HEALTH CARE RESOURCES

   The topic for the December Resource Training was health care resources. Kristi Manseau from the Department of Workforce Services and Lynn Hudgens from the Mountainlands Community Health Center provided the following information on health resources in our community.

   The Department of Workforce Services offers 26 insurance programs for low income families and individuals. Medicaid and Primary Care Network (PCN) are the most useful to our clients.

   Medicaid is available to low income families, children and seniors (65 years and over), blind or disabled adults, and covers most primary medical and some specialty medical care. Medicaid programs include family medical, newborn, newborn plus, prenatal, prenatal plus baby, transition medical, and aged, blind or disabled

   To qualify for Medicaid, a family or individual must complete an application and meet income limits and asset guidelines. In addition, individuals who are disabled must be receiving Social Security Disability or SSI to qualify for Medicaid coverage. A disabled adult may also qualify for Medicaid if they have applied for Social Security and have been approved by a special medical review board. These programs usually take about 30 days for process.

   Primary Care Network (PCN) is available to low income singles who are not receiving Social Security or SSI. PCN has limited coverage and only provides for very basic medical and dental care. There is a $50.00 (only $15.00 if client is receiving general assistance) yearly fee plus small co-pays for doctor visits and prescriptions. Currently the PCN program is closed to new enrollment due to funding shortages.

   To apply for Medicaid or PCN only, go to the State Department of Health at 150 East Center Street, 3rd Floor, Provo or call (801) 374-7750. To apply for Medicaid or PCN as well as food stamps, general assistance, and/or child care assistance, go to the Department of Workforce Services at 1550 North 200 West, Provo. Eligibility Services can be reached at (801) 356-4060.

   Mountainlands Community Health Center is a federally qualified, community health center. They offer non-urgent medical, dental, and mental health care services on a sliding scale fee basis. The minimum fee for medical is $25.00 and $40.00 for dental. Flexible payment plans are available. No visits or procedures are free. Most of their clients are self paying, uninsured patients, although they do accept patients covered by private health insurance, CHIP, Medicaid and Medicare.

   Patient appointments are available on a first come first serve basis. The health center does not accept walk-in clients, except for the homeless or women in domestic violence situations. They currently have limited space for new patients. Appointments are usually one month out. To qualify or make an appointment, a client needs to call the Center at the numbers listed below.

   Mountainlands Community Health Center is located at 215 West 100 North, Provo. For medical/mental appointments call (801) 374-9660. For dental appointments call (801) 429-2012.