Our clinic members 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. Such clinics are 501(c)3 tax-exempt organizations or operate as a program component or affiliate of a 501(c)3 organization.

Free and charitable clinics treat the whole patient by providing a combination of care that addresses not only health care needs but also social needs including primary care, chronic care, specialty care, dental care, pharmaceutical care, vision care, women’s health, mental health, health education, case management, care coordination, and various supportive services.

Free Clinic: The nonprofit clinic provides all goods and services at no charge directly to uninsured and/or underserved patients. Services include medical, dental, mental health/behavioral health, and/or medications. Clinic may request or suggest donations. Clinic does not bill any third-party payers, including Medicaid, Medicare, or commercial insurers. A clinic may be a bricks-and-mortar clinic or mobile unit.

Charitable Clinic: The nonprofit clinic provides goods and/or services for a fee directly to uninsured and/or underserved patients. Services include medical, dental, mental health/behavioral health, and/or medications. Clinics may use a flat fee or sliding fee scale. They may bill patients but do not bill third-party payers, including Medicaid, Medicare, or commercial insurers. Clinics may be a bricks-and-mortar clinic or mobile unit.

Hybrid Clinic: The clinic is a free clinic or charitable clinic as noted above, except that it also bills one or more third-party payers, typically Medicaid. Clinic has not been designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), FQHC Look-Alike, or Rural Health Clinic.