St. Mary's Health Clinics
Frequently Asked Questions
about St. Mary's Health Clinics
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 9 St. Mary’s Health Clinics sites with 13 clinic sessions each week. Some of the clinics operate one afternoon per week while others operate two. Recently, morning hours were added to one site.
Q: How many people volunteer at the Clinics?
A: At last count there were 215 active clinic volunteers – doctors, nurses, admissions people, interpreters, drivers, etc. Last fiscal year (7/1/06-6/30/07) they donated a total of 11,699 volunteer hours.
Q: How many patients are seen at the Clinics?
A: Last fiscal year (7/1/06-6/30/07) the Clinics recorded 5,320 patient visits. That is an average of 9.5 patients per clinic session. On average, each patient was seen twice over the course of the year. Nearly 2/3 of all patients are female, and 11.6% of all patients seen during Fiscal Year 2007 were under the age of 18 and nearly 51% of Clinic patients do not speak English.
Q: Are the people seen in the Clinics employed?
A: During Fiscal Year 2007 (7/1/06-6/30/07) 42.4% of patients were unemployed; 21% were employed full-time but either were not offered or could not afford employer offered insurance benefits; 31.7% of patients seen were employed part-time; 3.5% were self-employed, 1.4% were students.
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, diabetes screening, mammograms, x-rays, blood tests, laboratory tests, diagnoses and treatment for stomach problems, hypertension, gynecological problems, urinary tract infections, etc. They also help people manage diabetes and other health issues by providing most medications needed.
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. 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 addition, the Clinics do not provide most immunizations. These are available through county extension programs for free or at low cost.
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 to the patient doesn’t mean care costs nothing. 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 Sisters of St. Joseph Ministries Foundation sponsors the annual Carondelet Gala, which exclusively benefits St. Mary’s Health Clinics; writes grants to government agencies, other foundations, and individuals for the support of the St. Mary’s Health Clinics; and raises private donations from individuals. The more money received by the St. Mary’s Health Clinics the more people they can help.
