community health centers

[tabbycat31]

Anyone here ever use one? I'm sicker than hell right now, and can't see a doctor because I have no insurance. There's a community health center not far from me (I only know this cause we put campaign posters right outside of there) and I'm wondering if anyone ever had any experiences with one?

[prairierose]

1. yes, I like our community health center...I have been going there for several years...

now. I had a great Dr but she left to run another community health center in a small town nearby. There are several Drs and several PAs and I think a couple of Nurse practitioners. Usually, if you have to get in to see someone in a hurry, you see a PA or NP. They have all been very good. Once when a PA thought what I had was something serious, she went to get a Dr to look at me too. I think they are thorough. I like our clinic because they do their own x-rays and lab work so they are cheaper and faster than some other clinics in town.

If you are sick and need to see someone, try it. It is better than being so sick and wondering. I always ask my DR for generics if they prescribe anything so that the prescription is affordable. Drs at community health know that people can't afford ridiculous prices so they have no problem with that and also give samples.

[tabbycat31]

4. just out of curiousity how much do they charge?

Most likely the drugs I would need would be antibiotics, and right now my grocery store is offering them for free, so I'm not worried there.

[juno jones]

5. In my experience, it's a sliding scale thing.

You need to have your ducks in a row regarding proof of income. But once you are approved doc visits are usually $20 at the time of the visit and you get a bill later for anything you had done...which can be paid off at $5-$10 dollars a month.

I go to one of our local ones. They are pretty good, but they are tightly scheduled for months out and you can sit around for awhile if you have to go in for an emergency.

[SoCalDem]

2. GO.. it's definitely better than not going & possibly getting sicker

even if you just see a nurse, they can at least assess you, and tell you just how sick you are.:hug:

[kentuck]

3. Those are the future of health care.

My wife works at one.