Healthcare is one of the most costly and essential expense for individuals, families, businesses, and communities. Health insurance is designed to cover healthcare costs such as prescription medications, doctor and hospital visits, any necessary treatments, and any necessary lab work, tests, or scans. For those who can't afford health insurance there are many options available.
Mini-clinics
Mini-clinics are found in many drugstores such as CVS, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart. They offer clinical advice from nurse practitioners and physicians assistants for a small fee. The fees vary by illness and clinic, with some illnesses costing a flat rate. These mini-clinics offer diagnosis and treatment of minor illness such as sinus infections, bladder infections, and pinkeye. Some clinics also offer preventative care in the form of cholesterol screenings, high blood pressure prevention, and screening for diabetes, as well as vaccinations. The nurse practitioners and physicians assistants staffed at these mini-clinics are all authorized to prescribe medications and the clinics are usually open seven days a week.
Community Health Centers
Community Health Centers are publicly and privately funded health centers that provide primary care, preventative health, and gynecological services to patients of all ages. They differ from free clinics as they are overseen by the government and held to a regulated standard of care, which is not always the case with free clinics. Services include everything from routine exams, to pap smears, to STD testing and counseling, to prescriptions. Many times these medical centers provide the same or similar care to that of a standard doctor's office. The cost for all services is based on income level and patients are only asked to pay amounts appropriate to their income level. Most of these clinics are state or federally funded, but also take private donations to provide more quality care to their patients.
TelaDoc Medical Services
TeleDoc is a medical service that allows patients to speak directly, either online or by phone, with a licensed physician who can diagnosis minor symptoms and prescribe medication. The service is available 24 hours a day and is not meant to replace regular doctor's visits or a primary care physician. It is best suited for patients who recognize the symptoms of a previously treated illness, such as strep throat, and need a confirmed diagnosis and prescription. The service costs a small monthly membership fee and charges a flat fee each time the patient is connected with a physician. Physicians will usually respond to inquiries within three hours.
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood clinics are similar to Community Health Centers in that they are regulated by the government and so are held to certain standards of care. They also rely primarily on state funding and donations. Planned Parenthood was originally designed for women and their reproductive health, although services for men are available. The standard services that all clinics provide are routine pap tests, STD testing, breast exams, menopausal help, birth control counseling, and gynecological infections. Services may vary by clinic depending on funding. Like Community Health Centers, Planned Parenthood clinics charge patients on a sliding scale based on their income level.
2-1-1 Services
2-1-1 is a telephone service provided by United Way and AIRS, the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems. Available in most communities, it offers information on essential social services such as healthcare, housing options and support groups. The information offered by 2-1-1 includes community services in basic human needs, physical and mental health resources, employment support, support for older Americans and persons with disabilities, support for children, youth, and families, and volunteer opportunities and donations.
Tags: Community Health, Community Health Centers, Planned Parenthood, Health Centers, income level, free clinics
