Shepherd’s Clinic provides free primary care to eligible patients without health insurance. Please follow these rules to remain eligible and avoid unexpected medical bills.

Eligibility & Rescreening

You must complete eligibility screening every year and whenever your living situation changes. You may be asked for ID, proof of address, and proof of income.

If you move, tell us right away. If you move outside our approved ZIP codes, you are no longer eligible and Shepherd’s Clinic will no longer cover your referrals.

Medicaid / Medical Assistance

Eligible new patients must apply for Medicaid/Medical Assistance before their first appointment at Shepherd’s Clinic. Need help applying? Call the front desk.

Health Insurance

Shepherd’s Clinic is only for patients without health insurance. Tell us immediately if you get insurance. You are responsible for outside medical bills received after your insurance becomes active.

Primary Care

Shepherd’s Clinic must be your only primary care office. If you choose another primary care provider, please tell us so we can transfer your medical records.

Appointments & No-Shows

Call at least 24 hours before your appointment if you need to cancel or reschedule.

3 no-shows in one year = 6-month suspension. A missed specialist/referral appointment counts as 2 no-shows. Missing your first appointment may also result in a 6-month suspension.

IMPORTANT: During a suspension, Shepherd’s Clinic will not schedule appointments or provide medication refills.

• Missing your appointment without notice
• Cancelling less than 24 hours before
• Arriving more than 15 minutes late

Cancellations

You may cancel or reschedule 4 times within 6 months. A 5th cancellation or rescheduling = 6-month suspension.

During a suspension, Shepherd’s Clinic will not schedule appointments or provide medication refills.

Specialist Referrals

Your referral covers only the appointment or procedure that Shepherd’s Clinic approved.

If a specialist orders additional labs, imaging, pathology, procedures, or follow-up visits, call Shepherd’s Clinic BEFORE receiving them. Otherwise, you may receive a bill.

Confirm Your Referral

Call and verbally confirm your specialist/referral appointment with Shepherd’s Clinic at least 1 week before the appointment. If you do not confirm, your appointment may be cancelled.

Emergency Room Visits

Shepherd’s Clinic only considers coverage for ER visits at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital or MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital that are approved by our medical staff.

Call (410) 467-7140 before going when possible. If the clinic is closed or no one answers, ALWAYS leave a voicemail — including after hours and on weekends.

If you do not contact Shepherd’s Clinic, you may be responsible for the ER bill.

Medication Refills

Refills can take up to 72 hours. Call when you have 10–14 days of medication left. Same-day and weekend refills are not available.

If you are completely out of medication, tell us when you call.

Volunteer Providers

Our healthcare providers volunteer their time. Occasionally, we may need to change or cancel an appointment on the same day. We will work with you to reschedule.

Holidays & Clinic Closures

The clinic closes for major holidays and scheduled closures. Check your medications before a closure and request refills early.

If you need urgent care while we are closed, you may go to urgent care or the ER. Our ER policy still applies, so call and leave a voicemail even when the clinic is closed.

Questions?

Call Shepherd’s Clinic at (410) 467-7140 if you have questions about any of these policies.