The PCM Medical Clinic exists to offer physical, emotional and spiritual healing to hurting people in Lincoln, Nebraska who lack medical insurance or the ability to pay for health care.
We will accomplish this by committing to our core values of compassion, honesty, respect, innovation and stability, and by providing services that are needs responsive and that reflect the love of Christ.
We had a great turn out for the
OPEN HOUSE on July 29th to celebrate the FIRST ANNIVERSARY of our clinic's operation.
Thank you to the over 100 guests who came to celebrate with us!
About Us
Why Is This So Important?
Services
Patients
Volunteer
The PCM Free Medical Clinic provides health care to uninsured residents of Lincoln and Lancaster County who are homeless or low-income. Its primary purpose is to fill gaps in the existing medical network where it is difficult to meet needs of the uninsured as quickly as needed. In the past, many of our patients have used hospital emergency rooms or simply gone without care.
Medical services are provided through a network of practicing and retired volunteer doctors and other medical professionals, with a combination of day, evening and weekend hours. Volunteer doctors and medical professionals can focus on providing care while minimizing their administrative requirements — i.e. they can treat people without worrying about insurance coding, managing staff, paying rent, etc.
This clinic is operated entirely through volunteerism and donations from private sources. Traditional methods of funding such as insurance, Medicaid and Medicare, or government grants are not being accessed for its operation.
In our first year of operation we had 8,221 patient visits. In our second year, we are on track to surpass 10,000.
It can take 4 to 10 weeks for low-income individuals to see a doctor at existing medical providers.
At least 40% of emergency room visits at BryanLGH Medical Center not resulting in admission were for visits that could have been treated in a physician's office or prevented by appropriate treatment.1
Recent US studies show that wait times in hospital emergency rooms increased 36% between 1997 and 2004, with many visits related to the lack of care for chronic illnesses among uninsured and under-insured people.
74% of homeless and near-homeless men did not have a regular physician.2
Top barriers to receiving health care were cost of service (70%), and cost of medication (51%).2
23% used the emergency room as their primary source for health services.2
More than 1 in 5 Nebraskans earning less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level had no health insurance.3
14% of uninsured Nebraskans did not get needed care in the past year.3
12.3% of Nebraskans had no healthcare coverage in 2007 (up from 9.2% in 2000).5
1 in 4 Nebraskans were without coverage during part of the year.6
71% of those without insurance are employed.4
Those most likely to lack access to health care in Nebraska include:3 — Single heads of households with children under age 5.
— Children (21% of uninsured).
— Single adults under age 65.
— Minorities (29% not covered).
11% of Nebraskans live in poverty.
23% of female-headed households live in poverty.
36% of Nebraska children live at or below 200% of the poverty line.
Prompt treatment of minor medical needs and ongoing management of chronic health conditions will improve the health and wellness of uninsured residents of Lincoln. By providing holistic care and patient advocacy, low-income community members will better deal with health concerns that have kept them from living a healthy, self-sufficient life.
Timely treatment of routine illnesses and minor injuries
Maintenance of chronic conditions
Preventive care
Earlier detection and treatment of health problems
Improved access to specialty care
Help in applying for appropriate medical coverage or assistance
Better health will contribute to improved job stability for low-wage-earners
People's City Mission served nearly 2,000 homeless men, women, and children with shelter and another 20,000 low-income residents of Lincoln with food, clothing and household items in 2007. Almost 825,000 meals were given away during the year.
1Assessment of the Safety Net in Lincoln, March 2004 2Blueprint Project, www.CHELincoln.org, 2002 3UNMC Dept of Preventive & Societal Medicine's Nebraska Center for Rural Health Research, Dec. 2004 4Nebraska Health Information Survey Vol. 6 Issue 1, 2006 5United Health Foundation Call to Action Report, 2007 6Going Without Health Insurance, Families USA Foundation Report, 2003
The staff and volunteers of the PCM Free Medical Clinic strive to provide the best health care services we can to our patients. Services available include: medical, dental, vision, mental health, chiropractic, dermatology, physical therapy, and more. For more information on any of the services listed below, please call us (402) 817-0980.
Medical Our medical clinic is open five days a week on a walk in basis. We provide prompt treatment of minor medical needs and ongoing management of chronic health conditions that will improve the health and wellness of uninsured residents of Lancaster County. By providing holistic care and patient advocacy, low-income community members will better deal with health concerns that have kept them from living a health, self-sufficient life. Additional services such as x-ray and lab are also available.
Dental The Free Clinic's dental program provides basic services to children and families who are low income and are without insurance. Services provided include: exams, x-rays, cleaning, fillings, extractions, stainless steel crowns, root canals, as well as partials and dentures. Patients are seen byappointment only.
(Word document of dental history form.)
Vision The Free Clinic's vision exams are offered by appointment only.Should a vision provider determine a patient’s need for prescription glasses they will be able to pick a pair of frames out and we will send them into lab.
School and Sports Physicals Physicals will offer to those who qualify. For more information, please call (402) 817-0980.
Pharmacy Services Prescription assistance is provided to those patients who qualify. We can also assist you in receiving medications long term from pharmaceutical companies.
The People’s City Mission FREE Medical Clinic has helped thousands of patients in its first year of operation and saved several lives in the process. Jeanine is one of those people.
"Thank God for you guys," said Jeanine. "I can go to you guys when I'm not feeling well. I'm not worried now because I know there's a place I can go. There are a lot of people like me out there that need to go to the doctor but don't know where to go."
To be eligible as a patient at the PCM FREE Medical Clinic, you need to be un-insured and at 200% of the federal poverty level or below. You must currently reside in Lancaster County Nebraska. We ask that you bring proof of income with you to your 1st appointment. Pay stub, welfare check, food stamp receipt etc.
2009/2010 HHS Poverty Guidelines
Size of family
unit
100
Percent
of Poverty
110
Percent
of Poverty
125
Percent
of Poverty
150
Percent
of Poverty
175
Percent
of Poverty
185
Percent
of Poverty
200
Percent
of Poverty
1
$10,830
$11,913
$13,538
$16,245
$18,953
$20,036
$21,660
2
$14,570
$16,027
$18,213
$21,855
$25,498
$26,955
$29,140
3
$18,310
$20,141
$22,888
$27,465
$32,043
$33,874
$36,620
4
$22,050
$24,255
$27,563
$33,075
$38,588
$40,793
$44,100
5
$25,790
$28,369
$32,238
$38,685
$45,133
$47,712
$51,580
6
$29,530
$32,483
$36,913
$44,295
$51,678
$54,631
$59,060
7
$33,270
$36,597
$41,588
$49,905
$58,223
$61,550
$66,540
8
$37,010
$40,711
$46,263
$55,515
$64,768
$68,469
$74,020
For family units with more than 8 members, add $3,740 for each additional person at 100% of poverty; $4,114 at 110 %; $4,675 at 125%; $5,610 at 150%; $6,545 at 175%; $6,919 at 185% and $7,480 at 200% of poverty.
Make a Difference. Volunteer. We are an ALL-VOLUNTEER clinic with an incredible team of hundreds of volunteers. Volunteers make these services available, each and every day.
Apply Now!
Our online system uses excellent security protocols to ensure all your information is protected. Applications take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
You will receive an automated email response once you submit the application, and we will contact you within a week or two to complete the registration process. If you have any questions about the application process, please call the Volunteer Office at 402.475.1303. We are happy to help in any way we can!
Medical Staff (MD & DO), Dentists (DDS), and related Medical Volunteers (LPT, PA, ARNP & DPM) need a current unrestricted license for their specialty.
Each Volunteer in these specialties must be approved by the Clinic Credentials Committee.
Provide patient care and documentation in patient charts consistent with their specialty.
Evaluate prescription drug requirements of patients, if needed, and coordinate with in-house pharmacy and the Prescription Drug Assistance Program as necessary to ensure correct drugs are being ordered for both short and long term patient needs.
Nurse Volunteers
Nurse volunteers (RN & LPN) need current unrestricted nursing license.
Nurse Volunteers must be approved by the Clinic Credentials Committee.
Makes intake assessment of patient's illness, allergies, medications, etc.
Takes vitals of patient and records data on patient's chart.
Assists physicians and patients as needed.
Collects completed patient files and verifies entries are complete and correct.
Assists with files and organizing supplies when time permits.
Pharmacist Volunteers
All Pharmacists (PharmD & RPH) need a current unrestricted license.
Pharmacist Volunteers must be approved by the Clinic Credentials Committee.
Dispenses drugs to patients who have prescriptions from CHFC doctors.
Registered pharmacists oversee pharmacist students who work in the pharmacy.
Provides advice and information to doctors, nurses and other volunteers at CHFC.
Coordinates with the Clinic Executive Director and the Drug Assistance Coordinator to get pharmaceutical samples, determine shortages, locate supplies, etc.
Dental Assistant Volunteers
Coordinates all phases of dental treatment.
Maintains dental appointment schedules and patient records.
Performs duties as directed by lead dentists.
Dental Hygenist Volunteers
Dental Hygienist Volunteers need a current unrestricted license.
Each Volunteer must be approved by the Clinic Credentials Committee.
Performs tasks as approved for their specialty.
Provides documentation of patient care.
Eye Clinic Volunteers
Ophthalmologists (MD) and Optometrists (OD) need a current unrestricted license for their specialty.
Each Volunteer in these specialties must be approved by the Clinic Credentials Committee.
Provide patient care and documentation in patient charts consistent with their specialty.
Mental Health Counselor Volunteers
Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers, and other Licensed Mental Health Workers need a current unrestricted license.
Each Volunteer must be approved by the Clinic Credentials Committee.
Provide patient care and documentation in patient charts consistent with their specialty.
Medical Translator Volunteers
Certified Medical Translators.
Bi-lingual medical service providers.
Student Volunteers
Students may volunteer as part of a class, as a clinical experience, or as support staff Clinic Support Volunteer Positions.
Receptionist Volunteers
The Receptionist's primary duty is to answer the telephones.
Secondary duties include coordination with dental patients and the dental clinic coordinator.
Other duties for the Receptionist will be assigned by the Clinic Manager.
Patient Greeter Volunteers
First clinic volunteer to greet patients.
Needs to have positive attitude toward patients.
The Patient Greeter is the primary communication link around the reception area.
Controls patient sign-in sheets for the medical clinics.
Remains at the front desk as long as patients are being registered.
May do various clerical duties for special clinics or on slow days including pulling patient files, filing completed patient files and restocking clerical forms & supplies.
Data Entry Clerk Volunteers
Interviews both new and return patients for medical record information.
Using a computer makes the data entries or data corrections in the patient data base of the Clinic Management System.
Prints the patient's Assessment form for the appropriate clinic.
May do other clerical duties if patient registering is slow, e.g. retrieving patient files, filing completed files and restocking clerical forms & supplies.
Community Resource Volunteers
Community Resource Volunteers need a current license for their specialty.
Provides patient evaluation, counseling and referrals as appropriate for patient situations.
Coordinates with other functions in the clinic regarding necessary medical care as needed.
Prayer Partner Volunteers
Pray with patients who request prayers.
Pray for the Clinic, PCM, staff, and the people served.
General Clinic Volunteers
There is a need for many behind the scene volunteers. These tasks vary and are defined and assigned by the Clinic Manager. They include the following general areas:
Stock clerical, medical and pharmaceutical supplies.
Collect data and statistics for monthly and quarterly reports.
Print forms, reports and other documents for various meetings or public relation uses.
File patient charts.
Miscellaneous housekeeping tasks.
Computer and Data Systems Support (IT) Volunteers
Determines ongoing requirements for hardware and software programs for Clinic Data System.
Monitors system performance.
Provides support when problems or failures occur.
Ensures that system data is backed up periodically.
Provides training as necessary for system users.
Maintains documentation for system and clinic.
Malpractice Insurance
Federal Tort Claims Act Coverage of Free Clinic Volunteer Health Care Professionals
Congress enacted FTCA medical malpractice protection for volunteer free clinic health care professionals through Section 194 of HIPAA (Public Law 104-191) by amending Section 224 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C§ 233). If a volunteer health care professional meets all the requirements of the Program, the related free clinic can sponsor him/her to be “deemed” PHS employee for the purpose of FTCA medical malpractice coverage. FTCA deemed status provides the volunteer health care professionals with immunity from medical malpractice lawsuits resulting from his/her subsequent performance of medical, surgical, dental, or related functions within the scope of his/her works at the free clinic. Claimants alleging acts of medical malpractice by the deemed volunteer health care professional must file their claims against the United Stated according to FTCA requirements. The payment of claims will be subject to an annual FTCA deeming application on behalf of their volunteer free clinic health care professionals to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Primary Health Care (HRSA, BPHC) that administers the Program.
Please contact Ashley Gerlach for more information or to help with the clinic:
The PCM Free Medical Clinic provides health care to uninsured residents of Lincoln and Lancaster County who are homeless or low-income. Its primary purpose is to fill gaps in the existing medical network where it is difficult to meet needs of the uninsured as quickly as needed. In the past, many of our patients have used hospital emergency rooms or simply gone without care. 
The staff and volunteers of the PCM Free Medical Clinic strive to provide the best health care services we can to our patients. Services available include: medical, dental, vision, mental health, chiropractic, dermatology, physical therapy, and more. For more information on any of the services listed below, please call us (402) 817-0980. 
The People’s City Mission FREE Medical Clinic has helped thousands of patients in its first year of operation and saved several lives in the process. Jeanine is one of those people. 
Make a Difference. Volunteer. We are an ALL-VOLUNTEER clinic with an incredible team of hundreds of volunteers. Volunteers make these services available, each and every day. 
Our online system uses excellent security protocols to ensure all your information is protected. Applications take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. 