If you are sick and need to see a doctor, you can go to any one of the free clinics listed and they will treat you for free. If the doctor at the free clinic finds a problem that needs another doctor, they will refer you to the Polk County Medical Society Volunteer Physician Network (VPN) program and get you a specialist at no cost.

The VPN program will get the patient a specialist if they need one, and will get x-rays, lab tests, and hospitalization for the patient if the doctor says you need to go to the hospital. Hospitalization is free to patients who go through the VPN program.

 

Before being accepted in the VPN program to see a specialist, you must:

Visit a free clinic to see a doctor. If the free clinic says you need to see a specialist, you will get one.

You must be uninsured, underinsured or undocumented.

You are not eligible for any other government programs.

The clinic will ask you to sign a form that says you understand your part in the free care program with the specialist.

Some clinics or hospitalization will require you to fill out paperwork on your income prior to seeing a specialist or being hospitalized.

Your income level must be 200% or below the federal poverty guidelines.

You must reside in Iowa

 

The doctors in our program volunteer to treat uninsured patients in their office for free.
If a doctor says you need surgery or hospitalization, the hospital will donate all of the services and you will be treated for free.


1. The doctors and hospitals take turns treating patients so the free care they offer is evenly shared among them.
   
   
2. The specialists do not discriminate due to race, religion, color, sex, disability, age, ancestry, or other traits.
   
   
3. The doctors only make medical decisions about treatment. Those decisions remain between the doctors and patients.
   
   
4. Volunteer Physician Network does not guarantee that all of the medical services a patient may need will be available through the program on a donated basis.

Q. How do I know if I can be in the program?
A. You must be uninsured, underinsured or undocumented. Your income must be 200% or less than the federal poverty level and you can't be eligible for any other government programs. Check the chart to see if you meet the income guidelines.

Q. Can I be in this program if I work?
A. Yes. Many patients referred to our program work, your income must be 200% or less than the federal poverty level. Check the chart to see if you meet the income guidelines.

Q. How do I get in the program?
A. Visit any free clinic listed and they will treat you for free. If the free clinic says you need a specialist, they will refer you to our program.

Q. Is there a lot of paperwork to complete?
A. Some clinics and hospitals will require you to fill out paperwork on your income prior to seeing a specialist or going to a hospital.

 

For a complete listing of participating clinics -click here.

Alphabetical List of Clinics in the Greater Des Moines Area:

Broadlawns Medical Clinic-Primary Care Clinic
1801 Hickman Rd.
Des Moines, IA 50314
515-282-2200
7:30-4:30 p.m.
www.broadlawns.org/primary-care-clinic.cfm

Christ the King Free Clinic
5711 SW 9th St.
Des Moines, IA 50315
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

Corinthian Child Health Clinic
814 School St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

House of Mercy
1409 Clark St.
Des Moines, IA 50314
515-643-6525
M. W Th. F. 8:30-4:30 p.m. & T 9-4 p.m. Closed daily for lunch 11:30-12:30 p.m.
www.houseofmercydesmoines.org

Islamic Center Free Clinic
6201 Franklin Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50322
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

Jim Ellefson Free Medical Clinic
1601 E. 33rd St.
Des Moines, IA 50317
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

La Clinicia De La Esperanza
2679 Maury St.
Des Moines, IA 50317
515- 244-6162
M. W. Th. 8-5 p.m. Th. 8-7 p.m. & F. 8-3 p.m.
No website listed

Mae E. Davis Free Medical Clinic
1312 Maple St.
West Des Moines, IA 50266
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

Maple Street Baptist Free Medical Clinic
1552 Maple St.
Des Moines, IA 50316
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

Margaret Cramer Clinic
2725 Merle Hay Rd.
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

Polk County Health Department
1907 Carpenter Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50314
515-286-3798
M. W. Th. F. 8-5 p.m. & T. 8-7 p.m.
www.polkcountyiowa.gov/health

Primary Health Care
East Side Center
3509 E. 29th St.
Des Moines, IA 50317
515-248-1600
M - Th. 8-8 p.m. F. 8-5 p.m. & Sat. 9-12 p.m.
www.phcinc.net

Primary Health Care
Engebretsen Clinic
2353 S.E. 14th St.
Des Moines, IA 50320
515-248-1400
M-F 8-5 p.m.
www.phcinc.net

Primary Health Care
Outreach Project
979 Oakridge Dr.
Des Moines, IA 50314
515-248-1500
M T Th. F 8-4 p.m. & Wed. 8-3:15 p.m.
www.phcinc.net

Southeast Polk Children's Clinic
600 1st Ave. N.
Altoona, IA 50009
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

St. Luke's Clinic
1421 W. Broadway
Polk City, IA 50226
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

Venus Family Planning
100 E. Euclid Ave. Ste. 129
Des Moines, IA 50314
515-558-9585
M & T 8-5 p.m. Wed. 8-11:30 a.m. Thurs. 9-6 p.m. & Fri. 8-5 p.m.
www.venusfamilyplanning.org

Visiting Nurse Services
1111 9th St., Ste. 320
Des Moines, IA 50314
515-288-1516
M-F 8-4:30 p.m.
www.vnsdm.org

Waukee Area Christian Free Clinic
1155 Boone Dr.
Waukee, IA 50263
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

 

Alphabetical List of Clinics in Iowa:

AMES:
Ames Free Medical Clinic
508 Kellogg
Ames, IA 50010
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

CLARINDA:
Nodaway Valley Free Clinic
823 S. 17th St.
Clarinda, IA 52732
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

CLINTON:
Gateway Free Clinic
215 6th Ave. S.
Clinton, IA 52732
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclincsofiowa.org

GRINNELL:
Grinnell Regional Community Care Clinic
306 4th Ave.
Grinnell, IA 50112
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

KNOXVILLE:
Good Samaritan Free Clinic
308 E. Robinson
Knoxville, IA 50318
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

MARSHALLTOWN:
Primary Health Care
Marshalltown Clinic
412 E. Church St.
Marshalltown, IA 50158
641-753-4021
M-F 8- 6:30 p.m.
www.phcinc.net

NEWTON:
Jasper County Free Clinic
300 N. 4th Ave. E.
Newton, IA 50208
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

OSKALOOSA:
Oskaloosa Free Clinic
410 N. 12th St.
Oskaloosa, IA 52577
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

PELLA:
Good Samaritan Free Clinic
605 Broadway
Pella, IA 50219
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

WATERLOO:
Allen Community Engagement Salvation Army Partnership
207 Logan Ave
Waterloo, IA 50703
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

EMA Free Medical Clinic
205 Adams St., Ste. 1
Waterloo, IA 50703
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

IHOPE Free Medical Clinic
610 Allen St.
Waterloo, IA 50702
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

Jubilee Community Health Clinic
610 Allen St.
Waterloo, IA 50702
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org

WEBSTER CITY:
Webster City Free Medical Clinic
1440 E. 2nd St.
Webster City, IA 50595
515-271-1642
(Please call for clinic hours)
www.freeclinicsofiowa.org