Student-Run Free Clinic Generates Novel Care Value Estimator.

Abstract

Background: Student-Run Free Clinics (SRFCs) are a critical supplement to traditional healthcare services, specifically for un- or underinsured patients (1). These clinics mainly serve underserved communities and offer free primary care, preventive screenings, lab tests, and vaccinations (1,2). By involving medical students in direct patient care within underserved communities, SRFCs help students gain a deeper understanding of social determinants of health. Although ample research discusses the educational benefits and patient opinions of SRFCs, more is needed to know about their financial impact (2,3). In Indiana, Medicaid plays a role in providing healthcare coverage to low-income individuals and families. However, despite expansion efforts, many families are still financially burdened by medical expenses (4,5). In our SRFC's primary county, 9.0% of residents under 65 are without health insurance, and 18.5% live below the poverty line (6). SRFCs serve as an essential public safety net for uninsured and underinsured families who often fall into this category. Few studies investigate the care value SRFCs provide to the community they serve (2,3). Quantifying the care value will yield significant insights into our clinic's influence on the community, helping to guide future grant applications. This study aims to quantify the value of care provided to the community by a student-run outreach clinic in a medically underserved city in Indiana using self-generated calculators and Medicaid reimbursement values. Methods: Data containing the number of new and established patients seen were collected at the end of each clinic date between January 1, 2023 and April 13, 2024. To estimate the value provided to the community, specific Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and their Medicaid reimbursement rates were used to determine a “low value” and a “high value.” These values were calculated using different CPT codes depending on the specifications of the appointments seen in the clinic. Value = (number of new patients * CPT Medicaid reimbursement) + (number of established patients * CPT Medicaid reimbursement). The low and high values were averaged together to determine the total value provided for each clinic date. Results: From January 2023 to April 2024, this novel care-value estimator revealed that the clinic provided an average of $779.06 of value to the community during primary care clinic days. In addition, the clinic provided an average of $2,070.56 of value to the community during primary care clinic days that offer specialized services. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that Student Run Free-Clinics (SRFCs) provide a positive value to the community through both financial impact and clinical interventions.