Links to Care for the Underserved
The purpose of this Links to Care for the Underserved is to provide information for patients and clinicians on the resources available locally and nationally, for those in need of assistance for the following health and social service issues, with additional attention to migrant health specific resources:
- Children
Links to assistance for critically ill, physically challenged or abused children and their families. - Continuity of Care and Medical Records Transfer for Mobile, Underserved Patients
Information on the MCN Health Network: a free and simple program that can be used in Migrant and Community Health Centers, Health Departments and by private practice clinicians, to assist clinicians with the transfer of medical records between providers of mobile patients to maintain updated records, as well as providing the patients with bridge case management and assistance accessing services whenever they move. - Dental
Information on free dental screenings and check ups for needy children across the USA, a searchable database of dentists by state or zip code, and a list of low-cost and free dental clinics and dental services for elderly, disabled and medically compromised adults. - Health Departments, Low-Cost Migrant and Community HEalth Centers, & Hospitals
Lists of Health Departments, free and low cost clinics, health centers and hospitals around the country, as well as a directory of Migrant Health Centers in the USA. - HIV/AIDS
Resources for HIV/AIDS related hotlines, web sites, Federal agencies, national organizations, treatment assistance programs and clinics, and information for providers on culturally competent HIV care. - Housing
Links to searchable Nationwide Housing Authority Listings including low income, section 8 housing & housing grants, as well as population-specific information on housing for colonias, Native Americans, farmworkers, senior citizens and people with disabilities. - Legal Services
Links to agencies working in issues of protection and advocacy, equal employment opportunities, the US Living Will Registry, and Social Security Claims. - Medical Supplies
Resources for those in need of free or low cost medical related equipment including wheelchairs, scooters, bathtub rails, crutches, etc. - Mental Health
Links to various organizations and hotlines that offer assistance in the areas of mental health, suicide crises, eating disorders, family planning, substance abuse, and youth services. - Migrant Education
Information and links to organizations assisting with access to Head Start, scholarships, financial support, high school equivalency programs, and higher education opportunities for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their children. - Rx (Prescription) Assistance/Pharmaceuticals
Links to various patient and prescription assistance programs with application services online, over the phone and through the mail. - Social Services
Links to food banks across the nation, food stamp programs, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid, and a directory of social work and social service web sites. - Transportation
Information on various national and international programs providing emergency and non-emergency medical transportation for those who cannot otherwise afford or provide transportation to needed medical visits and procedures. - Vision
Links to programs providing underserved babies, children and adults, free or low cost eye exams and following treatments needed, as well as assistance for eye surgery, eye care and eye glasses.
In order to provide you with complete and thorough information, please contact Andrea Caracostis, MD, MPH, MCN Referral Systems Specialist, if there are additional resources that you feel should be added to this list!
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Angel Flight
Offers free air transportation to medical treatment if patient is unable to find own transportation. Patient must be medically stable.
Center for Medicare and Medicaid
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a Federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Programs for which CMS is responsible include Medicare, Medicaid, State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), HIPAA, and CLIA.
Chariots of Hope
A chariot of Hope, a nonprofit organization, has been established for the purpose of collecting used wheelchairs. The donated wheelchairs are then repaired and distributed, at no cost to the recipient, to those in need
FreedoMed - Toll Free: 1-888-722-7556
Medical supply company, that provides low cost or totally free diabetic supplies to diabetics who are eligible through Medicare or private insurance.
Make A Wish Foundation
Wishes of critically ill children are granted through this program. Child must be between the ages of 2½ -18 years.
National Patient Air Transport Helpline - 800.296.1217
The National Patient Travel Helpline provides information about all forms of charitable, long-distance medical air transportation and provides referrals to all appropriate sources of help available in the national charitable medical air transportation network.
National Patient Travel Center
PatientTravel.org is the Web site for the National Patient Travel Center, providing services to those seeking a way to travel long-distances for specialized medical evaluations, diagnosis and treatment. Call or email mercymedical@erols.com.
Protection and Advocacy, Inc.
Protection and Advocacy, Inc. provides an array of information and referral and advocacy services for people from traditionally under-served communities and publishes manuals, memos and handouts on topics that affect individuals with disabilities and their families
Relief for Life
Description: Relief For Life is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping the disabled individuals by supplying wheelchairs and other ambulatory aides and devices to improve their lifestyle. Our mission of enabling disabled individuals to lead fuller lives is really all about empowering people so that they may live with a degree of satisfaction and dignity.
Starlight Children's Foundation
Starlight Children's Foundation focuses on improving the quality of life for seriously-ill children and their families. In-hospital and out-patient programs and serivces are available.