Facts About Michigan Free Clinics
Free clinics are nonprofit organizations that use volunteer health professionals to provide free or low cost health care to uninsured persons.
Across Michigan, more than 50 free clinics serve tens of thousands of uninsured residents each year.
Free clinics provide not only minor emergency care, but also ongoing chronic care to prevent unnecessary emergency room visits.
Less than 10% of free clinics in Michigan collect any fees from patients. Of those clinics that do charge a fee, many use a sliding scale fee system. Free clinics are not supported by insurance reimbursement.
More than 98% of the patients seen in Michigan’s Free Clinics are uninsured. Most of the free clinics’ clientele is 100% uninsured. Only three free clinics across the state see Medicaid patients.
Each month, free clinics across the state serve more than 7,500 uninsured citizens. Free clinics see an average of 204 patients per month. Some clinics see more than 600 patients each month.
More than 3200 hours are donated per week by volunteer health care professionals to free clinics across the state. Free clinics have an average of 2.6 full-time employees and operate with an average of 85.4 hours of volunteer time per week.
Michigan’s Free Clinics vary in age from one year to sixty years in service to their communities.
The mission of free clinics is supported by their sponsoring organization, grant funding, and the generosity of donors. More than half of the free clinics have hospital or health system affiliations. Many are church sponsored.
Across the state, free clinics spent more than $9.1 million in 2008 providing care to tens of thousands of Michigan’s uninsured. The average budget of a free clinic in Michigan is less than $190, 000.
Services provided include primary care services for children and adults, mental health care, prescription assistance, dental, patient education programs, specialty services, optometry services, and social services.
Many free clinics receive in-kind diagnostic services such as labs and x-rays from local hospitals.
Free clinics provide the only means of access to health care for many Michigan families. Free clinics are an essential part of the health care system.
