This year in Missouri, 690,000 people are living without health insurance. Fortunately, in Kansas City, this doesn't have to mean paying thousands of dollars for emergency care, nor does it mean going without.
A number of clinics offer free or sliding scale care to the uninsured.
Kansas City Free Health Clinic offers general, dental, and mental health services at no cost. Weekday appointments must be made 24 hours in advance.
Cabot Westside Clinic provides a number of services, including pediatrics and a pharmacy, for English- and Spanish-speaking residents.
Seton Center's sliding scale services include dental, general, and pediatrics, with extended summer hours.
Residents of KCK may schedule appointments at Southwest Boulevard Family Health Care Services for sliding scale immunizations, OB/GYN, internal medicine, or even minor surgery.
Turner House Clinic specializes in patients under the age of 21, with a $20 office visit.
Larger hospitals also offer special services for the uninsured. Kansas University Medical Center, for example, has a financial assistance program for patients whose gross family income is less than 400% of federal poverty guidelines, and Children's Mercy offers a similar program to those without any other health coverage.
Programs like the ones at KUMed and Children's Mercy require that patients complete an application to determine eligibility. Usually, the cutoff date to apply is three weeks after receiving treatment.
Yet another well-kept secret lies in the hands of the doctors themselves. Hospitals can claim tax deductions for charity cases, and doctors are responsible for bringing those cases to the administration. There is no guarantee of acceptance, but it merits inquiry.
For those with primarily pharmaceutical needs, both Pfizer and Together Rx Access offer prescription coverage cards for low-income families and individuals.
For a more complete listing of free or low-cost health care options as well as a list of individual insurance plan providers, visit http://web.kshb.com/kshb/call_for_action/health_resource_guide_2006.pdf.
Copyright 2007 Metropolitan Community College