Security Health Plan of Wisconsin : invests in Rice Lake Area Free Clinic, closes coverage cracks

It started with several providers in Rice Lake, Washburn and Rusk counties who noticed a significant number of their patients did not have the health coverage their healthcare needs required. What began as personal observation grew to fill the three exam rooms of what has now been known as the Rice Lake Area Free Clinic since 2010.

The Rice Lake Area Free Clinic (RLAFC) connects uninsured or underinsured individuals with health, insurance and pharmacy benefits for which they qualify, and provides free healthcare to those who fall between the coverage cracks.

Security Health Plan is investing $1,000 through its monthly Employee-Driven Corporate Giving Program in the RLAFC's efforts to close coverage cracks. Security shares with the RLAFC its mission to create healthier communities. Security Health Plan's donation will go towards the cost of Clinic maintenance, including needed medications.

Dr. Lisa Mink, a Marshfield Clinic Rice Lake Center Family Medicine physician, volunteer and board member at the RLAFC, explained the need: The RLAFC served an average of nine patients each Tuesday night it was open in 2016 and helped a number of other patients with medication refills through its pharmaceutical dispensary.

'Patients' needs can sometimes seem overwhelming, because they are so multifaceted - medical, socioeconomic, educational - which is why we need a full team of volunteers with different talents,' said Dr. Mink.

The clinic has a part-time paid director, but otherwise runs on volunteer help and financial donations. The RLAFC relies on donations to purchase medications, its pharmaceutical refrigerator, exam room supplies and the Clinic's computer system. The RLAFC is always in need of more staff, including providers, medical assistants, registered nurses, office personnel, intake workers with social work backgrounds and pharmacists.

'I stay involved because there's a need. People's lives go better when they are healthy, but there are people who really need health care and aren't able to get it the way most of us do. My hope for the future is that someday the RLAFC won't be needed,' said Dr. Mink.

Until then, the RLAFC could use your help. View a full list of needed volunteers at http://rlafc.org/volunteers, make a donation, or participate in the Clinic's upcoming fundraiser: a concert by the Red Cedar Chorus and the Communiversity Band to be held at the Rice Lake High School on Sunday, February 26, 2017.

Every month, Security Health Plan invests $1,000 as part of its Employee-Driven Corporate Giving campaign. Marshfield Clinic Health System employees are encouraged to nominate an organization that it is making a positive difference in the community.