NAFC Members are their community’s response to the healthcare needs in their area. They are on the frontlines in communities throughout the United States providing needed access to a wide range of healthcare services for their uninsured and underinsured neighbors.
What are Free and Charitable Clinics and Charitable Pharmacies?
Free and Charitable Clinics and Charitable Pharmacies 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/pharmacies are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, or operate as a program component or affiliate of a 501(c)(3) organization. Entities that otherwise meet the above definition, but charge a nominal/sliding fee to patients, may still be considered Free or Charitable Clinics or Pharmacies provided essential services are delivered regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. Free or Charitable Clinics and Charitable Pharmacies 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.
Free and Charitable Clinics and Charitable Pharmacies focus on the overall needs of uninsured and underinsured people in their communities throughout the country. They provide a wide range of services, including medical, dental, pharmaceutical, behavioral health, vision, and health education services as well as address social determinants of health through programs like food pantries, job and housing assistance, transportation assistance and more.
Examples of services that are found at Free & Charitable Clinics include:
- Primary Care
- Health Education
- Medication Access
- Labs
- Women’s Health
- Mental Health
- Immunizations
- Dental
- Smoking Cessation
- Social Services
- Specialty Care & Referrals
- Vision
- Substance Abuse
- Nutrition
Patient Eligibility
Who is eligible to be a patient at a Free or Charitable Clinic or Pharmacy ranges and depends on the capacity and needs of each organization and their community. Patients are typically uninsured or underinsured and are within the range of below 100 – 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Some clinics may have restrictions on locations, only seeing a patient if they reside in a particular state, county or zip code. It is important that anyone seeking care contact their local clinic directly to learn more about any possible eligibility requirements.
Types of NAFC Member Organizations:
- Free Clinics
- Charitable Clinics
- Hybrid Clinics
- Student Run Clinics
- Faith-Based Clinics
- Charitable Pharmacies
- Federally Qualified Health Centers
- State/Regional Associations
Our members exemplify the concept of private/public partnerships and operate through the generosity of donors, partners, and volunteers as they receive little to no Federal Funding.
48% of clinics/pharmacies have an operating budget of $250,000 or less.
69% of clinics/pharmacies have an operating budget of $500,000 or less.
15% of clinics/pharmacies have an operating budget of over $1 Million.