1. What is your current status?
VIM SD is operating a modular facility with 2 exam rooms at 1465 E. Madison Ave, El Cajon, 92019. Currently we are open on Saturday mornings. Patients are seen by appointment only via 2-1-1 County Services, or through ReachOut for Healthcare at 800-327-1208.

2. Who is eligible to be seen as a patient?
VIM covers the “working uninsured”. Persons who are not eligible for Medi-Cal or employer covered health insurance, who earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level, and who live in the "East County" area of San Diego County. For a family of 4, this is a little over $38,000 in total household income. 

3. Will a VIM Center attract people from outside the community?
No. VIM builds community medical facilities. Eligibility for treatment is based on zip code. For the El Cajon clinic persons who reside in East County are eligible.

4. Won't a "free" clinic attract drug users and other unsavory characters?
VIM does not provide treatment for alcohol or substance abuse. Nationwide, VIM medical facilities are not "urgent care centers" and do not dispense narcotics, do not participate in drug rehab, do not treat toxic syndromes or emergencies, and are not
positioned as a "safety-net" program like government-sponsored clinics or local emergency rooms. In fact, VIM clinics seldom treat unemployed patients, since 85% of the 44M uninsured Americans are responsibly employed. Remember that we provide service through volunteer physicians and nurses, who want to provide care in a pleasant environment.

5. Aren't all VIM patients "poor?"
No. VIM San Diego patients are those people not covered by Medi-Cal or other medical insurance/programs, and who make an income less than 200% of the poverty level. In other words, they make too much money to be eligible for Medi-Cal, but not enough to afford private health insurance.

6. What about Medi-Cal patients?
VIM centers are not designed to replace the private practice of medicine or clinics accepting Medi-Cal insurance. VIM centers are for the uninsured, so Medi-Cal patients, or those eligible for Medi-Cal, are repatriated to the appropriate program. All patients are screened for eligibility before being scheduled for an appointment.

7. I would like to volunteer as a physician, but what if I get sued?
The Federal Health Care Tort Claims Act signed into law in 2004 by President Bush provides for physicians providing services free of charge to be considered employees of the federal government if sued for malpractice. VIM will register you with the government and you will be presented with a copy of your status prior to treating any patients.

8. I am a medical professional and would like to volunteer, but have not practiced for a while and might be a bit rusty...
The Medical Director of VIM San Diego is responsible for overseeing the Mentorship Program, whereby actively-practicing volunteers work beside a retired medical professional and oversee your care until you are unconditionally approved by the Medical Advisory Committee. The Medical Director is also responsible for developing an ongoing continuing medical education program for physicians volunteering at the clinic to ensure the highest quality of care possible.

9. I am not a medical professional. Are there volunteer opportunities for me?
Absolutely. Call 619-440-4591 to leave a message, or fill out the form on our Contact Info page and we will contact you.  We need the help of caring people to help our neighbors in need of medical care in the roles of greeters, contact people and clerical workers.

10. What types of procedures or level of care can I expect in a VIM Center?
The Medical Advisory Committee determines which procedures are safe and appropriate. In addition to routine care/procedures that you would normally expect to receive from your primary care physician, we offer some specialty care as well. Currently, VIM-San Diego offers specialty care, on a limited basis, in anesthesiology, x-ray, and dentistry. Incorporation of specialty care is a building block process, and it will be necessary to call for information to get the latest status.

11. I am in private practice down the street. Won't you be stealing patients from me?
Assuming you do not require insurance or proof of payment up front, we will be glad to send as many uninsured patients to your office as you can handle!

12. Has the Medical Society approved this?
The only approval required to begin fundraising and construction of a VIM facility is by the community citizens where it will be located. All federal and state regulations must be followed in the operation of any medical facility, free or not. However, the Medical Society has strongly endorsed the development of VIM in San Diego.

13. Don't we have enough free clinics funded by the government in San Diego?
There are no independent free clinics to our knowledge in San Diego. Government clinics primarily serve Medicare/Medi-Cal patients, generally require a sliding scale payment for persons who are not covered by Medicare/Medi-Cal, and provided only 15% of the need according to an independent survey (see the Feasibility Study)

14. Will you apply for, or accept government funding for ongoing operations?
No.

15. What is the "Culture of Caring?"
A VIM medical facility is more than a place of healthcare treatment, education and training. Patients are greeted and welcomed into the center. We see the uninsured as our friends in the community, for whom we care and wish to share the talents and assets given to those more fortunate. Then the VIM doctors and patients are afforded the luxury of an unrushed 30 minute appointment, as opposed to the 3-8 minute average that an HMO doctor in private practice is forced into.

16. Who runs and is responsible for VIM San Diego?
The VIM San Diego Board of Directors is responsible for the overall direction and management of the organization. The Executive Director runs day to day operations and reports to the Board. The Board of Directors consists of community leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to seeing the VIM concept take root in the San Diego community.

17. Where does the money come from?
From the local community. Dr. Jack McConnell, the Founder of the VIM concept, strongly recommends that half of the annual operating budget be raised each year. The history of fundraising for the 50 nationwide VIM clinics in operation has been nothing short of spectacular. Each VIM clinic is a separate non-profit in its own right however, and VIM SD has not paid for a fund-raising service. Donations are needed to pay for core support (supplies, rent, utilities) in order to expand operating hours, as well as to begin construction on our permanent facility. Contributions are most welcome and can be sent to Volunteers in Medicine – San Diego, 1457 E. Madison Ave, El Cajon, CA 92019. All donations are tax deductible.

18. What are VIM San Diego’s future plans?
VIM SD currently has a two room modular medical facility in El Cajon, on the site of a planned state-of-the-art 10 room facility. The plans for this facility, which have already earned a “green” designation from SDGE, have been designed by an architectural firm that specializes in medical facilities. The facility will be located on land leased at $1 per year from Chapel of the Valley Methodist Church. These are the near term objectives. As soon as we break ground on the permanent facility, VIM SD will begin accepting inputs from other communities in San Diego which show interest and support in building a VIM facility.