-What is Mendocino Coast Clinics, Inc.?

• Mendocino Coast Clinics, Inc. is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit federally qualified health center,
• Licensed by the State of California and
• Governed by a community Board of Directors

-Who serves on the Board of Directors?

• Mendocino Coast Clinics, Inc. is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit federally qualified health center,
• Licensed by the State of California and
• Governed by a community Board of Directors

-What is the Mission of Mendocino Coast Clinics, Inc.?

• To provide quality medical, dental, and behavioral health care counseling services to all coastal residents regardless of ability to pay. qualified health center,

-When did Mendocino Coast Clinics begin?

• On July 1, 1994, control of Mendocino Coast Clinics, Inc. was assumed by a nonprofit Board of Directors,
• In the late 70s, before it was an independent Clinic, the original Clinic was housed in the Village of Mendocino-during the season of “free love”- and provided free services, relied on a few grants and proceeds from community dances to finance the Clinic.
• The County of Mendocino assumed control of the Clinic in the 1980s when the Clinic was moved to Fort Bragg
• In the 1990s the Clinic was moved to 120 W. Fir Street
• The Clinic was operated by the Public Health Department until 1994.
• September 2, 2003 The Clinic opened its new facility at 205 South Street for patients.

-Who does the Clinic serve?

• The Clinics’ service area encompasses the area from Westport to Elk and inland to Comptche,
• The Clinic services about 20,000 people within that area,
• The Clinic will serve anyone who requests service for primary care

-Who utilizes the services of Mendocino Coast Clinics, Inc.?

• One our of every five people in the service area have received services in one of the Clinics,
• Currently there are 5,000 individual patients or one out of every four residents in our service area.
• 80% of the patients live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level

Single $749/month

Family of Four $1534/month

• Last year Mendocino Coast Clinics, Inc. provided 27,000 visits to 5,000 patients

-Is Mendocino Coast Clinics, Inc. just for poor people?

No. While the Mission is to treat those with little or no access to health care or can’t afford it, the Clinic is open to everyone.

• People choose the Clinic for their health care prevention needs,
• 20% of Clinic patients have insurance or money to pay for service,
• Many Clinic employees receive medical care at the Clinic

-What services are provided by Mendocino Coast Clinics, Inc.?

• Primary medical care
• Preventive medical care
• Preventive dental care
• Behavioral health counseling
• Family planning services
• Women’s health screenings
• Specialty services by referral

Podiatry
Neurology
Endocrinology /Dermatology via telemedicine
Eligibility screening for Medi-Cal, CMSP & Healthy Families
Acupuncture
Chiropractic

-What happens if a patient needs to be hospitalized?

Clinic patients who need to be in the hospital are admitted by Mendocino Medical Associates (MMA). The physicians in this group serve as the hospital doctor for many physicians in the community.

-What is a hospitalist?

A Hospitalist is a physician who spends their work day attending the needs of patients in the hospital. Since that physician is in the hospital, Clinic patients receive prompt care from the doctor.

-Is the Clinic the same as a “doctor’s office?”

Yes, the Clinic is just like other private practice physician offices.
-How does the Clinic get money to operate?

• The majority of the Clinic’s revenues are from payment for services
• Patients are charged for services at the Clinic
• As a “not-for-profit organization, the Clinic is eligible to participate in State programs that provide funds for special health care services.
• State grants are available for Clinics that provide services to the uninsured
• Private grants as awarded
• Fundraising activities
• Receives federal grant money to provide services to the uninsured

-How big is Mendocino Coast Clinics, Inc.?

• This year the budget is $4.3 million dollars
• $3.3 million dollars pay for Clinic staff and the associated costs of contracted health care providers
• $1,000,000 pays for supplies, medications, insurances and everything else it takes to operate the Clinic.
• Revenues from fees will bring in about $3.4 million dollars
• The balance has to be made up from grants and fundraising activities.
• There are approximately 60 people on the payroll

-What is so special about Mendocino Coast Clinics, Inc.?

Mendocino Coast Clinics, Inc. has

• Dedicated staff care for patients
• Reception Staff try to match funding programs to uninsured patients’ needs
• Staff assists patients with referral arrangements when needed
• Bilingual-bicultural staff is available for Spanish speaking patients
• Staff assists with eligibility for a variety of programs that help pay for health care services.

-What happens if a person gets sick and Clinic is closed?

The Clinic has a physician on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call the main Clinic number, 707-964-1251 and the service with answer your call.
-Will Clinic staff bill insurance plans?

• Clinic staff bills for Medicare, Medi-Cal, CMSP services as well as many insurance plans like Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
• The Clinic is able to bill some secondary insurance health plans. Patients must let the receptionist know that they have a secondary plan.
• Patients are responsible for co-pays and deductibles.

-What happens if a patient does not have insurance?

• Patients without insurance are screened to determine their eligibility for a variety of programs that pay for health care services
• A Community Health Advocate will assist with screening and application for the programs