This week, Dr. Todd Crump, medical director for the Free Medical Clinic in Columbia, answers some frequently asked
questions about care received from free medical clinics.
Q: What is a free medical clinic?
A: Specifically
at our clinic, we treat poor people with health care needs who would
otherwise go without those needs met. When the economy tanked, people
lost their jobs, their insurance and their homes. But they didn’t lose
their high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma. They must continue to be
served and that’s where we step in.
Q: Who qualifies to be seen?
A: We
see patients 18 and over who have no insurance, Medicaid or Medicare,
and who fall at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level (about
$15,500 in earnings per year for an individual). We require proof of
income (pay stubs, tax return) or an unemployment form for verification
purposes.
Q: What services are provided?
A: We
provide primary care and specialty care across 24 specialties, in
addition to preventive care — flu shots, pneumonia vaccinations,
mammograms, pap smears, PSA screening, colonoscopies, etc. We also have
lab and diagnostic testing thanks to the three major hospital systems in
the Midlands. We have limited testing on site — blood sugar,
urinalysis, bedside ultrasound. Finally, we provide diabetic supplies
along with medications from our in-house pharmacy.
Q: What services are not provided?
A: We
do not test for sexually transmitted diseases or offer pregnancy
testing or prenatal care. However, we will make referrals to other
appropriate agencies. In addition, controlled substances are not
prescribed nor dispensed.
Q: Will I be responsible for payment of certain services?
A: We
are truly a free clinic. We do not charge patients for visits or for
medications dispensed; however we do accept donations from our patients.
There are 41 other free clinics across the state. To learn more, visit: www.scfreeclinics.org.
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