Rides available to free clinic

When someone doesn’t have any form of health insurance it can be difficult to remain healthy. The costs of doctor’s visits, not to mention prescriptions or any kind of health screenings may be way beyond what a person can afford, so they are forced to skip even the most basic healthcare.

Through a generous grant from the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming, Heart Mountain Free Clinic will be extending its services for those in Hot Springs County that do not have health insurance.

Their free services include basic health care for both adults and children, basic laboratory and x-ray services, some prescriptions, referrals and preventive care and screenings, all at no cost.

All you have to do is make your appointment, then call the Senior Center and they will provide transportation to your appointment. Be sure to let the Clinic know you are coming from Thermopolis and they will make your appointment on the appropriate day to use the Senior bus, generally the third Thursday of the month.

The Clinic does not take ER patients and they do not do any surgical procedures.

There are some eligibility requirements that include patients must be without any form of insurance, including no Medicare, Medicaid, Worker’s Compensation or any private health insurance like Blue Cross, Blue Shield or the government’s Marketplace insurance.

You must have a household income of $24,980 or less per year for a single person and for each additional household member the income level increases by $8,840, and you must live in the Big Horn Basin. Eligible counties include Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie.

Patients must bring a driver’s license, passport, birth certificate or a picture ID along with proof of residency or employment in the Big Horn Basin.

Those may include a photo ID with your current address, lease, mortgage, utility bill in your name, rent slip, school registration and even voter registration will work.

In order to prove your income eligibility you will need one of the following, too. Last year’s tax return, two current paycheck stubs, verification of unemployment, worker’s compensation or disability benefits. Be sure to bring along all sources of income including social security, pensions, VA benefits, food stamps, child support or alimony.

To find out more about the Heart Mountain Free Clinic you may check out their website at hmvmc.org or give them a call at 307-272-1753.