Latest Updates

News and practical guidance from the Missouri Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. Updated February 25, 2026.

How Telemedicine Is Expanding Free Healthcare Access Across Missouri

Posted on

Telemedicine is helping free and charitable clinics reach patients who face transportation barriers, mobility limitations, or long travel times. A virtual visit can be a first step: reviewing symptoms, discussing medical history, checking medication safety, and deciding whether an in‑person exam or local clinic referral is needed.

In Missouri, telehealth is especially helpful for follow‑ups—such as blood pressure check‑ins, diabetes education, asthma action planning, and mental health screening—because it reduces missed appointments and supports continuity of care.

Important: Telemedicine is not for emergencies. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing, severe bleeding, or stroke symptoms, call 911.

Preventive Care for Uninsured Patients: Small Steps, Big Impact

Posted on

Preventive care lowers the risk of serious complications and helps patients stay healthy longer. Even without insurance, many preventive actions are possible: lifestyle counseling, blood pressure screening, diabetes risk review, vaccination guidance, and referrals to partner clinics for testing when needed.

Telemedicine can be used to create a personalized prevention plan, identify red‑flag symptoms early, and connect patients to community resources for nutrition, smoking cessation, and stress management.

Volunteer Physicians: The People Behind Missouri’s Free Clinics

Posted on

Volunteer clinicians make free and charitable care possible. Their donated time supports primary care, chronic disease education, medication review, and referral coordination. Telemedicine also allows physicians to volunteer remotely, making it easier to expand access across the state.

If you are a clinician and would like to volunteer, please contact the Association to learn about opportunities and onboarding.

Medication Safety 101: What to Ask During a Telehealth Visit

Posted on

Medication questions are one of the most common reasons patients request a telehealth consultation. A good visit includes reviewing your full medication list (including supplements), checking for interactions, discussing side effects to watch for, and confirming how and when to take each dose.

Bring your pharmacy label information and be ready to share allergies, pregnancy status (if applicable), and any kidney or liver conditions that may change dosing decisions.

Missouri’s Free and Charitable Clinics fulfill an important need in the healthcare safety net providing an average of 50,000 patient visits for 13, 500 people annually.

Read More