Getting Care

Who is eligible to be seen as a patient?

VIM covers the uninsured and underinsured. Residents of San Diego County without access to medical care who earn less than 250% of the FPL (Federal Poverty Level) are eligible for medical care in our free clinic. You can find more information here.

What types of care can I expect in your clinic?

We have 10 medical providers, 4 of whom are primary care providers.  We offer acupuncture, chiropractic, nutritional counseling, nephrology, and dermatology

What about Medi-Cal patients?

Medi-CAL is state sponsored healthcare coverage for a segment of the population.  We do not accept Medi-CAL patients but refer them to community clinics in our area. Medi-CAL is under Covered California—the entity that governs the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Who runs and is responsible for VIM San Diego?

The VIM Board of Trustees is ultimately responsible for the organization. Nora Sarte, our Executive Director, manages the overall operations and reports to the Board.

How do you support the free program?

We are supported with a variety of grant funding, private donations and fundraising efforts. Grossmont Healthcare District realizes the tremendous need for free medical services in our community and has generously supported our efforts to treat the uninsured.

What is the procedure to volunteer?

Please complete our volunteer application online.  We will contact you to conduct an interview and move forward with a background check. Then we set up an orientation, shadow shifts prior to being  assigned a position.

I would like to volunteer as a physician, but what if I get sued?

The Federal Health Care Tort Claims Act (FTCA) signed into law in 2004 protects volunteer physicians providing services free of charge by considering them employees of the federal government if sued for malpractice. VIM will complete your paperwork with the federal government to provide malpractice coverage for you.

Can I volunteer if I am not a medical professional?

Absolutely! We have lots of support and administrative positions in the clinic that do not require medical experience.

If I donate to VIM is it tax deductible?

Yes. We are a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, and our IRS tax exempt status number is 26-0057391.  Any financial or in-kind contribution is tax deductible and we will gladly provide an acknowledgement of your donation.

What is the “Culture of Caring?”

Our VIM free medical clinic is more than a place of healthcare treatment, education, and training. Patients are greeted and welcomed into the clinic. Our volunteers see the uninsured patients as our friends in the community, for whom we have the privilege of helping with their medical needs.