What is a free and charitable clinic?

Free Clinics are safety-net health care organizations that:

• utilize a volunteer/staff model to provide a range of medical, dental, pharmacy, vision and/or behavioral health services to economically disadvantaged individuals.
• 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, or operate as a program component or affiliate of a 501(c)(3) organization.

Charitable Clinics are:

• Entities that otherwise meet the above definition, but
  • charge a nominal/sliding fee to patients
  • bill third party insurers such as Medicaid
  • provide essential services regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.

Free or charitable clinics restrict eligibility for their services to:

•  individuals who are:
  • uninsured
  • underinsured
  • and/or have limited or no access to primary, specialty, or prescription health care.