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NYC Healthcare Options for the Uninsured

These days, there are far too many young folks that are living without an HMO. According to a recent report by the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation that aims to promote a high performing health care system that achieves better access, there were 13.7 million Americans aged 19 to 29 went without health insurance in 2006. For those of us that are hoping to avoid any major accidents until you score a job with health benefits, or at least until you can purchase health insurance on your own, here are a few resources in New York City that will help you stay healthy.

THE NEW YORK CITY FREE CLINIC

This is probably the most comprehensive health insurance option for uninsured New Yorkers over the age of 18. Unlike other free health clinics or insurance plans, income is not a factor at The New York City Free Clinic. The clinic is run by NYC medical students, who practice under the direct supervision of a senior physician. Patients are offered free medical exams, medications, diagnostic imaging and laboratory services, and health promotion workshops.

Appointments, which are one to two hours total (including waiting time) are all free of charge. This includes a specialty referral care at Bellevue Hospital Center. The only cost you can expect to pay is $15 or $40 - if you require medicine. One thing to note, however, is that the New York City Free Clinic does not pay for emergency room visits or overnight stays in the hospital. The good news is, appointments currently are held every Saturday between 9 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., so if you work a typical 9 to 5, you don’t have to take the day off to visit the doc.

To make an appointment call: 212-206-5200.

Get There: The Sidney Hillman Health Center is on 16th St. between Fifth Avenue and Union Square Park (Broadway). Subway: Take the 4,5,6,N,R,Q,W or L trains to 14th Street Union Square Station or F train to 14th St. and 6th Avenue

WALTON FAMILY HEALTH CENTER

For all you cats Uptown or in the Bronx, The Walton Family Health Center, a sister operation to the New York City Free Clinic, is probably the right place for you. In addition to primary medical care and mental health/substance abuse services, Walton offers dental care for its patients. The facility’s comprehensive dental care offerings include exams and cleaning, bridges and crowns, implants, oral surgery, gum therapy and health education. Walton accepts Medicaid and some insurance plans. Payment is determined on a sliding scale. While some walk ins are accepted, it is best to make an appointment. Currently, appointments are only available on Saturday mornings.

To make an appointment call: 718-583-3060.

Get There: 1894 Walton Avenue Subway: Take the # 4 (Jerome Ave train) to 176 St. or
C or D trains (Grand Concourse) to 176 St..

METRO PLUS

If you are really broke, or between jobs, Metro Plus is probably your best health care option. Metro offers a wide variety of health insurance plans for low income New York City residents. To qualify for free health coverage, you must be a single adult who makes less than $851 a month. Eligibility varies for those who are married or have children. Click here to see if you qualify.

If you are eligible for Metro Plus health coverage, a search engine on their site helps you locate a specialist, general practitioner, dentist or a pharmacy close to home (or work). The Metro Plus Web site, also offers a plethora of information on High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), Cold and flu prevention and care, Managing Diabetes and Post-Partum Care.

For more information call: 212-908-8600

Get There: 160 Water Street - 3rd Floor New York, NY 10038 Subway: Take the 2 or 3 train to Wall Street

PARK MED

For women with gynecological needs (all of us) Park Med could be your answer. This clinic - which has been around since 1971 - is staffed with gynos, anesthesiologists, counselors, social workers, and nurses. It may take a while to be seen by a doctor, but that is a given for most clinics. And to be fair, the one time I went to Park Med for a check up, the doctor said my two hour wait was unusually long because of the rain (apparently more women show up to doctors appointments when it is wet outside - who knew?).

Park Med offers free pregnancy tests from Tuesday through Saturday.

To make an appointment call: 212-626-6066

Get There: Directions Park Med is located at 42^nd street and Second Avenue Subway To get there, take the 4,5,6,7,S and Metro North to Grand Central Station.

FREE STD TESTING

Wondering if you are STD free? Then take your behind to get tested. With the abundance of free STD clinics scattered throughout NYC, you have no excuse to not know your status. Most of the free clinics are walk in only, and open between 8:40 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Here is a list of testing centers in every area.

MANHATTAN AND THE BRONX

• Central Harlem - 212.690.1760 - 2238 Fifth Avenue (137th Street)

• East Harlem - 212.360.5962 - 158 East 115th Street (off Lexington Avenue)

• Chelsea (Also open Saturday from 9 to 2) - 212.239.1718/0843 - 303 Ninth Avenue (28th Street)

• Riverside - 212.865.7757 -160 West 100th Street (between Columbus/Amsterdam)

• Morrisania (Also open Saturday from 8:30 to 1:30) - 718.579.7714 - 1309 Fulton Avenue (E 169th Street off 3rd Ave)

STATEN ISLAND

• Richmond - 718.420.4494/5 - 51 Stuyvesant Place (Wall Street)

BROOKLYN

• Crown Heights - 718.735.0580 - 1218 Prospect Place, 2nd Flr. (Troy Ave.)

• Fort Greene (Also open Saturday from 8:30 to 1:30) - 718.643.4133 - 295 Flatbush Ave. Ext. 5th Flr.

• Bedford-Stuyvesant - 718.574.2462/3 -485 Throop Ave.

QUEENS

• Corona - 718.476.7815 - 34-33 Junction Blvd.

• Jamaica (Also Open Saturday from 8:30 to 1:30) - (718) 262-5572 - 90-37 Parsons Blvd. 1st Flr. (off Jamacia Ave.)

• Rockaway - 718.945.7150 - 67-19 Rockaway Blvd.