Massachusetts has a fairly unique and closely watched approach to healthcare. With the implementation of the Healthcare Reform Act in 2006, all Massachusetts residents are required to have insurance coverage or face tax penalties. The verdict is still out on this being a viable working model for other states. Although the number of uninsured has decreased by more than 400,000 there are still by some estimates some 200,000 uninsured residents, making the need for free or reduced care clinics not so mush a thing of the past.
Boston Health Net is a delivery network for Massachusetts residents who find themselves in need of health insurance. Boston Health Net provides full medical insurance for those who meet eligibility requirements for Mass Health. Typically an individual making 100% of the state poverty level will receive free care, and reduced rates are offered to those making up to 300% of poverty level. More information can be obtained by calling either BMC CareNet at (800-462-6381) or BMC HealthNet (800-792-4385)
Health Safety Net is a fund for Massachusetts residents not eligible for health insurance or for those who can’t afford it. This fund replaced the Uncompensated Care Pool and its goal is to provide health care to all residents regardless of income. To be eligible you must be a resident of Massachusetts, (immigration status does not effect eligibility) underinsured or uninsured with no other access to affordable insurance. Those with medical bills they cannot pay may also be eligible.
The First Church of Malden
184 Pleasant St.
Malden, MA 02148
Phone: (781) 324-8991
Fax: (781) 324-5911
The Sharewood Project is a free healthcare organization staffed by volunteer physicians and medical students. Sharewood offers unscheduled care to the underserved populations in the Boston area. Located at the First Church of Malden this clinic offers primary care medicine, HIV and STD testing, annual flu shots, and Hep B screening. Nutritional screening, dental exams, and eye exams can also be arranged by appointment. These services are available every Tuesday night from 6:30-9:00 pm. The First Church of Malden is located at the end of Pleasant St. in Malden Ma. Translation services are also available at this location.
Neponset Health Center
398 Neponset Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02122
617-282-3200
Neponset Health Center offers comprehensive primary and preventive health care to anyone in need regardless medical status, ability to pay, or ethnicity. More specifically they offer internal medicine, women’s health (obgyn), pediatrics, behavioral health, social services, and HIV services including primary care and specialty care for HIV patients, labs, X-rays and optometry. They have a food pantry and will assist in applying for free care, Mass Health and other state programs. The staff here speaks several languages including Spanish and Vietnamese. Located off route 93 at Neponset Circle, the center is open 7 days a week with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Mon-Fri 8:30 am-9pm and weekends 9am-6pm.
Codman Square Health Center
637 Washington Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
(617) 825-9660
The Codman Square Center offers comprehensive medical care to the community regardless of ability to pay. Along with services such as primary care, dental care, and vision, this center also offers financial counseling and legal advocacy. There is onsite childcare and the staff is multilingual. You do have to call ahead for medical appointments.
Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) is an antipoverty agency serving over 100,000 residents of greater Boston. ABCD receives and allocates funding for family planning programs in Cambridge, Somerville and Everett. They also have a community based disease prevention program. Free or low-cost birth control and examinations are available to Greater Boston residents at neighborhood health centers, hospital outpatient departments and community health programs. Birth control counseling, reproductive health examinations, pregnancy tests, STD/HIV/AIDS counseling and services, are also available. For more information on ABCD’s Family Planning programs contact:
Deborah Dill
ABCD Boston Family Planning
617.348.6261
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
Jean Yawkey Place
780 Albany Street
Boston, MA 02118
The Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Project is one of the largest and most comprehensive healthcare programs in the nation. The program offers dozens of shelter based clinics on a weekly basis. 3 hospital sites are available where patients can receive access to diagnostic and radiological procedures along with discharge and follow up care. Dental health, behavioral health, HIV/AIDS services, along with family and street outreach programs are just a small sampling of what this program offers. All of the staff at BHCHP is fully credentialed at one or more of Boston’s teaching hospitals. Additionally all of the doctors are on the teaching faculty at Harvard, BU, and Tufts. More information on site locations can be obtained by calling (857-654-1000)
The Greater Boston area covers a lot of territory and there are many more facilities such as these offering healthcare services to the community. A more comprehensive list can be found at www.ahirc.org.
Sources:
www.nytimes.com
www.ahirc.org/cat_list.cfm?cat=31&st;=MA
www.bhchp.org
