Pharmacy Partnership Helping the Uninsured

The "Help is Here" bus made its' way to Flint, Michigan on Thursday, July 23. The program was launched by a non-profit trade organization Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). "The PPA bus tours have logged more than 350,000 miles in at least 2,500 towns and cities in all 50 states, and have served more than 200,000 patients in Michigan and almost six million nationwide." The program was founded to help those uninsured and needing pharmaceutical aid. The bus rounds cities with counselors aboard. Those counselors spend around 15 minutes with each case, determining if they are eligible for assistance with pharmaceutical programs. "We are reaching out to the uninsured and those struggling financially to make sure they get the help they need," said spokesman Jeff Trewhitt. Each day, more and more people and programs are finding new ways to help those without health insurance. Anyone can help by rating health care and giving advice on WhereToFindCare.com.

If you are unable to afford health care, you may qualify for free or reduced cost health care from free clinics or federally qualified health centers in your area.

For the full article, visit: MLive: Partnership for Prescriptions
For the main website, visit: www.pparx.org

New FQHC opens in Taylor Michigan

Patients looking for access to health care services in Southeastern Michigan now have a new option: Western Wayne Family Health Center - Taylor. Thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and caring leadership and board at the Western Wayne Family Health Center in Inkster - the new center offers much needed services in Downriver and SE Michigan region.

While the grand opening is set for Monday, July 27, 2009, the center has been caring for patients since it opened it's doors July 1. All patients are welcome - insured and uninsured. All insurances are accepted.

They also offer same day and next day appointments.

Where To Find Care.com wishes the very best to Western Wayne Family Health Center-Taylor and many years of providing care for our community.

No Job? No Health Insurance? Don't be Afraid to Ask for Help

While searching today for free medical care, I came across an inspiring story I wanted to share.

In February, Dr Richard Klein, an internist from New York, ran an ad in a local paper advertising free medical care for existing patients who had lost their job and had no insurance. It's a service he has been offering for awhile. He started it after learning one of his long-time patients didn't make an appointment to see him because he had no health insurance. The patient fell very ill and had to be seen by the emergency room. "I always tell patients, I don't want you to wind up like the guy who nearly died," says Klein.

"There's a lot of depression going on around town because people lost jobs or are about to," he explains. "If everyone reaches out to people who lost a job or have fallen upon bad times, it would be so uplifting for the community."

I read about Dr Klein's story in an article written by Russell Turk, MD, called "The Doctor is In: Out of Work? Ask your physician for a discount"

In his article, Turk hopes other health care providers will starting asking themselves what they can do to help their patients hit by the recession.

He writes "They could start by being more proactive in asking about their patients' financial situation."

Dr Klein took a great step offering and then advertising his free medical care program. Another avenue to consider: volunteering. With more and more Americans losing their jobs and their health care insurance, free health care clinics are seeing more patients than ever. These clinics often operate on donations and volunteers.

As for patients, Turk encourages them to call their physician's office, explain their situation, and ask if any assistance can be provided.

Don't be embarrassed or afraid to ask. Your doctor may offer aid, but if you don't ask, you'll never know.

Other Links of Interest:
Free Clinic Locator
Federally Qualified Health Center Locator
Discounted care courtesy of the Federal Government
Discounted Prescription Programs
Women gain access to vital screening

*Information on WheretoFindCare.com is for informational purposes only. Always seek medical advice from your physician for any medical conditions you may have.

Hospitals help patients understand cost of care

Listing to the radio this morning, there was a local hospital that offered insight on how all hospitals can work with consumers to understand options when it comes to affording services. Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan aired a segment on their weekly radio hour that presented a new program called OakAssist, informed consent for financial services. Not to be confused with the Informed Consent forms that the patient must sign prior to clinical services, this program contacts patient who are scheduled for services at the hospital and assists them prior to services about coverage, options, and discounts.


For the insured, they work with your insurance to get preauthorization so you know if a specific procedure will be covered and what is your responsibility with coinsurance and copays. For the uninsured/underinsured they will determine if you qualify for their charity care policy, discount for self-pay in the event you exceed the income qualifications for their charity care program, and offer direction for those that don't qualify for either. In essence, it is a predetermination of services for hospital care - a wonderful step in informing consumers prior to engagement, a win-win for both the consumer and the hospital.

WhereToFindCare.com welcomes all hospitals to use our website to update their charity care information to inform all consumers of this financial polices. The more information we can put in the consumers hands the better decisions they can make about their health care choices. This will be helpful to not only those with scheduled events but also emergent or urgent needs.

For hospitals near you be sure to check out simple search feature WhereToFindCare.com, The Health Care Directory.

And be sure to contact us if you hear of any other money saving health care programs, we'd love to hear from you!

Discounted care courtesy of the Federal Government

Did you know that besides Charity Care Clinics privately funded by caring community members and businesses, there are other clinics where the uninsured can find health care on a sliding scale or in some cases at no cost?

Federally Qualified Health Centers receive funding from the US Government to offer care on a sliding scale to those who qualify. They typically accept Medicare and Medicaid as well some other types of insurance. Most offer medical services for primary care needs. Some offer dental services and prescription assistance programs.

With over 3700 FQHCs across the nation, there is sure to be one in your vicinity. Search for a FQHC in your area today.

No Health Insurance? A Tip to Control Health Care Costs

Keeping the cost of health care down when you're uninsured or under-insured is not easy. But learning from one common mistake and a few tips can help you avoid big costs down the road.

Avoid the Emergency Room! This is an extremely expensive place to seek treatment and should only be used when absolutely necessary - like in an "emergency." We often hear about people making the mistake of using the ER as their source of primary care. Others put off basic medical care until their condition becomes serious enough for the ER. This is dangerous, both financially and physically. In many cases it is cheaper to take your medications or have regular doctor visits than it is to go to the ER and be subsequently admitted to the hospital for treatment of a neglected chronic condition. This is the type of thing that gets people into serious financial trouble, like bankruptcy.

Instead, here are some things you can do to avoid a preventable trip the the ER:

1. Use an urgent care or walk-in clinic instead. These places may be more suited to your needs (as long as they are not life-threatening) and are much cheaper. Find an urgent care or walk-in clinic near you.

2. Take your meds. If you can't afford them, many drug companies, free clinics, pharmacies and other community organizations have programs to pay for or subsidize the cost of medications for people in need. A good place to start your research is www.needymeds.org. Also, talk to your doctor. He or she may know of more programs to help.

3. Don't skimp on your primary care, especially if you have a chronic condition that needs to be monitored. If you can no longer afford your doctor, don't be afraid to talk to him/her or to compare prices of other offices. Ask to pay the same as your insurance company used to pay. If that doesn't work, you may want to show them lower pricing of other local physicians. If your doctor refuses to work with you, start looking for another one who will.

If all else fails or you are still unable to afford discounted rates you negotiate with your doctor, find a free clinic in your area. You may qualify for free or reduced fee services. Call the clinic directly to first to see if you qualify and whether they offer the services you require.

Do you have any other tips to avoid the ER or to control health care costs? We'd love to hear them. Share them with others by commenting on this post.

WhereToFindCare.com

Could Help Be On The Way For Our Uninsured?

President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Tom Daschle to be the new Health and Human Services secretary. Why might this be significant? Because according to this report, Daschle supports a government-funded insurance program for the nation's uninsured. And since Daschle will be responsible for helping set health care policy, perhaps real change might be on the horizon.

In the meantime, if you are uninsured and can't afford health care visit WhereToFindCare.com to search for free clinics in your area.

We're Helping the Uninsured

Sadly, there are an estimated 47 million uninsured Americans out there...many of whom cannot afford basic medical care that would prevent deadly diseases.

WhereToFindCare.com is committed to help these Americans in need. We just added a "Free Clinic Search" where visitors can find organizations providing basic medical care in their area. Read more about our free clinic search.... Or search for free clinics in your area now.

A word of caution: please contact the clinic before you visit them. Their resources are limited and often have restricted hours, services and always have income limitations.

If you're a free clinic administrator and your facility is missing from our data base, you may submit it for free. We'll also give you a free premium home page to help promote your services.

If you're not in need, please consider donating to a clinic in your area. Our favorite: the Cabrini Clinic of Detroit.