Volunteers in Medicine

The Volunteers in Medicine Institute (VIMI) was created in response to requests for assistance in replicating the VIM Clinic model in communities across the country. Their mission is to promote and guide the development of a national network of free clinics emphasizing the use of retired medical and lay volunteers to care for the "working uninsured" within a culture of caring so that everyone in a community has access to health care.

Situation

Over 45 million people in the US cannot afford to buy health insurance or are employed by companies that cannot afford to offer it. These hardworking individuals live in every city, town, and community across the country. They go without routine medical treatment and preventative care, resulting in more serious and costly health conditions for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Solution

The Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) program solves the problem of the uninsured one community at a time by matching the uninsured with retired physicians, who are eager and able to volunteer their services in a locally supported free clinic. The process begins when a community recognizes a need and identifies local leadership to direct the effort. With proven expertise, VIM provides specific on-site guidance and substantial resources throughout the clinic development process.

A VIM clinic provides the working uninsured with a reliable, professional, and caring medical home. These individuals are no longer forced to rely on over crowded emergency rooms as their only source for health care. VIM patients have a place to go for routine preventative care and therapeutic services, and are thus able to live more productive and happier lives. Retired volunteers, who provide the care, benefit from sharing their talent and skills in a caring environment without having to worry about the business of medicine. As a result, the VIM model, a locally owned and supported effort, builds healthier communities.

Better Health & Lower Costs

2004 VIM Data from 38 in-network clinics:

• Over 101,000 uninsured individuals received health care services in 38 VIM clinics
  
• 207,000 patient visits were provided (the average number of visits per patient was 2.0)
  
• The average cost per patient was $125.
• The average cost per patient visit was $61.
  
• Over 6,000 individuals (over 3,000 of whom were medical personnel) volunteered their time, energy and expertise to care for the uninsured in VIM clinics.