FAQ

1. What is a “free” medical clinic?

This is a medical clinic that requires no payment from patients or clients. The medical and health care staff are all volunteers except for the clinical manager, office manager and bookkeeper.

2. Who can use FernCare?

We see people between the ages of 19 through 64 years of age who are uninsured and have no other primary care provider. We have no residence restriction or income level criteria.

3. What clinic services are available now?

We provide non-emergency medical care that would typically be provided by a family care physician.  This includes the following:

  • Lab testing
  • Social work counseling
  • Community resource access assistance
  • Prescription assistance program enrollment
  • In-depth counseling sessions 
  • Generic medication dispensing

We also assist with enrolling in insurance programs like the Affordable Care Act Insurance Exchange and Healthy Michigan.  You do not have to be a clinic patient to get help with insurance enrollment. This is open to anyone.  For all other services, you must be a patient. Our services depend on volunteer count, patient need and cost.

We do NOT provide the following:

  • Obstetric or gynecological services
  • Sexually transmitted infection diagnosis
  • Mental health assistance that requires services beyond what a family or emergency care physician can provide.   

There are NO controlled substances or narcotics on site.

4. How can I volunteer?

SEE Volunteer page. Please indicate if you would like to volunteer to work in the clinic or with the Board.

5. How can I donate money?

Send your check made out to FernCare to 751 E. 9 Mile Road, Suite 2 Ferndale, MI 48220 OR use PayPal here on the website homepage. ALL of the free clinics rely on donations, fund raising and grants to stay open.  We are self-funded.

6. Can I attend a Board of Directors meeting?

Yes.  The Board of Directors meets on the third Wednesday every other month beginning in January.  Due to COVID the Board is currently meeting via Zoom.  If you would like to attend please contact the Executive Director at [email protected] for the link.

7. Is there any one place where health/medical resources are listed?

This would be an almost impossible feat. However, we have compiled a list of resources that we update regularly. You will find these on the Resources and Links pages of this site. You can also call the clinic between 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., the Office Manager will help you locate resources if at all possible.

8. I live outside of Oakland County. Are there other free clinics closer to my home?

The website www.fcomi.org has a locator page of every free medical clinic in Michigan. There may be a clinic closer than FernCare if you will outside of south Oakland county.

9. Do you provide IRS approved tax donation receipts?

Yes. we do for financial donations and donated medical equipment.

Send a message on the Contact Us page.

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