Overview of Our FREE Programs

The lower middle wage earners, individuals who work, are a forgotten group who assume disproportionate burdens. We defined lower middle wage earners as those who fall above the Federal poverty line but beneath the median income. Based on data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this category consists of individuals earning annual salaries in the range $14-41 thousand. Pejoratively referred to as the "working class", they perform many jobs with dangerous occupational exposures and are highly underpaid for their work. Their highly underpaid work is the nuts and bolts of all developed societies. To the effect that this demographic is denigrated, IFEHC's Medical Director believes even the BLS marginalizes them. IFEHC's Medical Director could not determine from the BLS data available to him what percentage of American individuals constitute lower middle wage earners. Nor could he even find histograms or any raw data amenable to extrapolating this figure. If this figures are available, no one else is going out of his/her way to make them known. If we are wrong, please correct us!

One in 8 people in the 19 non-Coastal Western states are uninsured (US Census Bureau, 2019 and 2020). We suspect the bulk of those 1 in 8 are lower middle wage earners. Based on a histogram from households in 2019, IFEHC's Medical Director roughly estimates about 1/3 of American incomes falling in that range. If this figure is accurate, then we estimate that well over 1 in 3 lower middle wage earners in the non-Coastal West are uninsured.

IFEHC welcomes individuals from all demographics. However, IFEHC would like to give an especially warm welcome to wage earners with annual incomes under $41K who do not qualify for entitlements for which they pay taxes and other free clinics. Among the 2,617 free and affordable clinics in the non-Coastal West, IFEHC stands out for not doing any means testing whatsoever. IFEHC is truly free. It also does not charge any fees for routine services.

Click below to hear an audio clip of the Medical Director, Dr. David M. Boren, M.D., introducing on September 8, 2021 that all services offered by IFEHC are now pro bono (free).

On September 15, 2021; Lookout Credit Union agreed to sponsor IFEHC. Sponsors like Lookout Credit Union make possible our bold attempt to provide free healthcare to lower middle wage earners throughout the non-Coastal West.

We would also like to thank several other contributors:

1. SCORE! mentorship
2. Assist-to-Sell - The Realty Team, realtor Byron Price
3. Riverbend Communications
4. Anonymous
5. Nathan Dirscherl

The Employment Health Clinic offers many services:

1. DOT/CDL medical cards
2. Interpreting tuberculosis skin tests
3. Respirator medical clearances
4. Fitness for duty, including return to work
5. Evaluations for insurance and workers compensation
6. Medicolegal consultation

Finishing DOT-CDL driving school? Need CDL recertification for driving a commercial truck or commercial bus? Need medical clearance to wear a respirator? Need a medicolegal expert opinion?

Idaho Falls Employment Health Clinic (IFEHC) offers Federal Motor Carrier Safety Admin

Disclaimer that examinees are not patients and are generally not subject to physician-patient relationship. Exceptions can apply if treatments are given.

The Adult Internal Medicine Clinic is a free clinic for non-emergencies. Experiencing a nagging issue? Call us (click Contact at the bottom of the page).

The following list is not exhaustive - it is growing. It gives an idea of the types of cases (actual and suspected/ruled out) IFEHC has handled.

1. hypertension (elevated blood pressure)
2. cellulitis (skin infection)
3. fungal infections
4. headaches, including migraines
5. conjunctivitis (inflammation of the lining of the eyes)
6. sinus infection
7. strep throat
8. urinary tract infections
9. diagnosing pregnancy (NOT managing it or delivering babies)
10. hypothyroid
11. nausea, including prophylaxis (prevention) of motion sickness
12. diabetes mellitus
13. low back pain
14. preventive medicine counseling
15. requests for refills of (NON-controlled substance) medications such as blood pressure or EpiPen

Disclaimer that callers do not become patients until IFEHC agrees to accept them. In addition, any established patients who fail to follow advice lose their standing as patients. Chronically failing to follow medical advice counts as terminating the physician-patient relationship. For emergencies, call 911.

The Employment Health Clinic offers many services:

1. DOT/CDL medical cards
2. Interpreting tuberculosis skin tests
3. Respirator medical clearances
4. Fitness for duty, including return to work
5. Evaluations for insurance and workers compensation
6. Medicolegal consultation

Finishing DOT-CDL driving school? Need CDL recertification for driving a commercial truck or commercial bus?

Idaho Falls Employment Health Clinic (IFEHC) offers Federal Motor Carrier Safety Admin

Disclaimer that examinees are not patients and are generally not subject to physician-patient relationship. Exceptions can apply if treatments are given.

IFEHC will take all reasonable measures to keep its programs free to the public. However, a few disclaimers are in effect.

(1) As many times as we can possibly repeat: if you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.

(2) IFEHC does not guarantee its services to everyone who calls. Per Principle VI of the AMA Code of Ethics: "A physician shall, in the provision of appropriate patient care, except in emergencies, be free to choose whom to serve, with whom to associate, and the environment in which to provide medical care." As indicated, IFEHC is by appointment only. IFEHC's Medical Director triages all queries and decides whether to offer an appointment. IFEHC's Medical Director may determine a case is not appropriate for our clinic. Any conversation with the Medical Director in the absence of a formal evaluation does not constitute a physician-patient relationship. Even after a formal evaluation, the Medical Director still reserves the right to say a case is not appropriate for this clinic. It is common sense that a free clinic with limited resources will not be able to meet with all complicated needs. As pertains to the Employment Health Clinic, IFEHC's Medical Director guarantees he will turn down anyone who he believes is dishonest.

(3) Free simply means IFEHC does not generate any revenue. For DOT exams, drivers may need to be referred out for additional testing that is beyond IFEHC's means and capabilities. At the internal medicine clinic, medications are prescribed for free but must be purchased by patients. IFEHC does NOT dispense any medications. In addition, diagnostic tests that are far beyond the means and capabilities of IFEHC must be done at outside facilities. In IFEHC's current situation, such outside expenses must be borne exclusively by the patients.  Even in the case of service as expert witnesses; it is reasonable to ask for assistance covering undue expenses such as lodging, fax cartridges, or paper. IFEHC will happily absorb up to $25 in costs per case after which it considers costs unduly burdensome.

(4) IFEHC is not guaranteeing its world-class services indefinitely - only for as long as the Medical Director deems it sustainable to render them free of charge. Indeed, IFEHC is assuming an unusual burden to the community by allowing top quality services for free. IFEHC's ability to continue rendering free services depends on keeping down recurring costs (e.g., rent or utilities) which may be outside IFEHC's control. In addition, IFEHC depends on donations to balance its budget. Moreover, it is legitimate reason to discontinue free services if the Medical Director has good faith reason to believe they do not have the intended outcomes or that they are being abused. IFEHC reserves the right to, and will, reevaluate at the end of each financial quarter the sustainability of this initiative as well as the measurable effects on the community.

(5) Like all American medical facilities, IFEHC guarantees medically competent care. In our opinion, our care is world-class. However, neither IFEHC nor any other healthcare facility can guarantee results.

(6) In IFEHC's efforts to be transparent, we have highlighted every known place that we have not attained 501(c)(3) status.