselors who can enroll you during your visit.
- Pregnancy Medicaid covers prenatal care, delivery, and 12 months postpartum at MEHOP and Matagorda Regional.
- If you earn too much for Medicaid, CHIP covers kids for $50 or less per year for most families.
Senior Services
- Matagorda County Committee on Aging: (979) 245-1552 — meals, activities, and transportation for seniors.
- Golden Crescent Area Agency on Aging: benefits counseling, caregiver support, and in-home services.
- Free Medicare counseling through Texas HICAP — we can connect you.
- Ask about respite care if you're caring for a parent or spouse at home.
Community Organizations
- Matagorda County Food Pantry, Bay City — groceries for households in need.
- Salvation Army and local churches provide utility and rent assistance across the county.
- WIC services are available through the county health department for pregnant women and young children.
- Dial 2-1-1 for a live referral to local utility, rent, and food help.
Read the Matagorda County services guide
A printable walkthrough of every clinic, hospital, food pantry, crisis line, ride option, and benefits program listed on this page — with phone numbers you can call today.
Open the Matagorda County guideStatewide guides for everyone in Texas
Texas Medicaid Eligibility
Income limits and how to apply for free health coverage.
CHIP for Children
Low-cost coverage for kids in working families.
Apply for SNAP
Food-stamp income limits and step-by-step help.
Free Rides to the Doctor
NEMT transportation for Medicaid members.
Free & Low-Cost Clinics
Find sliding-scale clinics across Texas.
Senior Support
Medicare and benefits help for older Texans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I see a doctor in Matagorda County without insurance?+
MEHOP in Bay City and Palacios is a federally qualified health center that charges on a sliding scale based on your household income. No one is turned away for inability to pay — call (979) 245-2008 to get started.
Is there a hospital in Bay City?+
Yes. Matagorda Regional Medical Center at 104 7th St has a 24/7 emergency room and inpatient care. If you get a bill you can't afford, ask their billing office about financial assistance — we can help you apply.
How do I get to a specialist appointment in Houston or Victoria?+
Medicaid members qualify for free NEMT rides even for long trips. Colorado Valley Transit also offers demand-response service in the county. Call us and we'll help book it.
Who provides mental health care in Matagorda County?+
Texana Center is the local mental health authority and offers counseling and psychiatry on a sliding scale. For a crisis, call 988 or Texana's 24/7 line at 1-800-633-5686.
Is Texas Health Help really free?+
Yes. We're a community nonprofit. Helping you find a clinic, apply for Medicaid or CHIP, or arrange transportation never costs anything. We don't bill you or your insurance.
Need help finding care in Matagorda County?
Tell us your city and situation — our community navigators will point you to the nearest clinic, help you apply for Medicaid or CHIP, and arrange a ride if you need one. Always free.
Disclaimer: Texas Health Help (Community Health Access Hub Texas) is a community nonprofit, not a government agency or medical provider. We do not determine eligibility, approve benefits, or provide medical care. Clinic details are provided for convenience and may change — call ahead to confirm hours, services, and costs. This page is general educational information, not medical, legal, or financial advice.