Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic?
The Volunteer Healthcare Clinic (VHC) provides basic, non-emergency medical care and prevention education for low-income and uninsured residents of Travis County. We are an independent 501(c) 3 non-profit funded by individuals, businesses, foundation grants, and the Travis County Health District.
What services are provided at the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic?
VHC provides Acute/Primary Care Clinics for adults and children seeking medical attention twice a week and a Chronic Disease Management Clinic for enrolled patients with diabetes and other endocrine disorders once a week. The Clinic offers social service referrals, limited mental health services, some specialty care, and healthy lifestyle counseling as well. The Clinic has an on-site laboratory and pharmacy and provides lab testing and medications.
A special Dermatology Clinic is conducted by appointment on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
When is the Clinic open?
The Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 9am - 5pm for administrative work.
Medical care is available by appointment during the following times:
Daytime Medical Care: Monday - Thursday: 10am - 2pm
Evening Clinics: Tuesday & Thursday Nights: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (or until last patient is seen)
Who does the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic serve?
VHC serves children & adults in Travis County who have no health insurance or any other type of healthcare coverage (e.g. no MAP, CHIP/Medicaid, Medicare, etc.) and who are living at or below 200% of the U.S. Federal Poverty Level.
How do people become patients at the Clinic? Are you accepting new patients now?
VHC is always accepting new patients, although you must register in advance. Patient registration is available Monday through Friday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. You will need to know your monthly income and bring your photo ID and proof of Travis County residency. The VHC office staff will be happy to assist you further once you arrive.
Do patients pay for services?
There are no set fees to be seen at VHC; we do ask for a $10.00 donation for any type of visit if you can contribute to your care. We believe these voluntary donations add dignity, increase engagement with care, and help the Clinic offset some of the operating costs. However, no one will ever be turned away because of an inability to pay.
Can I eat in the Clinic?
Patients may not eat inside the Clinic, although you are welcome to eat outside. In order to keep the Clinic nice for everyone, we ask that you use the trash bins outside to dispose of any trash. Water is provided for all of our clients and volunteers.
Can I be seen without a Photo ID?
No, you will need a Photo ID to be seen, so we know who we are treating. We will accept driver's licenses, Texas ID cards, passports, consulate cards, library cards, Costco/Sam's cards, etc. - it just needs to be something official with your name and picture on it.
Please note that you will need to present a photo ID every time you come to the Clinic, even if you have been here previously, and a copy of a photo ID is not accepted.
What if I live in Travis County but cannot prove my address?
If your ID does not yet have a Travis County address, you can provide a letter from the person with whom you live indicating you live with them at the address, along with a bill or rent agreement in that person’s name, listing the Travis County address.
How long will it take to be seen at the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic?
Receiving services at our Clinic requires an investment of your time, and depending upon how busy we are, it may take two to three hours to be seen. The good news is that we are essentially a one-stop shop. After registration, you will be seen by a nurse and a doctor, and you will be able to get any lab testing done and have your medications filled and dispensed during this one visit.
We understand that this may not work for everyone, so we are happy to provide information about other clinics that may have hours that better suit your schedule. If you choose to come to VHC, we will expect your patience and understanding while we see everyone who needs our care.
Can I smoke at the Clinic?
No. As a healthcare facility, the Clinic is a designated Tobacco-Free property. There are signs posted to this effect, including our parking lot and any surrounding Clinic property. Please note that this includes not smoking in your car if it is parked in our parking lot.
Does the Clinic close for holidays?
Yes, the Clinic is closed for most federal holidays and certain weeks including:
The week-long closures are necessary because VHC operates with a volunteer-driven model, and it is difficult to get volunteers to come in and work during these specific times.
The Volunteer Healthcare Clinic (VHC) provides basic, non-emergency medical care and prevention education for low-income and uninsured residents of Travis County. We are an independent 501(c) 3 non-profit funded by individuals, businesses, foundation grants, and the Travis County Health District.
What services are provided at the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic?
VHC provides Acute/Primary Care Clinics for adults and children seeking medical attention twice a week and a Chronic Disease Management Clinic for enrolled patients with diabetes and other endocrine disorders once a week. The Clinic offers social service referrals, limited mental health services, some specialty care, and healthy lifestyle counseling as well. The Clinic has an on-site laboratory and pharmacy and provides lab testing and medications.
A special Dermatology Clinic is conducted by appointment on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
When is the Clinic open?
The Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 9am - 5pm for administrative work.
Medical care is available by appointment during the following times:
Daytime Medical Care: Monday - Thursday: 10am - 2pm
Evening Clinics: Tuesday & Thursday Nights: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (or until last patient is seen)
Who does the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic serve?
VHC serves children & adults in Travis County who have no health insurance or any other type of healthcare coverage (e.g. no MAP, CHIP/Medicaid, Medicare, etc.) and who are living at or below 200% of the U.S. Federal Poverty Level.
How do people become patients at the Clinic? Are you accepting new patients now?
VHC is always accepting new patients, although you must register in advance. Patient registration is available Monday through Friday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. You will need to know your monthly income and bring your photo ID and proof of Travis County residency. The VHC office staff will be happy to assist you further once you arrive.
Do patients pay for services?
There are no set fees to be seen at VHC; we do ask for a $10.00 donation for any type of visit if you can contribute to your care. We believe these voluntary donations add dignity, increase engagement with care, and help the Clinic offset some of the operating costs. However, no one will ever be turned away because of an inability to pay.
Can I eat in the Clinic?
Patients may not eat inside the Clinic, although you are welcome to eat outside. In order to keep the Clinic nice for everyone, we ask that you use the trash bins outside to dispose of any trash. Water is provided for all of our clients and volunteers.
Can I be seen without a Photo ID?
No, you will need a Photo ID to be seen, so we know who we are treating. We will accept driver's licenses, Texas ID cards, passports, consulate cards, library cards, Costco/Sam's cards, etc. - it just needs to be something official with your name and picture on it.
Please note that you will need to present a photo ID every time you come to the Clinic, even if you have been here previously, and a copy of a photo ID is not accepted.
What if I live in Travis County but cannot prove my address?
If your ID does not yet have a Travis County address, you can provide a letter from the person with whom you live indicating you live with them at the address, along with a bill or rent agreement in that person’s name, listing the Travis County address.
How long will it take to be seen at the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic?
Receiving services at our Clinic requires an investment of your time, and depending upon how busy we are, it may take two to three hours to be seen. The good news is that we are essentially a one-stop shop. After registration, you will be seen by a nurse and a doctor, and you will be able to get any lab testing done and have your medications filled and dispensed during this one visit.
We understand that this may not work for everyone, so we are happy to provide information about other clinics that may have hours that better suit your schedule. If you choose to come to VHC, we will expect your patience and understanding while we see everyone who needs our care.
Can I smoke at the Clinic?
No. As a healthcare facility, the Clinic is a designated Tobacco-Free property. There are signs posted to this effect, including our parking lot and any surrounding Clinic property. Please note that this includes not smoking in your car if it is parked in our parking lot.
Does the Clinic close for holidays?
Yes, the Clinic is closed for most federal holidays and certain weeks including:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- President's Day
- The Week of AISD Spring Break
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- The Week of the 4th of July
- Labor Day
- Indigenous People's Day
- Veteran's Day
- Thanksgiving & the Friday following Thanksgiving
- Two weeks over Christmas & New Year's*
The week-long closures are necessary because VHC operates with a volunteer-driven model, and it is difficult to get volunteers to come in and work during these specific times.
