RESULTS: See table. CONCLUSION: Free clinics in Virginia effectively leveraged $6.8 million operating expenses into $24.5 million worth of medical services. The average expense per visit, including prescriptions and health care provider services, compares favorably to private practice office benchmarks. Although many patients were served, they represented only the tip of the iceberg in Virginia in 1999, comprising only 4% of the approximately one million uninsured. While free clinics provide an outlet for patients who might not receive care otherwise, physicians and policy makers must continue to work for a more comprehensive solution.