MY SON DOES NOT HAVE ANY MEDICAL INSURANCE RIGHT NOW AND I AM WANTING TO FIND A PEDIATRICIAN THAT SEES CHILDREN BASED ON INCOME. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND CAN'T AFFORD THE EXPENSIVE VISITS. aLSO MY SON HAS VERY SERIOUS ASTHMA AND HIS MEDS ARE $300+ A MONTH - IS THERE ANY TYPE OF ASSISTANCE FOR PRESCRIPTIONS? i HAVE TRIED TO GET ASSISTANCE FROM PASCO COUNTY DEPT. OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND CAN NOT. I AM IN WESLEY CHAPEL.
JUST WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE SO MUCH FOR THEIR ADVICE. I AM LOOKING INTO ALL OF YOUR SUGGESTIONS AND WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW WE DO. THANKS AGAIN!
I do not know a lot about these services, but maybe these will be helpful:
My understanding is that Florida has great programs for children of low-income to middle-income families.
Hope this helps!!!
Dear A.,
Look into Florida Healthy Kids (www.healthykids.org) or Kidcare (www.floridakidcare.org) This is a state run insurance for kids whichcan be either free or low cost depending on income. Also I know for a fact that there are patient assistance programs for people who cannot afford their meds. I am a nurse and I fill out these forms on a regular basis. The drug company Merck has a great program and I don't think they verify income (they make Singulair.) Also try this website (www.ashp.org/homecare/asthma-resource.cfm). You can find what meds your son is on and try to apply for the programs. You will need a written prescription and the forms to be filled out by your doctor. I suggest you fill out as much as possible so all he/she has to do is sign at the bottom. The doctor I work for charges for forms to be filled out so if you do all of the work, tyour doctor probably won't charge you. If you try the insurance and your children don't qualify, try "doctor shopping". Call around and see how they base their fees ans see if they give discounts to uninsured people. If your son is ill and you trust your doctor now, I would suggest you stay for contiuity of care. My son's pediatrician is wonderful Dr. Earl Smith ###-###-####) on Armenia Ave in Tampa. He was actually my doctor when I was a kid, and now he treats my son. You could try checking them out. Good Luck.
K.
you may want to check out: floridakidcare.org
you may be able to get him free insurance. i believe it is based on income and is provided by the state.
Try Premier Community Health Group. They have an office in Dade City, and one in Zephyrhills, too. Even though we have insurance, we take our daughter there because the staff is so wonderful. Send me a message if you are interested, and I'll give you the phone number. Good luck to you!
the state provides an insurance for children that is designed just for children who's parent's can't provide insurance. also, here is the number for my pediatrician - call them and see what they can do to help you. It's called Kid Care. Check it out.
Pediatric Partners on St Isabel in Tampa. ###-###-####
They are excellent. I know it's a drive but they really are worth the time it takes to get there.
For the medications, you need to talk with the manufacturers of those medicines. They have special programs just for cases like yours. They will provide the medicine at a lower rate or for free if need be.
