Start Community Health Center: Services & Hours

Louisiana · 2026 Patient & Visitor Guide

Get Care at START: Clinic Locations, Hours & Appointments

START Community Health Center provides primary care, behavioral healthcare, substance-use treatment, HIV care, insurance enrollment assistance and other community health services across Louisiana. Its five principal clinics are in Houma, Thibodaux, New Orleans, Covington and Mandeville.

START is operated by START Corporation, a nonprofit organization serving patients with varying insurance and financial circumstances, including people without health insurance.

Main ClinicHouma235 Civic Center Boulevard
Appointments985-333-2020Main Houma number
Locations5 ClinicsAcross southern Louisiana
Payment HelpSliding FeeBased on household size and income
Medical emergencies: START Community Health Centers are outpatient healthcare facilities, not hospital emergency departments. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911. For mental health or substance-use crises, contact the appropriate crisis service or call/text 988 for nationwide crisis support.

Information checked October 27, 2026. Clinic hours, provider availability, insurance participation and departmental schedules can change.

All Five START Community Health Center Locations

Choosing the correct clinic is the most important step. Each location has its own telephone number and operating hours.

Houma Community Health Center

235 Civic Center Boulevard
Houma, LA 70360

Phone: 985-333-2020

Monday: 7:30 AM–5:30 PM
Tuesday–Thursday: 7:30 AM–4:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM–3 PM
Saturday: 8 AM–12 PM

Sunday: No regular clinic hours listed.

Thibodaux Community Health Center

312 East Bayou Road
Thibodaux, LA 70301

Phone: 985-266-0444

Monday–Wednesday: 8 AM–4:30 PM
Thursday: 8 AM–5:30 PM
Friday: 8 AM–3 PM

Saturday–Sunday: No regular clinic hours listed.

New Orleans Community Health Center

2300 South Galvez Street
New Orleans, LA 70125

Phone: 504-332-5713

Monday–Thursday: 8 AM–4:30 PM
Friday: 8 AM–3 PM

Saturday–Sunday: No regular clinic hours listed.

Covington Community Health Center

1505 North Florida Street
Covington, LA 70433

Phone: 985-900-1626

Monday–Thursday: 8 AM–4:30 PM
Friday: 7 AM–3 PM

Behavioral health: Additional Tuesday session listed 4:30–5:30 PM.

Mandeville Community Health Center

2150 General Pershing Street
Mandeville, LA 70448

Phone: 985-951-4716

Monday–Thursday: 8 AM–4:30 PM
Friday: 8 AM–3 PM

Counseling: Thursday and Friday services may begin at 7 AM.

Which Clinic Should You Choose?

Terrebonne Parish: Houma.

Lafourche Parish: Thibodaux.

New Orleans area: South Galvez Street.

St. Tammany Parish: Covington or Mandeville.

Choose based on the service you need, transportation and appointment availability.

Saturday option: Houma’s Civic Center Boulevard clinic lists Saturday hours from 8 AM to noon. Call before visiting to confirm that the specific service or provider you need is available.

Important: Other START Offices Are Not the Same as a Medical Clinic

START Corporation provides additional community services in Houma and other Louisiana locations. Some share nearby street addresses, but they are not interchangeable with a primary-care appointment.

Office or ServiceAddress / Contact
START Community Health Center235 Civic Center Blvd., Houma
985-333-2020
Magnolia Street START location420 Magnolia St., Houma
985-879-3966
Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-In Center235 Civic Center Blvd., Houma
985-333-1633
Medical Records106 School St., Houma
records@startcorp.org
Homeless Outreach & Coordinated Entry420 Magnolia St., Houma
1-888-879-7215
Youth & Family Services235 Civic Center Blvd., Houma
985-266-1028
Location accuracy: START’s contact page identifies both 235 Civic Center Boulevard and 420 Magnolia Street in Houma. Do not automatically go to Magnolia Street for a medical appointment scheduled at Civic Center Boulevard. Follow your appointment confirmation.

Healthcare Services Available at START

START combines medical, behavioral-health and support programs. Some services are available across the clinic network, while others are limited to particular locations or provider schedules.

Primary Care

Routine medical visits, examinations, common illnesses, preventive healthcare, chronic-condition follow-up and clinical referrals.

Behavioral Health

Mental health assessments, counseling, psychiatric evaluations and medication management when clinically appropriate.

Substance-Use Treatment

Assessment, treatment planning, counseling and recovery-related support for substance-use concerns.

HIV Medical Care

HIV treatment, medication management, follow-up care, case management and prevention-related services.

HIV Prevention & PrEP

HIV testing, prevention counseling, PrEP-related care and other sexual-health services according to eligibility and availability.

Dental Care in Houma

Dental exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions and other dental services offered through the Houma clinic.

Hepatitis Care

Hepatitis-related screening, treatment and hepatology services with appropriate evaluation and referral.

Medicaid Enrollment

Assistance understanding insurance options and applying for qualifying health coverage.

Community Support

Case management, assistance with barriers to treatment and referrals to community resources.

Patient tip: when calling, name the exact service you need. A general primary-care appointment, behavioral-health appointment, dental appointment and HIV treatment visit may use different scheduling teams.

For an example of how another federally qualified health center coordinates primary care, dental treatment, counseling and income-based fees, see the ParkTree Community Health Center services guide. ParkTree operates in California and is not affiliated with START.

How to Schedule an Appointment

START’s federal public-health directory listings identify appointments as required. Call the appropriate clinic before visiting, particularly for new-patient care, specialized treatment or testing.

Select your clinic

Choose Houma, Thibodaux, New Orleans, Covington or Mandeville based on where you can travel and where your service is offered.

Call the clinic directly

Use the telephone number in the location directory above. For Houma’s main clinic, call 985-333-2020.

Explain why you need care

Tell the scheduler whether you need primary care, counseling, HIV services, dental treatment, a prescription-related appointment or an insurance consultation.

Identify your patient status

Say whether you are an existing START patient, transferring from another provider or seeking your first appointment.

Discuss coverage and costs

Provide your insurance details or ask about the sliding-fee discount if uninsured or facing financial hardship.

Ask about transportation and access

Discuss any transportation barrier, interpreter need, accessibility requirement or appointment-time restriction.

Confirm the appointment

Write down the provider, department, clinic address, appointment date, time and instructions for early arrival.

Bring the required documents

Prepare identification, insurance information, medications, income documents if seeking discounts, and pertinent medical records.

What to Bring to Your First Visit

The official START patient checklist identifies several items that help the clinic register new patients and coordinate care.

Document or InformationWhy It Helps
Driver’s license or picture IDPatient identity and registration.
Insurance card, if insuredCoverage and billing verification.
Current medicationsMedication review, safety and treatment planning.
Proof of incomeFinancial screening and potential sliding-fee eligibility.
Prior records, if availableMedical history and continuity of care.
Allergy and health historyAppropriate clinical assessment.
Questions or symptoms listHelps you discuss your main concerns during the appointment.

If a document is unavailable, contact the clinic rather than automatically missing your appointment. Staff can explain the required documentation and whether alternatives are acceptable.

Transferring From Another Doctor

  1. Tell START that you currently receive care elsewhere.
  2. Provide the former doctor’s office name and telephone number.
  3. Ask about the authorization needed to request records.
  4. Complete the approved release-of-information form if required.
  5. Confirm who will follow up on the transfer.
  6. Bring important medication information to the first appointment even if records are still being transferred.

START says its staff can help arrange transfer of previous medical records and coordinate follow-up with the former healthcare provider.

Insurance, Medicaid, Medicare & Sliding-Fee Discounts

START Community Health Centers accept Medicaid, Medicare, participating private insurance and uninsured patients. The organization publishes a 2026 sliding-scale discount table and provides help applying for coverage.

Medicaid

Ask which Louisiana Medicaid plans and managed-care networks the clinic currently accepts.

Medicare

Confirm whether your particular Medicare plan, provider and proposed service are covered.

Private Insurance

Verify the insurer, network, referrals, authorization requirements and possible copayments.

Uninsured Patients

Ask about reduced fees calculated according to household size and income.

How the Sliding-Fee Process Works

Tell the clinic you need financial assistance

Request an explanation of the current sliding-fee discount program when arranging your appointment.

Check the eligibility criteria

Staff can explain how household income and household size affect eligibility under the 2026 schedule.

Prepare income information

Bring the proof of income requested by the clinic, along with other information needed for financial screening.

Ask about insurance enrollment

A Certified Application Counselor may help with qualifying health-insurance applications.

Confirm your actual charges

Ask what you owe for the scheduled service and whether outside specialists, testing or prescriptions could have separate costs.

Important: a sliding-fee discount is not a guarantee that every appointment, procedure or medicine is free. Discount levels depend on eligibility, and your individual bill may include services with different coverage rules.

For a comparison of patient financial-assistance processes at another nonprofit health center, our Community Health Alliance Wells Avenue insurance and sliding-fee guide covers Nevada’s separate healthcare system.

START Pharmacy: Locations, Hours & Prescription Rules

START operates pharmacies associated with its healthcare network. The official pharmacy page identifies locations in Houma and Covington.

PharmacyAddress & Telephone
Houma START Pharmacy 235 Civic Center Boulevard, Suite 136, Houma, LA 70360
985-266-0148
Covington START Pharmacy 1505 North Florida Street, Suite 139, Covington, LA 70433
985-276-9919

Published Pharmacy Hours

Monday–Thursday8 AM–4:30 PM
Friday8 AM–3 PM
Saturday–SundayNo regular pharmacy hours listed

Prescription Delivery and Restrictions

START states that pharmacy courier services can deliver prescriptions to patients across its clinic service areas, potentially on the same day or the following day.

Important restriction: START Pharmacy generally fills prescriptions written through START Corporation. It does not ordinarily accept prescriptions from unrelated outside providers unless the prescription is connected to a referral made by a START clinician.

How to Request a Prescription

  1. Confirm that you are an eligible START patient.
  2. Ask your START clinician about the prescription or refill needed.
  3. Contact the Houma or Covington pharmacy.
  4. Check medication availability, insurance and patient costs.
  5. Ask whether courier delivery is available to your location.
  6. Confirm the pickup or delivery arrangements before relying on a specific date.

HIV Care, STI Testing, PrEP & Hepatitis Services

START offers HIV-related healthcare and prevention services through its Louisiana clinic network. Services can include medical evaluation, laboratory testing, medication management, case management and ongoing treatment.

HIV Testing

HIV testing and counseling through eligible clinics. Ask whether an appointment is required and what testing options are available.

HIV Treatment

Medication management, ongoing clinical monitoring and support with staying in care.

PrEP Prevention

HIV prevention assessment and PrEP-related services when clinically appropriate.

STI & Hepatitis Services

Testing and care for selected sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis conditions.

Case Management

Assistance overcoming obstacles to appointments, treatment adherence and continuing medical care.

Nutrition & Support

Dietitian appointments and support groups within applicable START programs.

Questions to Ask When Booking

  • Which nearby clinic provides the specific testing or treatment?
  • Is an appointment required?
  • Will the consultation or laboratory test be covered by your insurance?
  • Can a sliding-fee discount apply?
  • Is the service confidential, and how are results delivered?
  • Do you need a referral for specialized care?
  • How will prescriptions and follow-up appointments be handled?
Service-specific information: federal CDC listings describe HIV/STI prevention and treatment activities at individual START clinics. Availability, cost and testing methods should be confirmed with your chosen location.

Dental Care at the Houma Clinic

START specifically identifies Houma as the location offering dental care in its main clinic network.

Published dental services include examinations, cleanings, fillings and extractions. Treatment depends on the patient’s needs, dental provider availability and eligibility.

How to Arrange a Dental Visit

  1. Call the Houma clinic at 985-333-2020.
  2. Ask for the dental department and confirm that appointments are available.
  3. Explain whether you need a checkup, cleaning, tooth assessment or other dental service.
  4. Ask about eligibility for new dental patients.
  5. Confirm dental insurance or sliding-fee options.
  6. Ask whether a separate examination is needed before a procedure can be scheduled.
  7. Confirm the arrival location, time and any required documents.
Do not assume every START clinic has dentistry. If you live in New Orleans, Covington, Mandeville or Thibodaux, confirm whether Houma treatment or a separate referral is the appropriate option.

If you want to understand how another community health center organizes medical and dental appointments, the San Fernando Community Health Center patient-services guide provides a separate California comparison.

Behavioral Health & Crisis Services

START provides behavioral-health assessment, counseling, psychiatric evaluations, medication management and community-based support.

Behavioral-health services may be coordinated with primary care or scheduled with an appropriate licensed clinician.

Specialized Crisis Contact in Houma

ServiceBehavioral Health Crisis Walk-In Center & Mobile Crisis Response
Address235 Civic Center Boulevard, Houma, LA 70360
Phone985-333-1633
General Clinic985-333-2020
Safety: the crisis contact is not a substitute for emergency services in an immediately dangerous situation. Call 911 for an immediate threat to life. In the United States, 988 provides crisis support by call or text.

The organization also describes Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) services such as coordinated outpatient treatment, crisis response, case management and recovery support.

Transportation Help & Accessibility

START states that transportation may be available for patients traveling to or from a clinic within approximately a 15-minute radius.

Transport is not automatically guaranteed. Availability can depend on your location, the requested appointment and scheduling resources.

Request Transportation in Five Steps

  1. Call your START clinic before the appointment.
  2. Explain that you need help getting to the location.
  3. Provide your general pickup area and appointment details through the approved staff process.
  4. Ask whether the 15-minute service-area rule applies to you.
  5. Confirm pickup time, return transportation and any costs or restrictions.

Other Accessibility Questions

  • Is step-free access available at my assigned clinic?
  • Where is the accessible entrance?
  • Can I request language or interpretation assistance?
  • Can a caregiver accompany the patient?
  • What help is available for patients who have difficulty completing forms?
  • Are remote or alternative appointment arrangements available for my service?

Medical Records, Referrals & Follow-Up Care

START’s Health Information Management contact is listed at 106 School Street, Houma, LA 70360.

Medical records email: records@startcorp.org

Request or Transfer Records

Identify the record request

Decide whether you need records sent to START or a copy of your START records sent to another provider.

Contact Health Information Management

Ask which release form and identification requirements apply.

Use the approved authorization

Complete the necessary medical-record consent or release process.

Confirm the receiving provider

Verify the destination name, office details and permitted delivery method.

Follow up securely

Ask the records team how to check request status without exposing sensitive health information through an unofficial website.

For an example of another health center with patient-portal access and detailed medical-record instructions, read our Manet Community Health Center medical-records guide. Manet operates separately in Massachusetts.

Privacy reminder: do not include sensitive medical details in ordinary unencrypted email unless the health center specifically confirms an approved secure process.

Map & Directions to the Houma Clinic

The principal START Community Health Center location is on Civic Center Boulevard in Houma, Louisiana.

Main Clinic235 Civic Center Boulevard, Houma, LA 70360
Phone985-333-2020
Fax985-851-0162
Emailinfo@startcorp.org
ParkingConfirm accessible spaces, visitor parking and drop-off arrangements with the clinic.

Before Driving

  1. Enter 235 Civic Center Boulevard, Houma, LA 70360 into your preferred navigation app.
  2. Check your appointment confirmation for the correct department.
  3. Allow time for registration and local traffic.
  4. Ask staff about accessible arrival instructions if required.
  5. Do not substitute START corporate-office or Magnolia Street addresses for a Civic Center Boulevard appointment.

Choose the Right Service Before Calling

Your NeedBest Starting Point
General checkup or recurring medical concernCall your nearest START primary-care clinic.
Counseling or psychiatric supportAsk about behavioral-health scheduling at your clinic.
HIV testing or treatmentAsk the clinic for HIV care and prevention services.
Dental examination or treatmentCall Houma at 985-333-2020.
Prescription or refill questionContact START Pharmacy at Houma or Covington.
No insurance or difficulty payingAsk about the 2026 sliding fee and insurance enrollment.
Transfer medical recordsContact START Health Information Management.
Transportation barriersAsk the scheduling team about transportation availability.
Behavioral-health crisisCall 985-333-1633 for START’s Houma crisis service; use 911 for immediate danger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is START Community Health Center located?

START operates principal clinics in Houma, Thibodaux, New Orleans, Covington and Mandeville, Louisiana. The main Houma clinic is at 235 Civic Center Boulevard, Houma, LA 70360.

What is START Community Health Center’s phone number?

The main Houma clinic phone number is 985-333-2020. Thibodaux is 985-266-0444, New Orleans is 504-332-5713, Covington is 985-900-1626 and Mandeville is 985-951-4716.

What are the START Community Health Center hours in Houma?

Houma lists Monday 7:30 AM–5:30 PM, Tuesday–Thursday 7:30 AM–4:30 PM, Friday 7:30 AM–3 PM and Saturday 8 AM–noon. Individual departments may have different schedules.

Does START Community Health Center accept uninsured patients?

Yes. START accepts uninsured patients and offers an income-based sliding-fee discount for eligible individuals and households. Medicaid, Medicare and participating private insurance are also accepted.

What healthcare services does START provide?

Services include primary care, behavioral health, substance-use treatment, HIV care, PrEP, hepatitis care, Medicaid enrollment assistance and community support. Dental services are specifically offered in Houma.

Does START Community Health Center offer dental services?

Yes. Dental care is available at the Houma clinic. Published services include examinations, cleanings, fillings and extractions. Call 985-333-2020 for scheduling and eligibility information.

Does START have a pharmacy?

Yes. START Pharmacy lists a Houma location at 235 Civic Center Boulevard, Suite 136, phone 985-266-0148, and a Covington location at 1505 North Florida Street, Suite 139, phone 985-276-9919.

Can I get HIV testing or treatment at START?

START offers HIV testing, treatment, prevention services, PrEP-related care and case management through eligible clinic locations. Contact your preferred clinic to confirm the available service and appointment requirements.

Does START help patients with transportation?

START states that transportation assistance may be available within approximately a 15-minute radius of the clinic. Contact staff when scheduling to check whether your trip qualifies and whether transportation is available.

How do I make an appointment at START Community Health Center?

Call your preferred clinic, explain the service needed, provide your patient and insurance status, ask about financial assistance if needed, and confirm your appointment date, time, address and required documents.

Official START Resources & Patient Actions

Use these first-party sources for appointment arrangements, patient forms, financial assistance, clinic services and pharmacy questions.

Independent patient-information guide reviewed October 27, 2026. Community-center.org is not operated by START Corporation and does not schedule medical appointments, access patient records or provide clinical treatment. Confirm appointments, insurance, fees and service availability directly with START. Call 911 for emergencies.