I'm 22, and have never been to a gynocologist. I don't have health insurance and have little money.
I know I'm old to not have gone. I have no transportation to get there, and have responsibilities to take care of during the day.
My question is, can I see a physician in this area, even though I've never been? How can I get in? And how much will it cost?
Thank you. planned parenthood sounds perfect for you- you probably will be able to get at least a discount, if not free services and they will cover all types of female health, even primary care, physicals, immunizations, prenatal care, and diabetes screenings. the one where i live has a bus stop right in front so you can probably take your local bus or some sort of public transportation to your clinic. check them out here: www.plannedparenthood.org glad to help! Report It
Look in the blue pages of the telephone book and call the nearest women's resource center or women's help center and ask them as they will know a free or very low fee clinic or doctor. They can also direct you to county or city services for free or very low fee transportation services. Also call your local welfare office as they might be able to help you out as well. Take Care of yourself. Planned parenthood can give low-cost health-care to women who don't have health insurance and don't earn much. Check with your city's health dept to see if they offer a free clinic. They may also be able to give you ideas on transportation as well. If you can't find anything that way check with a Medical School if there is one close by. Planned parenthood is probably your best choice. They're everywhere, cheap or free, and if you fit in the right income bracket they'll even give you free birth control. They're around for people like you. Go to a free clinic. Go to the health dept.
When you don鈥檛 have money to get the care you need:
http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc/
http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/browse.as...
http://www.hrsa.gov/help/default.htm
http://www.thefrugallife.com/medicalalte...
http://www.google.com/search?q=Free+Low+...
http://www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/default.h...
Hill Burton Hotline
1-800-638-0742
(1-800-492-0359 in Maryland)
In 1946, Congress passed a law that gave hospitals, nursing homes and other health facilities grants and loans for construction and modernization. In return, they agreed to provide a reasonable volume of services to persons unable to pay and to make their services available to all persons residing in the facility鈥檚 area. The program stopped providing funds in 1997, but about 300 health care facilities nationwide are still obligated to provide free or reduced-cost care.
Steps to Apply for Hill-Burton Free or reduced-cost Care
1.Find the Hill-Burton obligated facility nearest you from the list of Hill-Burton obligated facilities.
2.Go to the facility's admissions or business office and ask for a copy of the Hill-Burton Individual Notice. The Individual Notice will tell you what income level makes you eligible for free or reduced-cost care, what services might be covered, and exactly where in the facility to apply.
3.Go to the office listed in the Individual Notice and say you want to apply for Hill-Burton free or reduced-cost care. You may need to fill out a form.
4.Gather any other required documents (such as a pay stub to prove income eligibility) and take or send them to the obligated facility.
5.If you are asked to apply for Medicaid, Medicare, or some other financial assistance program, you must do so.
6.When you return the completed application, ask for a Determination of Eligibility. Check the Individual Notice to see how much time the facility has before it must tell you whether or not you will receive free or reduced-cost care.
More about Hill-Burton Free or Reduced-Cost Care
You are eligible to apply for Hill-Burton free care if your income is at or below the current HHS Poverty Guidelines. You may be eligible for Hill-Burton reduced-cost care if your income is as much as two times (triple for nursing home care) the HHS Poverty Guidelines.
Care at a Hill-Burton obligated facility is not automatically free or reduced-cost. You must apply at the admissions or business office at the obligated facility and be found eligible to receive free or reduced-cost care. You may apply before or after you receive care -- you may even apply after a bill has been sent to a collection agency.
Some Hill-Burton facilities may use different eligibility standards and procedures.
Hill-Burton facilities must post a sign in their admissions and business offices and emergency room that says: NOTICE - Medical Care for Those Who Cannot Afford to Pay, and they must provide you with a written Individual Notice that lists the types of services eligible for Hill-Burton free or reduced-cost care, what income level qualifies for free or reduced-cost care and how long the facility may take in determining an applicant's eligibility.
Only facility costs are covered, not your private doctors' bills. Facilities may require you to provide documentation that verifies your eligibility, such as proof of income.
Hill-Burton facilities must provide a specific amount of free or reduced cost care each year, but can stop once they have given that amount. Obligated facilities publish an Allocation Plan in the local newspaper each year. The Allocation Plan includes the income criteria and the types of services it intends to provide at no cost or below cost. It also specifies the amount of free or reduced cost services it will provide for the year.
When you apply for Hill-Burton care, the obligated facility must provide you with a written statement that tells you what free or reduced-cost care services you will get or why you have been denied.
The facility may deny your request if
路Your income is more than the income specified in the Allocation Plan.
路The facility has given out its required amount of free care as specified in its Allocation Plan.
路The services you requested or received are not covered in the facility's Allocation Plan.
路The services you requested or received are to be paid by a governmental program such as Medicare/Medicaid or insurance.
路The facility asked you to apply for Medicare/Medicaid or other governmental program, and you did not.
路You did not give the facility proof of your income, such as a pay stub.
You may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if you believe you have been unfairly denied Hill-Burton free or reduced-cost care. Your complaint must be in writing and can be a letter that simply states the facts and dates concerning the complaint. You may call your local legal aid services for help in filing a complaint.
Where can I go to get free or reduced-cost prenatal care?
You can call this number if you need free birth control help, too!
Women in every state can get help to pay for medical care during their pregnancies. This prenatal care can help you have a healthy baby. Every state in the United States has a program to help. Programs give medical care, information, advice and other services important for a healthy pregnancy.
To find out about the program in your state:
路Call 1-800-311-BABY (1-800-311-2229) This toll-free telephone number will connect you to the Health Department in your area code
路For information in Spanish, call 1-800-504-7081
路Call or contact your local Health Department. |
