PFC/VCN

About PFC/VCN

Mission Statement

To coordinate voluntary health care services for those who would not otherwise have access to medical care, through the leadership, training and volunteer services of health care professionals in the Central Ohio medical community.

Introduction

The Physicians Free Clinic/Voluntary Care Network (PFC/VCN) is the largest coordinator of voluntary health care services in Franklin County with over 1000 primary/specialty care doctors and 12 hospitals participating. The PFC/VCN connects low-income, uninsured residents with medical homes and improves access (reduce delays) to specialty care. Care coordination addresses the needs of patients as they navigate the health care system and works to provide them with the resources necessary to obtain appropriate health care services.

The PFC/VCN organizes voluntary primary, specialty and hospital based services in an effort to help vulnerable people access healthcare by doing the following:

  • affords increased efficiency in how doctors volunteer their time;
  • provide linkage for patients (under 200% Federal Poverty Guideline) to medical homes;
  • coordinates specialty and diagnostic referrals from primary care safety-net providers and;
  • maximizes the use of funding and in-kind services.


In 2008, Access HealthColumbus and the Columbus Medical Association proactively and voluntarily decided to consolidate the operations of the Physicians Free Clinic and the Voluntary Care Network.  The consolidation became effective in June of 2009 and is governed by The Physicians Free Clinic Board.

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Services

The Physicians Free Clinic (PFC) is open every Monday evening with registration beginning at 4:30 p.m. Space is limited and patients are encouraged to arrive on time. PFC is not open on holidays recognized by the City of Columbus.

PFC is located at the Columbus Health Department, at 240 Parsons Avenue, on the corner of Parsons Avenue and Main Street. COTA provides bus service to this intersection. The COTA bus line is the #2 and runs until 11:45 p.m.

During the Physicians Free Clinic, the main entrance to the Health Department is locked. Please enter through the rear entrance. PFC is located on the second floor.

The Physicians Free Clinic provides primary and specialty care. Primary care is offered on a walk-in basis, while appointments are required for specialty care by doctor referral.

The Voluntary Care Network (VCN) operates daily. Patients participating in this program must have a diagnosed specialty need; and referred by one of our local Community Health Centers, or by volunteer doctors participating in the program.

Care Coordinators can be reached Monday – Friday, 9am to 4pm, at 614-884-2441.

Eligibility Requirements for PFC and VCN:

  • Patients must not have any type of public or private insurance (this includes Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Benefits)
  • Patients must have incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (see chart below)

Federal Poverty Guideline (200%)

Persons in Family or Household

Monthly Income Level

 Yearly Income Level

1

$1,805

$21,660

2

$2,428

$29,140

3

$3,052

$36,320

4

$3,675

$44,100

5

$4,928

$51,580

6

$4,922

$59,060

7

$5,545

$66,540

8

$6,168

$74,020

For each additional person, add

 

     3,740

                                                           

Investors

The work of the PFC/VCN is supported by the following:

FUNDED BY: 

 

 

COMMUNITY PARTNERS (IN-KIND SUPPORTERS):

  • Mount Carmel Health Systems
  • Nationwide Children's Hospital
  • OhioHealth
  • The Ohio State University Medical Center
  • Columbus Public Health
  • Select Optical
  • Essilot of America, Inc.
  • OPI
  • Kroger Pharmacy
  • TOP Network of Ohio
  • 1000+ Central Ohio Doctors