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Finding
Health Care Coverage
Free and low cost health care resources available in West
Virginia.
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MEDICAID.
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services
provides medical benefits to low income West Virginians
though the Medicaid program. Find out more by visiting
Medicaid online. As with CHIP, you can apply for
Medicaid online at
InRoads.
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BREAST AND CERVICAL
CANCER SCREENING AND TREATMENT.
Uninsured women with breast and cervical cancer may be
eligible to receive free treatment services through the West
Virginia Medicaid program.
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FREE CLINICS.
There are at least nine free health care clinics in West
Virginia and more on the way. The oldest is
West Virginia Health Right in Charleston. You can find
a list of
locations for these clinics online.
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FAMILY PLANNING
SERVICES. Eligible
low income women can receive free family planning services
including contraceptives at health departments or community
health centers.
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HOSPITAL DISCOUNTS.
Most hospitals in West Virginia offer free or discounted
hospital care to patients who qualify. If hospitalized, be
sure to inquire about the hospital's policies for treating
patients without insurance coverage. For example,
Charleston Area Medical Center offers a 20 percent discount
to people with no health insurance and free care to those
who make less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level,
don't have more than $50,000 in net assets and meet other
requirements.
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LOW COST CLINICS.
The West Virginia
Primary Care Association lists the
primary health care clinics across West Virginia where
uninsured people can get medical services and medication
assistance for fees that are adjusted to the patient's
income.
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FREE DENTAL HYGIENE
CARE. The West
Virginia University Institute of Technology Dental Hygiene
Program in Montgomery offers free cleanings and other
dental services at certain times during the spring and fall
semesters. There are no eligibility or income requirements,
and no fee is charged.
Call (304) 442-3345 for more
information.
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PHYSICAL,
OCCUPATIONAL, AND SPEECH THERAPY.
Children's Therapy Clinic is a private, nonprofit
organization that provides physical therapy, occupational
therapy and speech therapy services to children with special
needs. All services are provided free of charge to all
clients. To qualify for services at the clinic, a child
must either have a family income below the federal poverty
level or have no health insurance to cover his/her
condition.
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FREE MEDICAL AIR
TRANSPORT. The
National Patient Travel Helpline provides information
about all forms of charitable, long-distance medical air
trans-portation and provides referral to all appropriate
sources of help available in the national charitable medical
air transportation network.
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SCHOOL BASED HEALTH
CENTERS.
School-Based Health Centers are small primary care
clinics that bring preventive and primary care, counseling,
health education, and sometimes dental services to children
and adolescents at their schools. There are 46 School-Based
Health Centers and one School-Linked program in 18 West
Virginia counties.
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RESOURCE DIRECTORY.
Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia has a comprehensive
resource directory with descriptions, contacts, and Web site
links for programs serving children and families across West
Virginia. Some of them related to medical and dental
services.
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CATASTROPHIC ILLNESS
COMMISSION.
The
Catastrophic Illness Commission acts as a last resort
for those in dire need of medical assistance
where no other resources are available. Covered expenses
include medical procedures, transportation, and medication
that prevents rejection and/or reoccurrence of life
threatening illness.
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EASTER SEALS WEST VIRGINIA.
Easter
Seals West Virginia funds programs that provide
physical, occupational and speech therapy, early
intervention, social work services, medical services and
advocacy to individuals with developmental delays and
disabilities. Services are offered through two primary
programs. The West Virginia Birth to Three Program serves
families from WV who are showing signs or are at risk for
developmental delays. The Outpatient Medical Rehabilitation
Program focuses on WV residents three years and older and
out-of-state residents who are between the ages of birth and
adulthood. Those who come to Easter Seals may need
assistance with daily activities such as walking, talking,
feeding, learning and eating.
Fees are based on a sliding scale.
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CHILDREN w/SPECIAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS - OFFICE OF MATERNAL AND
CHILD HEALTH. The
Office of Maternal and Child Health in the West Virginia
Public Health Bureau provides specialized
health services for children with certain congenital or
acquired medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy,
epilepsy, cardiac defects, cystic fibrosis, ENT problems,
and certain neurological, oral and urological conditions.
Services are free although
cost-sharing may be required for those who exceed
income guidelines.
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NATIONAL EYE CARE
PROJECT.
The
National Eye Care Project
Matches patients with
volunteer ophthalmologists in their area. Sponsored by the
Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the
Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. Designed for, but not
limited to, financially disadvantaged seniors. All US
citizens or legal residents, age 65 and over, who have not
seen an ophthalmologist in the last 3 years or longer are
eligible for NECP. Doctor will provide a comprehensive eye
exam and a full year treatment for any condition diagnosed
in the initial visit at NO COST. Will accept Medicare or
other insurance reimbursement as payment in full. Those
without insurance receive treatment at no charge.
Call
(800) 222-3937.
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ONLINE BENEFITS FINDER
FOR THOSE OVER 55.
The
National Council on the Aging provides an online
Benefits CheckUp to help find programs for people ages
55 and over that may pay for some of their costs of
prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other
essential items or services. Visitors may fill out a simple
questionnaire to find programs that can assist them or their
loved ones.
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WEST VIRGINIA HEALTH
INSURANCE PLAN.
The
WV Public Employees Insurance Agency is launching a new
comprehensive health care plan for uninsured small
businesses. This plan will be available to uninsured
businesses having between 2-50 employees and will allow
insurance carriers to use PEIA reimbursement rates and the
drug rates in effect for the multi-state drug purchasing
plan.
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HIGH RISK POOL.
Coming in July, 2005:
West Virginians who cannot obtain health care coverage
because of a medical condition, will be able to buy coverage
through the state's high risk pool. For information call,
the West Virginia Insurance Commission at 304-558-3354
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