What If Your Income Were 200% of the Federal Poverty Level?

The Clearwater Free Clinic’s services and mission create access to quality healthcare services for hardworking residents of our communities who earn low incomes and cannot afford private health insurance. Uninsured families who meet the financial guidelines to receive care at the CFC have incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. For an individual, this amount in 2021 is $25,760 per year or $2,147 per month. For a family of four: $53,000 per year, or $4,417 per month.

The State of Florida’s Sovereign Immunity Program dictates the financial guidelines that the CFC must abide by. This legislation allows volunteer physicians to donate their time without the need to obtain separate malpractice insurance. Essentially, the physician is donating their time to serve low-income patients and in turn, the state of Florida provides malpractice protection.

Now, what might it be like trying to make ends meet at this level of income today? Well, it’s a bit scary! The costs of other basic needs, like housing, food, and transportation, can make monthly health insurance premiums completely unaffordable; and these expenses are rapidly on the rise.  To make matters worse, earning this amount per month often disqualifies families from accessing government-funded assistance programs that could ease the financial burden. With a budget already stretched so thin, it’s hard to imagine what a family would do if a serious medical condition requiring testing, medications, and regular follow-up were to arise.

Since 1977, the Clearwater Free Clinic has served as an integral part of the community’s healthcare system to fulfill the needs of our neighbors who have no other options for accessible, affordable care. By healing and caring for this vulnerable population, the Clinic and those who support its mission are helping to keep the community moving! Through truly comprehensive care at a medical home, the Clinic staff, community partners, and volunteers work to keep families healthy and out of the emergency room.