The PFC is Here For Those Who Need Us

The Pocatello Free Clinic’s (PFC) mission is to address vital community health needs by providing high-quality healthcare and related services to individuals regardless of their ability to pay and to advocate for policy changes that promote greater access for the under-served resulting in improved community-wide health and wellness outcomes. To be seen at the PFC, an individual cannot have any form of insurance and must fall under 200% of the federal poverty level. Patients who do not meet these guidelines or who have conditions that fall outside of the general scope of care are referred elsewhere-primarily to community health care clinics.

As one of the oldest free clinics in the US, the PFC has a 49 year mission of helping our local community. Healthcare services are provided by a medical doctor, a physician assistant, a RN, pharmacy students, medical assistants, and volunteer health care professionals. Services include medical exams, prescriptions, laboratory work, resource referrals, health education including diabetic education, wellness classes and initiatives, dental exams, dental cleanings, fillings, extractions, and x-rays. The Pocatello Free Clinic is the only free clinic in Idaho east of Twin Falls and serves patients from a variety of counties including Bannock, Bingham, Power, Caribou, Oneida, Franklin, Bear Lake, Bonneville, and Teton.

In 2019, the PFC moved into a new facility, thanks to the assistance of the Portneuf Health Trust. At this new address in Pocatello, the PFC is now connected to the Southeast Idaho Behavioral Crisis Center, a new facility in the area where individuals in any kind of crisis can admit themselves for overnight care. The PFC is now providing the medical care for the uninsured patients at the Crisis Center, patients are walked into the PFC and walked back. In Idaho Falls for example, when these patients are ill, they are transported to the Emergency Room by a policeman, the policeman waits with the patient and escorts them back. This cost is billed to the community, and in Pocatello, this is not happening for non-urgent cases. 

With the move to a more visible location, the PFC saw 30% more patients in 2019 than in 2018. The PFC continues to see the inunsured in the community, and with the advent of COVID-19, also sees the community members who are laid off or newly unemployed. Every dollar donated to the clinic stays right here in southeast Idaho, and helps our local community members.

The PFC sees patients with complex medical issues and provides a medical home for these patients who would otherwise not have one. The top three diagnoses seen in the clinic are Diabetes, Hypertension, and Mental Health. The Pocatello Free Clinic is committed to a healthier community, and believes by raising the health of one, you raise the health of the whole community. And it takes a village to make this happen. Without donations and volunteers, we would not be able to provide these services to southeast Idaho.