1. Why does the Women‘s Community Clinic have a Sliding Scale?

Effective January 1, 2012, the Clinic is implementing a sliding scale fee model.  This model allows us to continue to expand our services and increase the number of women and girls we serve.  The Clinic remains committed to offering affordable and accessible health care to uninsured and underinsured women in need of health care services.   We will never turn anyone away due to inability to pay.

2. What is a sliding scale fee model?

A sliding scale fee model is a system where the discounted cost of services is determined by a person’s income and household size.

3. How much will my visit cost?

The cost of your visit will depend on a few factors:

• eligibility for Family PACT* (aka “the Green Card”)
• income level and household size
• services provided

If you are eligible for Family PACT (which 90% of our current clients are), the total cost of your visit will be nothing.  All of your services will be paid for by Family PACT.

If you are not eligible for Family PACT, the cost of your visit will be determined by your income level and the number of people in your household.   Cost for our services will be provided at a discounted rate and we will work with each client to ensure that she receives the care she needs.

*Family PACT is a state-wide program that provides no-cost family planning services to low-income women and men, including teens.  To find out if you are eligible for Family PACT, please visit www.familypact.org or call us at (415) 379-7800.

4. What if I cannot afford the services I need?

We will never turn anyone away due to inability to pay. If you don’t qualify for Family PACT and cannot afford your sliding scale fee for our services, we have financial assistance available to help cover the cost of your visit.

We will work with each client to ensure that she receives the care she needs.  If you have questions about our financial assistance programs, please contact us at 415.379.7800.

5. When and how am I expected to pay for my visit?

Payment is to be made at the time services are rendered.  We accept Cash, Checks, Visa, and MasterCard.   Payment Plans are available. Please talk to us about this at the time of your visit.

6. Do you accept insurance?

No, the Women’s Community Clinic does not currently accept insurance.

7. Does the sliding scale model change who you serve?

No.  As before, we remain committed to offering accessible and affordable health care to women in need.  Our clients come from all walks of life, but many are low-income and face barriers to accessing health care.  95% of our clients are uninsured.

The Women’s Community Clinic continues to provide health care and related outreach services to women and girls age 12 and older who live in San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, or Marin County and either:

• Have no health insurance
• Have inadequate health insurance OR
• Need confidentiality from someone who shares their insurance policy

8. If you charge for services, why do you need donations?

The sliding scale fees do not cover all the costs of a health care visit.  As we’ve increased the number of women we serve and expanded our scope of services, our operating costs have also increased.  Funds that we receive from the sliding scale fee will be put toward supporting our direct services:

• Screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections
• Well-woman exams
• Outreach to homeless and marginally-housed women

Because the sliding scale fees do not cover all the costs of a health care visit, we will still rely on the generosity of our community to support our vital services and programs.