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.