Frequent Questions
-
What is a free clinic?
Free clinics are nonprofit, community-based organizations that provide medical care at little or no charge to low-income, uninsured and underinsured persons through the use of volunteer health care professionals and partnerships with other health providers. Services vary from clinic to clinic, but may include: primary care, prescription assistance, dental, vision, behavioral health and case management. Ohio has 50+ free medical clinics.
-
With ACA and Medicaid expansion, do we still need free clinics?
Yes! ACA and Medicaid expansion were never intended to be universal health care coverage. There will still be more than 600,000 Ohioans uninsured with full implementation of ACA. Free clinics are a critical part of the healthcare safety net system!
-
Is there a charge for services at free clinics?
Free clinics provide care for patients at little or no cost. Call the clinic before your visit to see if there are any charges or not. Patients are never billed for the services they receive.
-
What does the Charitable Healthcare Network (CHN) do?
The Charitable Healthcare Network's (CHN) purpose is to strengthen and ensure high-quality health care for people who are vulnerable. CHN serves as a convener and conduit to leverage trust-built charitable healthcare providers. CHN is qualified to represent the needs of a network of charitable healthcare institutions united in a cause to increase access to high-quality care for vulnerable populations. In representing the network as a whole, CHN advances a system of care that is localized to the needs of individual geographies. We locate needs and place resources in clinics around Ohio to expand their capacity and services. We provide technical support and planning strategies to help clinics operate in the face of a changing healthcare system. We oversee clinics to assure quality care as we establish and promote standards and provide access to educational opportunities to ensure high-quality care.
-
Who can join the Charitable Healthcare Network?
Our membership includes any organization who contributes to strengthening Ohio's healthcare safety net. Free clinics, charitable clinics, charitable pharmacies, and rural health clinics are just a few types of organizations in our network. If your organization is interested in joining our Network or would like to learn more about membership opportunities, please contact us at: info@charitablehealth.org.
