Нюша
1st May 2006, 15:29
One of the forum members asked me where to find a Health Center in her area. I thought this would be good information to share with everyone.
For those of you who don't know, Health Centers are a type of organization that receive partial funding from the Bureau of Primary Health Care (government branch) - they are in almost every city. They are non profit organizations whose sole mission is to provide free or discounted health care to the working poor, elderly or unemployed. Most Health Centers provide comprehensive care. That means that they are the equivalent of Kaiser for the disadvantage community - chronic disease management, prescription, prenatal care, counseling, even dental services in some areas. Most of them can provide discounted or free medications as well.
Health Center are not Free Clinics. Health Centers charge the poorest people a nominal fee (like $10 per visit) and the more you make, the bigger percentage you pay. If you make too much, it doesn't make sense for you to go to a Health Center because you will be paying full price for services. But if you get paid in cash and bring in a tax return showing very little, you will get very cheap health care. Free Clinics on the other hand, provide the services absolutely free, but the have very limited services....prescriptions, urgent cases like a bad flu or a broken finger, asthma control, etc.
In any case, here is a link to the California Primary Care Association....you can find a Center or a Clinic near you....
http://www.cpca.org/resources/findclinic/
If you have any question, don't hesistate to PM me.
PS - if you are in the country illegaly, they will treat you too! They don't discriminate or report you. If you don't have a pay stub or any papers from the IRS, some health centers will accept a short written letter from your employer indicating how much you make.
PPS - These services exist in all States, I just don't have their info. So if you need it, go to google and search for "free clinic Denver" or "health center Denver".
For those of you who don't know, Health Centers are a type of organization that receive partial funding from the Bureau of Primary Health Care (government branch) - they are in almost every city. They are non profit organizations whose sole mission is to provide free or discounted health care to the working poor, elderly or unemployed. Most Health Centers provide comprehensive care. That means that they are the equivalent of Kaiser for the disadvantage community - chronic disease management, prescription, prenatal care, counseling, even dental services in some areas. Most of them can provide discounted or free medications as well.
Health Center are not Free Clinics. Health Centers charge the poorest people a nominal fee (like $10 per visit) and the more you make, the bigger percentage you pay. If you make too much, it doesn't make sense for you to go to a Health Center because you will be paying full price for services. But if you get paid in cash and bring in a tax return showing very little, you will get very cheap health care. Free Clinics on the other hand, provide the services absolutely free, but the have very limited services....prescriptions, urgent cases like a bad flu or a broken finger, asthma control, etc.
In any case, here is a link to the California Primary Care Association....you can find a Center or a Clinic near you....
http://www.cpca.org/resources/findclinic/
If you have any question, don't hesistate to PM me.
PS - if you are in the country illegaly, they will treat you too! They don't discriminate or report you. If you don't have a pay stub or any papers from the IRS, some health centers will accept a short written letter from your employer indicating how much you make.
PPS - These services exist in all States, I just don't have their info. So if you need it, go to google and search for "free clinic Denver" or "health center Denver".