FAQ’s
Q: What are the St. Mary’s Health Clinics?
A: Established in 1992 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul Province, the St. Mary’s Health Clinics are small, neighborhood clinics that provide free health care to low income, uninsured people living in the Twin Cities metro area.
Q: How many St. Mary’s Health Clinics are there in the Twin Cities Metro area?
A: There are currently 8 clinic sites with 14 clinic sessions each week. Some of the clinics operate one afternoon per week while others operate two. St. Mary's Health Clinics also has a morning session in the South Metro and expect to open another in St. Paul early in the new year.
Q: How many people volunteer at the Clinics?
A: At last count there were over 300 active clinic volunteers — doctors, nurses, admissions people, interpreters, drivers, and miscellaneous helpers. Last fiscal year (7/1/08-6/30/09) they put in a total of 12,953 volunteer hours.
Q: How many patients are seen at the Clinics?
A: Last fiscal year (7/1/08-6/30/09) the Clinics recorded 6,134 patient visits. That is an average of 9.1 patients per clinic session. On average, each patient was seen twice over the course of the year.
Q: Is this more or less than in years past?
A: It is the most that we have seen to date in our 17 year history. The last ten years the average number of patient visits has been just over 5,000 per year. Since the clinics were opened in 1992 nearly 78,700 patient visits have been recorded. Of course, in the beginning with only one or two clinics the numbers were low — 340 patient visits the first fiscal year, which was really only a half year, as the clinic opened in January. That soon changed as more clinics were added allowing for more people to be seen. We anticipate over 6,000 patient visits this current fiscal year.
Q: Do the Clinics see more men or women?
A: Women. (Or at least those designated as female, which includes all ages). Nearly 2/3 of all patients are female. This has held true since the clinics opened in 1992. Recent statistics, however, show the percentage of males edging up slightly.
Q: Do the Clinics see children?
A: Yes! Nearly 10% of all patients seen during fiscal year 2009 (7/1/08-6/30/09) were under the age of 18.
Q: Are the people seen in the Clinics employed?
A: Some are, some aren’t. This last fiscal year (7/1/08-6/30/09) nearly 40% of patients were unemployed. 24% were employed full-time but either were not offered or could not afford employer offered insurance benefits, 31% of patients seen were employed part-time, nearly 4% were self-employed, 1% were students.
Q: Do the Clinics see a lot of minorities or immigrants?
A: Yes. The majority of patients seen a the Clinics are Hispanic (64%), 21% are Caucasian, 9% are African or African-American. A small percentage of patients seen are Asian, Native American or multi-racial. Currently nearly 49% of Clinic patients do not speak English. This is a significant change from our beginnings when 42% of patients were Caucasian, 47% were African or African-American, and the remainder were a mix of Asian, Hispanic and Native Americans. This statistic reflects a continuing demographic change in our patient population.
Q: What kind of health related issues do the Clinics take care of?
A: While the clinics see their share of sore throats, rashes and coughs, they also provide a wide range of health care services — going beyond the band-aid and cough syrup image of many free clinics. With the help of area specialty physicians, health care providers, and pharmacists, the Clinics are able to assist people with a wide range of diagnoses and treatments. In addition to sore throats, coughs, colds, flu, rashes, aches and pains, the Clinics, along with their specialty partners, provide physicals, mamograms, diabetes screening, treatment, and education, x-rays, blood tests, laboratory tests, diagnoses and treatment for hypertension, stomach problems, gynecological problems, urinary tract infections, etc. They also help people manage diabetes and other health issues by providing most medications needed to control or cure a health problem.
Q: Is there anything that the Clinics do not take care of?
A: Yes. Because the clinics are transitional and are concerned about the quality and continuity of care delivered, they do not see patients for pre-natal, mental health, dental, emergency, and/or complicated chronic diagnoses. The Clinics also do not provide birth control. Persons who call the Clinics for an appointment and are not eligible for the Clinics because of the preceding are referred to area clinics or services that can provide this type of care at a reduced or sliding fee basis. In additions, the Clinics do not provide most immunizations. These are available through county extension programs for free or at low cost.
Q: How is eligibility determined? Who qualifies for the Clinics?
A: There are a few basic requirements — other than those outlined in the previous question/answer. One is no health insurance, which includes but is not limited to such government programs as Medicare, Medicaid, Medical Assistance, etc. There is also an income limit which is designed to identify those who would either be able to afford private insurance or would qualify for government programs such as MinnesotaCare or Medical Assistance. Income guidelines are determined using a number of factors such as family size, etc. A person must also be a resident of the seven county metropolitan area (or a Minnesota county whose borders touch the seven county area). The goal of St. Mary’s Health Clinics is to catch and care for those who are falling through the cracks because they do not qualify for government health care assistance but are still not able to obtain insurance on their own or through their employer. There are other requirements as well. To determine eligibility call 651-287-7777 and speak with one of our intake and scheduling coordinators.
Q: I just got a new job, but my insurance doesn’t start for three months. Will the Clinics see me?
A: Yes -- provided you fall within the Clinics’ eligibility guidelines. The St. Mary’s Health Clinics take care of a lot of people who are waiting for their insurance to “kick in” or for approval on their application for government programs such as MinnesotaCare, Medical Assistance, etc. As a matter of fact, many patients seen at the Clinics (57% during fiscal year 2009) were seen only once.
Q: How much does it cost to be seen at St. Mary's Health Clinics?
If you fall within the Clinic' eligibility guidelines there is no cost -- all services are free.
Q: How do the Clinics pay for services provided?
A: The saying is true that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Free for the patient doesn’t mean care costs nothing or that no one has to pay. However, the St. Mary’s Health Clinics are able to get a LOT of bang for their buck by working with area health care providers, specialty physicians, and pharmacies, who provide services or product free or at a discount. The Clinics also save money by utilizing the volunteer services of physicians, nurses, interpreters, admissions personnel and drivers at each clinic site. The clinic site itself is provided at no charge by the host (the churches, schools, etc.). Utilizing sample medications and keeping a watchful eye on prescribed medications are another way the Clinics save money while providing quality patient care.
The patient services costs that are not discounted and other things like staff salaries, office supplies, central office rent, etc. are paid for through the generosity of many individuals, groups and foundations. The Associates of St. Mary’s Clinics gift the Clinics with a check each year — proceeds from their membership dues and fundraising projects. The CSJ Ministries Foundation writes grants to government agencies, other foundations, and individuals for the support of the St. Mary’s Health Clinics. Other groups (church and civic) and individuals who support the mission of the Clinics also donate funds ranging from pocket change to thousands of dollars each year to the Clinics. The more money received by the St. Mary’s Health Clinics the more people they can help.
July, 2009 - FAQsSMHC.exp
