Free Clinic Eligibility
Prospective patients must have all required eligibility documents together and be accepted as a new patient prior to making an appointment. Find a complete list and application here.
Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic (BIFMC), a free clinic in Charleston, SC, is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization that provides continuing primary health care to uninsured adults who reside or work on Johns, James & Wadmalaw Islands; Folly Beach; Meggett; Ravenel; Hollywood; or Walterboro – including those who serve downtown Charleston & West Ashley’s Hospitality Industry. Determining income eligibility is based on household size; an example would be a single-person household with an annual income of $43,594 or less (the gross income level eligibility increases per each additional household family member – try this helpful FPL calculator.) To qualify for our free healthcare, you must:
–Reside or work on Johns, James & Wadmalaw Islands; Folly Beach; Meggett; Ravenel; Hollywood; or Walterboro; or serve West Ashley or downtown Charleston’s Hospitality Industry.
–Have no health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or VA medical benefits
-Have household income at 299% of the Federal Poverty Level or less annually within a single person household (Check Here For Household Size Income Eligibility) Are you Eligible? Take our Easy Quiz.
[Are you a business owner within any of these eligible areas? Your employees may qualify. Learn More Here.]Documents You Will Need to Provide Us
To establish yourself as a patient, you will need to provide The Free Clinic with the following information:
- Personal Identification – one of the following: driver’s license, ID, passport or birth certificate.
- Proof of Residency or Employment within eligible districts – one of the following will work: Photo ID with current address, lease, mortgage, utility bill in patient’s name, rent slip, school registration, voter registration, etc.
- No medical insurance or eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, or VA benefits. [How to Indicate NO HEALTH INSURANCE on Tax Filings]
Prepare for Your Visit
Before you schedule an appointment, you will need to Download and Complete Our Patient Application and bring it with you to the free clinic. Details will include:
- New Patient Instructions
- Medical History Form
- Consent for Treatment
- Patient Application
If we determine you are not eligible for our free healthcare services, we can direct you to other free patient care clinics throughout the Charleston area. For a national Volunteers In Medicine directory, click here.