How to start a free clinic

Generally:

• Free Clinics are not required to obtain any special licensing as a clinic in Pennsylvania
• Free Clinics operate similarly to a private practice physician’s office
  • physicians must be involved in planning the clinic
  • the clinic must operate within the purview of a physician’s license
• Free Clinics typically do not have licensed pharmacies
  • may operate a “dispensary” under the auspices of their Medical Director’s license
• All providers of health services must be
  • currently licensed to practice in Pennsylvania
  • volunteers must be credentialed by the clinics

If you are interested in starting a free clinic:

• Don’t reinvent the wheel
• Look at several different clinics models
• Contact FCAP for additional information and guidance

Important Resources:

• Legal and Operational Guide for Free Medical Clinics (legal and operational information)
• Volunteers in Medicine® (developing help)
• VIM model (resources and materials)
• VIM Alliance (membership once open)