A Guide to Healthcare Services in Hays, Kansas
Access to good healthcare is one of the most common questions we hear from people considering a move to Hays, Kansas. It makes sense — western Kansas is rural, and knowing what's actually available locally (versus what requires a drive to Wichita or Kansas City) matters when you're deciding where to plant roots. This guide walks through the healthcare services based in Hays so you have a clear picture before you move.
Quick answer: Hays is home to HaysMed (part of The University of Kansas Health System), a 200+ bed hospital that provides the only tertiary-level care in the region, including a 24/7 Level III trauma emergency department. Beyond the hospital, Hays has walk-in urgent care, multiple family medicine and primary care clinics, dental and vision providers, pharmacies, and High Plains Mental Health Center for behavioral health and substance use services covering a 20-county region of northwest Kansas.
A note before we go further: this guide is meant to help you get oriented, not to serve as medical advice. Always confirm current hours, accepted insurance, and services directly with each provider.
HaysMed — The Region's Main Hospital
HaysMed (2220 Canterbury Dr) is a private, not-for-profit hospital and part of The University of Kansas Health System. It's the largest healthcare facility in the region and the only one offering tertiary-level (highly specialized) care in western Kansas, which means many residents who'd otherwise have to travel to Wichita or Kansas City for advanced care can get it here instead.
Services include:
DeBakey Heart Institute — the first cardiology program serving western Kansas
Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute — oncology care
Emergency Department — open 24/7, providing Level III trauma services and a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)
Orthopedics, joint, and spine care
Women's, infant, and pediatric services, including labor and delivery
Diagnostic imaging and an eye surgery center
Robotic surgery program
Rehabilitation services and hospice care
Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center
Sleep and neurodiagnostic services
Main line: (785) 623-5000
Urgent & Emergency Care
For anything serious or life-threatening, HaysMed's Emergency Department (2220 Canterbury Dr, (785) 623-5555) is open around the clock.
For illnesses or injuries that need prompt attention but aren't emergencies, HaysMed's Convenient Care Clinic (3216 Vine St, Suite 20) is a walk-in option — no appointment needed, open seven days a week.
Primary Care & Family Medicine
Hays has a solid number of primary care and family medicine options, most affiliated with HaysMed:
HaysMed Family Medicine (2509 Canterbury Dr, (785) 623-5095) — primary care for newborns, children, and adults, including routine check-ups, immunizations, and chronic condition management
First Care Clinic (105 W 13th St, (785) 621-4990) — family medicine with nurse practitioners on staff
Beyond these two, HaysMed's broader provider network includes numerous family medicine physicians and nurse practitioners practicing out of the Canterbury Drive campus and other clinic locations around town.
Pharmacies
Prescription pickup in Hays is straightforward, with pharmacy counters at:
Dillons Pharmacy
Walmart Pharmacy (4301 Vine St)
First Care Clinic Pharmacy (1301 Main St, (785) 301-9390)
Dental & Vision Care
Hays has several established dental and vision practices:
Cedar Lodge Dental Group (1001 Cody Ave, (785) 625-7369) — family and cosmetic dentistry
Lifetime Dental Care (2701 Sternberg Dr, (785) 625-7969)
Werth Family Dental
eyeSMILE Vision + Dental (1300 Main St, (785) 621-4242) — combined vision and dental care
Canterbury Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (2901 Canterbury Dr, (785) 628-1079)
Werth Eye Group (625 E 8th St, (785) 625-2922)
Mental & Behavioral Health
High Plains Mental Health Center (208 E 7th St, (785) 628-2871) is a licensed Community Mental Health Center and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic serving a 20-county area of northwest Kansas. Services include counseling and therapy, psychiatry, substance use disorder treatment, crisis intervention, and case management for children, adolescents, and adults.
Fitness & Rehabilitation
HaysMed's Center for Health Improvement, located in the Bickle/Eagle Health Complex, is an accredited fitness center that combines hospital-based fitness and rehabilitation programs with occupational medicine and independent physician clinics — a useful resource if physical therapy or ongoing rehab is part of your healthcare picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main hospital in Hays, Kansas? HaysMed, located at 2220 Canterbury Dr, is the region's main hospital and part of The University of Kansas Health System.
Does Hays have a 24-hour emergency room? Yes. HaysMed's Emergency Department is open 24/7 and provides Level III trauma services.
Is there urgent care in Hays, Kansas? Yes. HaysMed's Convenient Care Clinic offers walk-in urgent care seven days a week, without needing an appointment.
Where can I find mental health services in Hays? High Plains Mental Health Center, located at 208 E 7th St, provides counseling, psychiatry, and substance use treatment for a 20-county region of northwest Kansas.
Do I need to travel outside Hays for specialized medical care? For many specialties, no — HaysMed provides the only tertiary-level care in the region, which covers a wide range of advanced services locally. For certain highly specialized procedures, referrals to larger metro hospitals may still apply, so it's worth asking your provider directly.
A Note From Us
Healthcare access is a real, practical part of any relocation decision, and it's one of the things we talk through with clients moving to Hays. If you have specific healthcare needs and want a clearer picture of what's available locally before you commit to a move, we're happy to help point you in the right direction.
Myrietta Leach & Curtis Leach The Leach Realty Group | Keller Williams Realty Signature Partners LLC theleachrealtygroup.com
Sources: HaysMed (haysmed.com), Hays Area Chamber of Commerce member directory, High Plains Mental Health Center (hpmhc.com), HaysMed Foundation. Provider hours, locations, and accepted insurance can change — please verify current details directly with each provider before publishing or relying on this information for a medical decision.
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