Frequently Asked Questions
Select a question below to reveal the answer.
What are the clinic hours?
Where are you located?
See Location & Hours
What can I expect during my first visit?
Because the Clinic makes every effort to provide thorough and high quality care to all patients, your first visit at the Clinic will take about two hours for most services. It will include the following steps:
- To determine your eligibility for Clinic services, your financial status will be reviewed by a Patient Advocate. The Patient Advocate will discuss the proof of income you have with you or the proof you will need to bring in. Any other questions you have can be addressed at this time.
- After meeting with the Patient Advocate, you will meet with a registered nurse. The nurse will do an initial check (e.g., reason for your visit, blood pressure, etc.)
- You will then meet with a doctor or a nurse practitioner who will do a more complete check and make decisions with you about your health problem.
- You may be referred to other medical specialties (e.g., Eau Claire City-County Health Department for family planning and STD testing/treatment) or to resources in the community (e.g., food pantries, housing options, job opportunities). A case manager or nurse will discuss these referrals with you.
Spanish language interpreters are available.
You will be treated with respect. You are expected to respect all Clinic staff and volunteers. Verbal abuse or combative behavior will not be tolerated and will result in immediate dismissal from the Clinic.
How can I prepare for my first visit?
If you are coming to the Clinic for the first time, there are two important ways to prepare:
- Bring your proof of income. This proof is a tax return, paycheck stub, Social Security statement, or unemployment statement. Your eligibility will be determined based on this information. See Eligibility
- Bring a list of your medications.
Can anyone receive services at the Clinic?
The Clinic provides services only to those who meet income requirements and have no reasonable access to health care. For more information, see Eligibility.
Are there any costs for me as the patient?
How do I arrange for follow-up visits once I am a registered patient at the Clinic?
To schedule an appointment, call (715-839-8477) or stop in during Clinic hours. The Clinic is open to take your appointment phone call Monday – Thursday, 8:30 am to 12:00 noon.
Remember: If you cannot keep your appointment, you must call at least 4 hours before your appointment time to cancel or reschedule it. You will be dismissed from the Clinic if you have two appointment no-shows (that is, you missed your appointment and you did not call at least 4 hours beforehand).
Bring a list of your medications to every Clinic visit.
How do I make an appointment?
- Patients who have been previously registered at the Clinic can call (715-839-8477) or stop in during Clinic hours to schedule an appointment. The Clinic is open to take your appointment phone call Monday – Thursday, 8:30 am to 12:00 noon.
- Patients who have NOT been previously registered at the Clinic are taken on a walk-in basis every Tuesday evening from 4-6 pm and on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays from 9-10 am. New patients will not be able to make appointments until they are registered patients. We encourage new patients to arrive at the beginning of registration as the clinic can fill up quickly.
What about my medications? How do I get my prescriptions filled? Can I come in just to pick up medications?
If you are visiting the Clinic for the first time, your medications will be provided only after you have been seen by a doctor or nurse practitioner (NP). Even if you were just seen by a doctor or nurse practitioner at a different agency, you must be re-checked by someone at the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic. Meeting with the Clinic doctor or NP and receiving your medications will both occur at your first visit.
If you are a patient already established at the Clinic, you can have your medications re-filled at either the Tuesday Medical Clinic or at all Thursday clinics. To help decrease your waiting time, please call the Clinic at least one day before picking up your meds (715-839-8477). For example, we strongly recommend that you call no later than Monday at noon for picking up your meds at the Tuesday afternoon clinic. Calling this far in advance will help our staff have your medications ready for you.
The Clinic stocks the most commonly used medications. It DOES NOT stock narcotics, stimulants, or birth control drugs.
Do you have immunizations?
Do you provide TB tests for Tuberculosis?
No. Patients requiring a TB test should contact the City-County Health Department at 715-839-4718.
Do you test for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)?
Do you provide pregnancy tests?
If you send me to the Emergency Room (ER), is it still free?
If you refer me to another organization, is it still free?
How do I receive dental services?
Once a patient is established at the medical Clinic, they can be scheduled for dental services. All services are by appointment only.
Do you offer mental health services?
Yes! For those who are already established as Clinic patients, mental health services are available by appointment.
Do you offer vision services?
Yes; once a patient has been established at the medical clinic, they may be seen at the vision clinic. Appointments required.
How can I give back to the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic?
Thank you for thinking about this! Donations of any amount are welcome and can be made online or sent to the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic, 1030 Oak Ridge Drive, Eau Claire, WI, 54701. Please see the Donations page for more details. Please also consider contributing as a volunteer at the Clinic—see For Volunteers.