Uninsured

Toledo OH

Description

I just wanted to post this as an information thread after seeing a few posts of people seeking help. Hopefully it helps someone. Having no insurance can be extremely distressing and also embarrassing. I am sure there are many in this position so here is some information I have found over the last couple of years. It is incredibly stressful to remain in pain and untreated because healthcare is financially inaccessible to some of us for various reasons. For Dental, The Halim Clinic is the best option I have found locally for free basic dentistry. They cannot do cosmetic work but they can do extractions, fillings, cleaning & xrays. They only operate on a Saturday morning but they do have a dental wait list which is LONG. I believe they will see you in an emergency but you have to just turn up early and wait your turn. They always need donations for the great work they do https://www.halimclinic.org/ Last year I tried Ann Arbor Dental school, this is not free just reduced cost and performed by students. My particular quote as it was advanced work I need was not that much less than quoted locally so with travel it was not something I could pursue nor afford. My experience here was not great and that was just for an initial assessment. It is a long round trip so factor that in where cost is a factor. The Halim Clinic also provide medical care with onsite doctors to help do things like prescriptions and referrals. Some general prescriptions are free. They can also do a womens clinic with PAP smears and breast checks by hand to show you how to check yourself. They cannot do things like free ultrasounds or scans but they CAN do free standard lab work as required. Please be patient as it is run by volunteers and medical staff volunteer their time here. If you are paying out of pocket for healthcare, the most transparent place for things like ultrasounds and other lab work I have found is The Toledo Clinic. An abdominal ultrasound is about $113 out of pocket which is the cheapest I found. I was in need of a surgery out of pocket this last 2 years and my quotes had been upwards of $20,000 even with limited assistance through University of Toledo. I did not go that route as getting the initial costs was so hard! I eventually found (through a Halim Clinic recommendation), that Wood County Hospital are the most helpful and transparent with hospital costs (physician costs, anesthesia etc is all a bit of a mystery so far) to my knowledge they too have a dental arm through Wood County Health Dept and offer assistance through a financial application that is based on your income. They do not consider your debts when reviewing you just income and savings. The other place for free medical appointments, again by students under supervision, is Community Care Clinic http://www.utcommunitycare.org/patients and they can do assessments, prescription writing and some free prescription fills such as blood pressure, anti depressants etc. This is run on Thursdays from 5.30pm. They can also help you with Carenet if you are applicable through certain providers https://www.toledocarenet.org/ they can also check if you are eligible for insurance through the healthcare marketplace although cost is generally the issue here too for those struggling hence them being uninsured in the first place https://www.healthcare.gov/subscribe/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwvqeUBhCBARIsAOdt45ZP3HGwFDSk6TknRlQTHiU-93G2W9j7ZwOj8V4Wegt1NG1cgvOo8ZUaAitPEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Be prepared to wait a while to be seen in this clinic as if is free and very busy. I hope this post helps others who are struggling as I can tell you the worry and stress being uninsured and in pain is no fun. There is no shame asking for help and a good place to start is calling 211 or contacting https://www.unitedwaytoledo.org/ I got limited help but now i have substantial medical bills to pay so i am selling anything I can get my hands on to pay those down.