A cooperative effort to provide low-cost health care for area residents age 18 years and older who have no health insurance and whose financial status prevents them from seeking medical treatment.
Enhancing Health Care Access in Monroe County
Where:
Mayo Clinic Health System
310 West Main Street
Sparta, Wisconsin 54656
Phone: 608-366-5343 (please leave a voice message)
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​When:
First and third Tuesday evenings of each month
Registration: 5:00-6:30 p.m.
No appointment needed; patients are seen on a first come, first served basis
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​Who:
Adults 18 years of age and older with no public or private medical insurance. Financial eligibility is reviewed at registration and is based on income and family size.
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​What:
- Basic health care treatment for acute and chronic medical problems
- In-house pharmacy for prescribed medications (no narcotics are prescribed)
- Referrals to Mayo Clinic Health System or Gundersen Health System specialists if recommended by
volunteer providers
- No services available for mental health counseling, dental care, or vision care
Additional Resources:
- Find Help - a free, nationwide network where people can search and connect to social care programs in every community.
- COVID testing and immunization in Monroe County or call the Monroe County Health Department at 608-269-8666.
- Call Great Rivers 2-1-1. Free, confidential community information, referrals and crisis line 24 hours/day. Dial 2-1-1 or (800) 362-8255 to talk to an information and referral specialist.
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ABOUT THE ST. CLARE HEALTH MISSION
The St. Clare Health Mission of Monroe County opened in 1996 with the support of Mayo Clinic Health System- Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse, Sparta, and Tomah; Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, Sparta, and Tomah; Scenic Bluffs Community Health Center in Cashton and Norwalk; and the Monroe County Department of Health and Human Services.
The St. Clare Health Mission is staffed entirely by volunteers: physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, certified medical assistants, pharmacists, social workers, and clerical personnel. Spanish speaking interpreters are available when the Health Mission is open. Monroe County churches and service organizations provide lunches for the volunteers, many of whom arrive after working at their regular jobs.
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The St. Clare Health Mission of Monroe County is located in the Specialty Services area of Mayo Clinic Health System in Sparta at 310 West Main Street, (parking lot entrance off "L" Street). The phone number is 608-366-5343.
Services provided by the St. Clare Health Mission are limited to adults 18 years of age and older with no public or private insurance. Financial eligibility is reviewed at registration.
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Prescriptions written by St. Clare Health Mission providers are filled at the Health Mission pharmacy. Specialized care referrals to Mayo Clinic Health System - Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse and to Gundersen Health System in
La Crosse are provided when indicated based on recommendations by Health Mission providers. The St. Clare Health Mission is not intended to duplicate existing programs. Those who have access to alternative services should continue to use those services. The St. Clare Health Mission will work with individuals to identify appropriate health care services.
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VOLUNTEER AND DONATION OPPORTUNITIES
Every gift given to the St. Clare Health Mission of Monroe County is vital support for uninsured, low-income employed and unemployed adults. Through generous sharing of time, talents, and financial support, the St. Clare Health Mission of Monroe County provides life-saving care for adults 18 years of age and older who have no health insurance and whose financial status prevents them from otherwise seeking medical treatment.
The twice-monthly clinics are staffed by volunteer physicians, physician assistants, nurses, interpreters, pharmacists, and office assistants. Area churches and civic groups provide a light lunch on clinic evenings for the volunteers who arrive after work. Tax deductible contributions to the St. Clare Health Mission of Monroe County go directly to provide health care in our community.
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St. Clare Health Mission of Monroe County personnel and volunteers are available to meet with you or your organization to discuss opportunities to volunteer or support the work of the Health Mission. For more information about volunteer or gift-giving opportunities, please call 608-366-5343 and leave a message.
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St. Clare Health Mission of Monroe County, Inc. is solely dependent on donations by charitable organizations, civic and faith organizations, businesses, and individuals. We are extremely grateful for the generous in-kind and charity care support received from Mayo Clinic Health System and Gundersen Health System, as well as the many individuals, civic groups, churches, and organizations that join with us in enhancing health care access through their financial contributions.
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Thanks to grants in 2021 and 2022 from :
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Frank G. Andres Charitable Trust
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Thomas B. Earle Charitable Foundation Trust
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Gundersen Health System - Community Contributions
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Walmart Community Grant - Sparta
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Walmart Community Grant - Tomah
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Century Foods Sparta-- Hormel Foundation
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Otto Bremer Trust
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Mayo Clinic Health System Community Investment
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Please consider joining these Monroe County donors and volunteers to “enhance health care access in Monroe County.”
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The St. Clare Health Mission of Monroe County is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Gifts are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
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Donations made payable to "St. Clare Health Mission of Monroe County" may be sent to:
St. Clare Health Mission of Monroe County
310 West Main Street
Sparta, WI 54656
PayPal Donations
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR CARE AT ST. CLARE HEALTH MISSION OF MONROE COUNTY?
Adults 18 years of age and older who have no health insurance of any kind and are not eligible for any public or private health insurance program may be eligible to receive care. Financial eligibility (at or below 200% of the federal poverty level) based on income and family size is reviewed at registration.
WHAT INCOME DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED?
Proof of income (e.g., two months of pay stubs, W-2 form, recent tax filing) and financial need should be presented at registration for each visit to determine eligibility. If there is no employment income or taxes are not filed, provide other forms of documentation such as Social Security income, unemployment, filing for disability or medical assistance, or proof of denial. Various types of income documentation are also required by pharmaceutical companies.
WHAT DAY AND TIME IS THE HEALTH MISSION OPEN? DO I NEED AN APPOINTMENT?
The Health Mission is open on the first and third Tuesday evenings of each month in the Specialty Services area at Mayo Clinic Health System, 310 West Main Street in Sparta. Registration begins at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 6:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Patients are seen on a first come, first served basis.
WHAT HEALTH CARE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED?
Patients can receive basic health care for acute and chronic medical problems. Referrals to Mayo Clinic Health System or Gundersen Health System specialists for limited medical treatment can be arranged per the medical director if recommended by a volunteer provider. Patients also receive information on alternative health care providers or sources of financial assistance for care not provided at the St. Clare Health Mission.
HOW DO I RECEIVE ASSISTANCE WITH MEDICATIONS?
Prescriptions for medications prescribed by St. Clare Health Mission providers are filled for free at our onsite pharmacy. St. Clare Health Mission prescriptions cannot be filled at an outside pharmacy, and prescriptions written by providers outside the Health Mission cannot be filled by the Health Mission. Patients are assisted in completing applications to obtain free medicine from pharmaceutical companies. The St. Clare Health Mission is a narcotic-free zone, and does not prescribe or fill any narcotic or controlled substance prescriptions.
HOW DO YOU COMMUNICATE WITH SPANISH SPEAKING PATIENTS?
Spanish language interpreters are available any time the Health Mission is open.
DOES THE ST. CLARE HEALTH MISSION PROVIDE DENTAL, VISION, OR MENTAL HEALTH CARE?
Mental health counseling, routine and emergency dental care, and vision care are not provided by the St. Clare Health Mission.
WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE ST. CLARE HEALTH MISSION OF MONROE COUNTY?
The name "Clare" comes from the Latin word for bright. In the 16th century, an Italian woman named Clare of Assisi established a contemplative religious order, which came to be known as "The Poor Clares." St. Clare, who did much of her teaching from a window in the convent wall, was sought out by the sick because of her powers of healing. Like the "Poor Clares" who were dependent upon alms, the St. Clare Health Mission of Monroe County is dependent upon the generosity of volunteers and donors.
CONTACT INFORMATION
St. Clare Health Mission of Monroe County
310 West Main Street
Sparta, Wisconsin 54656
U.S.A.
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Phone: 608-366-5343