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)