Clinic Locations
Health Care Options - Free Clinics
NCAFC member Free Clinics are independent, nonprofit, volunteer-driven and community-based organizations. Each clinic sets its own eligibility requirements and guidelines. However, there are common characteristics that most clinics follow:
Serve the Uninsured: Most clinics only serve those without health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid.
Serve Their Local Area: Clinics typically only see clients who live in their local area, usually the county.
Have Income Restrictions: There are maximum income levels set, based on the Federal Poverty level.
Provide Services Based on Volunteers: Clinics are volunteer-based, and can only provide services if the volunteer medical providers are there.
Other notes of interest:
- Clinics offer a variety of health care services, including medical, dental and pharmacy services. However, not all clinics offer all services.
- Clinics may offer 'walk-in' appointments, but many are moving to pre-scheduled appointments.
- Not all areas/counties have a free clinic; clinics are created and operated by a passionate, dedicated group of volunteers, and if that group does not exist, a clinic cannot exist.
- Many clinics ask for a voluntary donation from their clients, or may charge a small adminstrative fee.
- Services provided by a free clinic are offered as a privilege, not a 'right'.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: Free Clinics provide what they can for as many as they can when they can, but they cannot provide services to all of the uninsured in their area. Please be patient and considerate as your local clinic tries to help you.
To find out more about a free clinic, use our search feature to find a free clinic in your county by clicking here, and then contact the clinic directly.
Also, the NC Institute of Medicine has launched on online search tool for finding health care services for the uninsured - the link is http://www.nchealthcarehelp.org/. This includes Free Clinics and other organizations.
Another source of information is the United Way "2-1-1" service.
2-1-1 offers access to the following types of services:
- Basic Human Needs Resources
- Employment Supports
- Physical and Mental Health Resources
- Support for Children, Youth and Families
- Support for Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities
- Volunteer Opportunities and Donations
Call 2-1-1 or 1-888-UW211NC (1-888-892-1162) to access the service. You can access it online by clicking here.