Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative
The Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative (BVMI) provides free healthcare to adults who live in Bergen County and do not have health insurance. If you do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid or other subsidized healthcare, you may qualify for BVMI's medical services.
BVMI provides care to about 1,200 patients every year. Patients are scheduled five days a week, both in the clinic and via tele-health. There is a nurse practitioner on staff who is available for phone consults and sick visits to help to keep people out of the emergency room.
Women account for nearly 70% of BVMI’s patient population and are often the sole support for their family. All female patients receive an annual well-woman exam, including a mammogram for those aged forty and over. In addition, every patient receives a complete physical exam, including lab work.
BVMI is also able to provide safe space for women patients in psychological or emotional distress. As part of the intake process, all new BVMI patients complete a depression screening survey. Depending on the outcome of that survey, BVMI can offer [free] mental health services as well as access to a case manager who can help connect people to partner agencies which aid them in obtaining food, rent and utility assistance, employment information, legal services, and other resources to help provide for the family.
People with chronic conditions such diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, etc. can receive ongoing care. This includes medication monitoring, educating patients on nutrition, exercise, and other healthy lifestyle habits.
BVMI has six practicing physicians who all believe that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. They, along with other staff members, treat patients and one another with dignity, respect and compassion, and do not fail to meet the highest standards of medical practice. The BVMI office is located at 75 Essex Street, Suite 100, in Hackensack. Phone: 201-342-2478.