Medical Insurance for Low Income (Prepared by Mr. P, April 2009) For those who are loosing their medical insurance or don't have medical insurance. You may qualify for County Medically Indigent Adult Services (for adults 21 and older) or Medi-Cal (children, mothers and disabled). These programs often cover meds you may already be on. If you would like to apply in your area, it is usually best to call or go to your local County Hospital or County Mental Health Facility and have them conduct you through the system. Listed below is health information and clinics for each local county. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but should get you started finding health care in your area. I have listed County Public Health Departments also, because so many counties have multiple programs and you may find other programs that fit your situation better. Some also offer dental help or address specific health conditions. So check around! Also included is 211 information for each county, so you can find other things like food, housing, etc. LOS ANGELES Los Angeles County LA County Health Insurance - has Free and Low-Cost Health Services If you need medical services, they are available at public and private clinics, hospitals and many other locations and can be provided at no cost depending on your income. Medical services, including tests and prescriptions, are provided on an ability-to-pay basis. Call for more information, or go to their website 1-800-427-8700 http://www.dhs.co.la.ca.us Guide to Free and Low Cost Health Care Services - downloadable file http://dpss.lacounty.gov/dpss/wgyc/default.cfm
Free Clinics About Community and Free Clinics http://www.ccalac.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3302 Mental Health Services in Los Angeles The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) directly operates more than 50 program sites throughout the County, and contracts with over 1,100 other providers, including non-governmental agencies and individual practitioners. We provide a diverse spectrum of mental health services to all ages, including mental health assessments, crisis intervention, case management, and medication support in both residential and outpatient settings. For free, confidential mental health information, referrals to service providers, and crisis counseling at any day or time, call our 24/7 ACCESS CENTER at 1-800-854-7771. 211 LA County Resources Online - Free http://www.infoline-la.org/ ORANGE COUNTY Orange County Orange Countys public health system is not very clear to me, so I have included phone numbers where you can call to find out more about how the system works. http://www.ochealthinfo.com/public/clinics.htm There are special programs for kids under 19 years of age. For help finding safe, appropriate and low-cost healthcare services in your area, please call the Health Referral Line (800) 564-8448 Behavioral Health clinics http://ochealthinfo.com/behavioral/amhs/clinics.htm
For more info on Behavioral health Health Care Agency Office of Quality Management 405 W. 5th Street, Suite 458 Santa Ana, CA 92701 Information/Technical Support (714) 834-3166 211 OC County Resources Online - Free RIVERSIDE COUNTY Riverside County Medically Indigent Services Program (MISP) (951) 486-5375 http://www.rcrmc.org/patients/misp.html Public Health Department Community Outreach Department of Public Health (951) 358-5255 or (951) 358-5000 Community Outreach has made a commitment to enrich our communities by providing services and programs to the residents of Riverside County. Through annual health fairs, Flu clinics, volunteer opportunities, interactive employee events and an array of other activities, we truly are more than your average department! Behavioral Health http://mentalhealth.co.riverside.ca.us/opencms/english/help/adult.html 211 Riverside County Resources Online - Free http://www.211riversidecounty.org/client/informriverside/
SAN DIEGO COUNTY San Diego County County Health Programs http://www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/programservices.asp?programid=4 Download list at: www.co.san-diego.ca.us/cnty/bos/sup2/help/ healthclinics.pdf Behavioral Health http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/programs/bhs/ mental_health_services_adult_older_adult/ outpatient_mental_health_centers.html 211 San Diego County Resources Online - Free http://www.211sandiego.org/home.aspx SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY San Bernardino County SB County Medical Services Program (CMSP) http://www.cmspcounties.org/counties/eligibility_manual.html SB County Clinics and their services www.sbcms.org/news/low%20cost%20clinics.pdf http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/pubhlth/ph_divisions/ public_health_clinics/public_health_clinics.htm Behavioral Health SB Outpatient Programs http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/dbh/outpatientservices/ outpatientservices.asp# (909) 381-2420, 1(888) 743-1478
211 San Bernardino Resources online - Free http://www.211sb.com/ SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Southern California List of Free Clinics by City http://www.harp.org/clinics.htm STATE OF CALIFORNIA State of California Medi-Cal - Free to low income mothers and children, and low income disabled. If you are disabled but over the income limit, you may qualify for their program that allows you to work a few hours a month to get your Medi- Cal for a small monthly fee and co-pays. (I know strange program, but ask about it.) How to apply - http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/pages/default.aspx Scroll down to the blue bar that says "individuals". Healthy Families - $4 $15 per child, per month. For children under the age of 19 from low-income and working families, Pregnant women. http://www.healthyfamilies.ca.gov/home/default.aspx CalWORKs is a welfare program that gives cash aid and services to eligible needy California families. The program serves all 58 counties in the state and is operated locally by county welfare departments. If a family has little or no cash and needs housing, food, utilities, clothing or medical care, they may be eligible to receive immediate short-term help. Families that apply and qualify for ongoing assistance receive money each month to help pay for housing, food and other necessary expenses. Eligibility info http://www.ladpss.org/dpss/calworks/eligibility.cfm