Rhode Island Free Clinic: Our News

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the mission of Rhode Island Free Clinic?
• Why is the Free Clinic necessary?
• How is the Free Clinic different from the Community Health Centers?
• Is the Free Clinic a walk-in clinic?
• Where does the Free Clinic get the money/equipment/manpower to operate?
• What types of support does the Free Clinic need?

What is the mission of Rhode Island Free Clinic?
The mission of Rhode Island Free Clinic is to offer high-quality medical care and preventive health services to individuals who do not have health insurance or cannot afford to purchase those services.  Toward this goal, the clinic will be staffed by volunteers and will also serve an educational role for trainees in health care fields, providing services under the supervision of clinicians from leading academic institutions in Rhode Island.   

Why is the Free Clinic necessary?
There are more than 103,000 uninsured working age adults in Rhode Island. Most are employed; they hold one, sometimes two, low-paying jobs and hover at or just below the poverty line. Without access to primary medical care many patients see a physician in the emergency room - when their illness(es) have escalated to critical levels. There, they will be treated and sent home with a prescription that they often cannot afford to fill. They will likely be referred to an appointment with a primary care physician that is typically during work hours, thus jeopardizing their jobs, and again, an office visit too expensive to afford. As a result, it is difficult for these individuals to follow-up with a primary care physician and take prescribed medication. And so the cycle continues. These individuals need to be healthy so they can continue to support themselves and their families, and be productive members of our community.

How is the Free Clinic different from the Community Health Centers?
The Free Clinic only sees patients who are completely uninsured and charges nothing for its services, including medications. Facilitated referrals to no/low cost diagnostic and specialty services are also provided. We are completely staffed by volunteers - all of our interpreters, physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, diabetic educators, and nutritionists donate their time and services. We also provide community based educational opportunities for medical, nursing and pharmacy students.

Is the Free Clinic a walk-in clinic?
No, the Free Clinic is not a walk-in clinic, although we hold one walk-in day per month to accept new patients. We are a medical home for our patients, who have follow-up appointments as necessary and can be referred to our internal specialty clinics - podiatry, cardiology, diabetes, women's and mental health or to specialty services donated at no or low cost by hospitals and private practices. The Free Clinic focuses on continuing care. We do not handle emergency or urgent care cases.

Where does the Free Clinic get the money/equipment/manpower to operate?
The Free Clinic is an independent non-profit organization and receives no government funding. We do not receive reimbursement from any health insurance companies for the care we provide. The Free Clinic is staffed largely by volunteers whose work is supported by a 4.5 person core staff. Much of our support is in-kind donations of services, supplies, etc. Operating, program, and equipment expenses are funded through individual donations and private and corporate grants from Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island; CVS Charity Classic; Ida Ballou Littlefield Memorial Trust; June Rockwell Levy Foundation; Lifespan; Ocean State Charities Trust; Rhode Island Foundation; and others.

What types of support does the Free Clinic need?
All non-profits need money to operate; we too have to pay our bills for space, staff, and medical supplies. The Free Clinic relies on charitable donations to defray operating costs. We are also undergoing a major renovation and expansion to increase the size and services of our clinic. Fundraising is extremely important to this project. There are many opportunities to contribute donations, allowing the Free Clinic to care for more of those in need. After this expansion is complete, we will need even more volunteers and donations of all kinds. With your support, the Free Clinic will reach more uninsured adults who need our services.