With the introduction of the Affordable Care Act, health care is changing. Medical care will become more accessible to some of the previously uninsured or under-insured residents of our community. Still, there will always be a need for free or low-cost medical services and prescription medication. The towns of Bloomington and Normal have banded together with McLean County to provide the patients in our community with access to primary care physicians, pregnancy services, dental care, counseling, social services and prescription medication, to name a few. Finding out where to go and when to go there, has always been the challenge. Here in one convenient place, is a guide to some of what Bloomington/Normal has to offer.
OVERVIEW
The Bloomington/Normal area is extremely fortunate when it comes to accessing affordable health care options. The clinics are staffed with caring medical professionals and all of them are focused on prevention and wellness. Every one of the people I spoke with was more than happy to take time out of their busy day to provide me with informational hand-outs and brochures. Some of the buildings look a little run-down on the outside, but inside you will find everything is running smoothly. If anyone is in a position to give back to the community, some of the clinics appreciate volunteers, and all off them encourage monetary donations to their sponsoring organizations.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
All of the clinics are on a BNPTS bus route and buses run approximately every half hour. If you are traveling by car, parking can be a bit tricky. The Community Health Care Clinic has, by far, the most easily accessible parking lot and it has ample parking spaces. Next is the BroMenn Family Clinic, which is in the Physicians Office Building ll, on the BroMenn Hospital Campus. You can park in Lot #6 if it is not full, or in the parking deck. You will have a little bit of a walk to get from your parking space into the actual clinic. Chestnut Family Health Center is on a narrow street and there is no parking in front of the building. You can park across the the street in the parking lot on N. Mason Street and walk to the clinic from there.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN APPOINTMENT?
In general, the wait time for your first appointment is about 2-3 weeks, which is similar to the time it would take to be seen for a routine exam in almost any doctor's office. The paperwork required by each clinic is something that can slow the process down quite a bit. The faster the required paperwork and supplemental documents are turned in, the faster the appointment can be scheduled. Once you have become an established patient, if you need to see the health care provider for a more urgent problem, all of the clinics will work with you to figure out a solution.
COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE CLINIC
902 Franklin Avenue
Normal, IL 61761
Phone: (309) 888-5531
Mission Statement
The Community Health Care Clinic is a non-profit organization supported entirely by the residents of McLean County whose purpose is "to provide healthcare to those individuals who otherwise do not have access to affordable health services."
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a resident of McLean County
- Not eligible for a Public Aid Medical Card
- Not have access to health insurance
- Not qualify for Veteran's Benefits, Medicare, Disability or Kid Care
- Meet income guidelines of the clinic (<185% of Federal Poverty Guidelines)
*Patients must show proof related to any or all of the above
Applying to the Clinic
- Those interested in becoming a patient need to pick up an application
- Applications must be complete with necessary information
- Failure to provide needed documentation will delay the application process
- Once complete, it usually takes 2-3 weeks to get in for an appointment
- An applicant can usually be accommodated if the need is urgent and/or if referred
Medications
You must be an ESTABLISHED PATIENT in order to receive medications
Patients are asked for a $5.00 donation for each medication dispensed.
Hours of Operation
Monday-Thursday 8:30am - 5:00pm
Fridays 8:30am - Noon
Closed daily between 12:30pm - 1:30pm
CHESTNUT FAMILY HEALTH CENTER
702 W. Chestnut Street
Bloomington, IL 60701
Phone: (309) 557-1400
http://chestnut.org/HealthCenter
Mission Statement
Chestnut Family Health Center is committed to delivering comprehensive, high quality, personal care to their patients. The Center is a program of Chestnut Health Systems, which has been providing services in the community since the early 1970's. All of the physicians, physicians assistants and advanced practice nurses are licensed and dedicated to providing medical care which is specifically tailored to the needs of clinic patients and their families. The clinic focuses on preventative medicine and they encourage annual physical exams, gynecological care, immunization updates and cancer screenings. Services are performed and managed by a medical professional in collaboration with other health professionals and they utilize consultation or referrals as necessary. "We strive to promote effective communication with patients and encourage the role of the patient as a partner in healthcare."
Eligibility Requirements
Chestnut Family Health Center is a community-based health center. Forms of payment include: Medicaid, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Health Alliance and Country Healthcare. They ask that patients bring a current medical card to each visit and they will bill Medicaid directly.
Access to a sliding fee schedule for patients who do not have an active Medicaid card or are participating in another approved Chestnut program is available. Chestnut's financial intake staff are happy to meet and review eligibility requirements and establish a sliding fee rate if appropriate.
Services
- Annual Wellness Exams
- Well Child Exams
- School/Sports Physicals
- Employment Physicals
Disease Management and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Illnesses
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Heart Disease
- Thyroid
- Infections
- Sprains/Strains
- Allergies
- Pap Tests and Contraceptive Counseling
Laboratory
Some laboratory services are offered on-site including blood draws. These services may be performed during the visit or by appointment when ordered by a Center provider.
Care Coordinator
A care coordinator is available to assist in obtaining health care and access to other community services.
Hours of Operation
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 7:00pm
ADVOCATE BROMENN FAMILY HEALTH CLINIC
1300 Franklin Avenue
Suite 100
Normal, IL 61761
Phone: (309) 268-3761
http://advocatehealth.com/bromenn/bromennfamilyhealthclinic
Mission Statement
"Advocate BroMenn Family Health Clinic specializes in meeting your family's health needs. We provide a comprehensive continuum of high-quality care, emphasizing education and what is current in the world of medicine."
"Our healthcare providers share a common goal of learning new skills and techniques from each other to provided services that meet the medical demands of our community. From common colds and minor injuries, to physicals and geriatric medicine, our team is here to ensure comprehensive medical care for the entire family."
Eligibility Requirements
Advocate BroMenn Family Health Clinic accepts cash, checks or major credit cards, as well as a variety of insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Health Alliance
Services
- Diagnosis and treatment of acute or chronic illness
- Routine physicals
- Gynecological exams
- Infant and childhood immunizations
- Treatment of minor injuries
- Minor office surgical procedures
- Laboratory services
- Vision and hearing testing
- EKG's
- Spirometry
Hours of Operation
Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 3:00pm
JOHN M. SCOTT HEALTH RESOURCES CENTER
607 Gridley Street
Suite C
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 823-4224
http://www.cityblm.org/index.aspx?page=175
John M. Scott
Former Chief Justice, Illinois Supreme Court
In 1981, the City of Bloomington became Trustees to $5.4 million designated for a Health Resources Center. A commission, consisting of representatives from local hospitals, nurses, physicians, dentists, optometrists, the Health Department, the Township, Second Presbyterian Church, United Way, and Community Action Inc., was appointed by the Trustees.
"Funding for all programs and services comes from investment revenue. The Center is NOT tax-supported."
Mission Statement
"John M. Scott Health Resources Center will provide health education, information, and referral services for financially needy individuals. The Center will accomplish this by providing direct help to clients and grants in aid to providers of medical services. The scope of the health services provided may include purchase of care for individuals or grants in aid for community agencies, but will not duplicate or supplant services available through other agencies or payment sources."
Our Purpose
"The purpose of this trust is to provide selected health care services for medically indigent persons residing in McLean County. The scope of the health care services provided may include purchase of care for individuals or grants in aid for community agencies, but will not duplicate or supplant services available through other agencies or payment sources."
Eligibility Requirements
- lived in McLean County for at least four months with the intent to establish residency; or
- a resident of McLean County for at least one year
-
transients requiring assistance due to an illness or accident
Unless qualified as stated above, university or college students may not be applicants. Living in McLean County for the sole purpose of attending school shall not be sufficient reason to establish residency or the intent to establish residency.
Financial assets must be less than $1,000 per person, up to a maximum of $2,000 per household.
Special Programs
The John M. Scott Health Center provides a number of specialized programs to assist medically indigent residents of McLean County.
Prescription Medicine Fund
If you have a limited income and limited assets, and need help paying for medicine, you should contact the Center for an appointment. The Prescription Medicine program guidelines are:
- Financial assistance for some prescription medicines for persons lacking insurance or other third-party payment source
- Clients are required to make co-payments based on their income
- Co-payments are $5.00 for each prescription
- The prescription program uses an approved formulary
Medical Office Visits
If qualified, two visits per person per fiscal year may be paid. However, all office visits must be approved before services are received. Clients are required to make co-payments of $4.00 or $6.00 per visit, based on household income.
Indigent Patient Fund
The Center can provide help in paying for the following health services when not available through other organizations. There is an annual maximum per individual/household and co-payments of $4.00 or $6.00 for:
- Dental Services
- Physician Services
- Medical Equipment & Supplies, when ordered by a physician
- Mental Health Medications
This is separate from the prescription medicine program.
Other Programs and Services
Information and Referral Services
Information and referrals are provided on available health care services for medically indigent persons.
Maternal/Child Health Transportation
This program provides safe, reliable transportation for pregnant women, sick children and cancer patients to medical appointments. Volunteers drive the van which has been donated to Scott Health Resources for this program. The van is equipped with appropriate child restraints.
Advance reservations are required; please call Scott Health Resources to schedule your request at least 24 hours in advance.
McLean County Eye Referral Network for Medicaid Patients
Adults and children with Medicaid are referred to a participating Vision Care provider for exams. When glasses are prescribed, frame selection appointments are scheduled at Scott Health Resources. This program was initiated on February 1, 2005.
Hours of Operation
8:00am - 12:00pm
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Please call for an appointment
MCLEAN COUNTY CENTER FOR HUMAN SERVICES
108 W. Market Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 827-5351
Mission Statement
The Center for Human Services exists to assist persons in McLean County who are in need of mental health treatment. The Center provides community-based mental health services in the least restrictive setting. The Center's services are available to anyone in McLean County, but are prioritized to those with the greatest need and fewest resources. Every effort is made to remove financial barriers. The Center safeguards client rights by treating all individuals with dignity and respect and by protecting confidentiality as defined by law.
Since 1927, the Center for Human Services has been a not-for-profit social service organization governed by a Board of Directors composed of residents of McLean County. The Board sets policy and direction and employs an Executive Director to administer the affairs of the organization. The Center employs qualified staff with diverse, yet complimentary backgrounds. The staff includes professionals trained in psychology, social work, and psychiatric nursing. The Center also retains licensed psychiatrists.
Services
Services are provided in office and in the community.
24-Hour Crisis Team
The Crisis team provides quick, on-site counseling and evaluation to individuals in crisis situations. Team members travel to all parts of McLean County and function as a mobile crisis unit. The Crisis Team is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Team members work closely with law enforcement agencies, emergency room personnel, and other social service agencies. The Team also assesses the need for psychiatric hospitalization. One goal of the program is to intervene, stabilize, and arrange for appropriate services so that unnecessary hospitalization can be avoided.
Youth Counseling
Children and teens with emotional and behavioral problems, as well as victims of abuse, are served in this program. Trained therapists work with youths and their families to help them cope more effectively. The program emphasizes family involvement and works toward improving parent/child relationships.
Adult Counseling
Individual counseling is offered to help adults adjust to, or overcome, their emotional problems. Services are solution-oriented with the goal of helping people reach their established goals in as brief a period of time as possible.
Recovery Services
The Recovery Services Program offers adults with mental illness a comprehensive array of services focusing on individual recovery. An individualized treatment plan for recovery is developed with each person receiving services. Services can include classes and activities covering psychiatric rehabilitation, skill development, socialization and community resource development. Outreach-oriented services which are strengths-based and provided at a variable level of intensity based upon individual needs are used to help a person reach their highest level of functioning. Assistance is provided to build natural supports in the community. All of these services lead to the goal of assisting persons with mental illness to achieve self-sufficiency and maintain community living.
Medical Services
Medical staff are available to provide evaluation and treatment for Center clients in need of psychiatric care. Assistance is given by nursing staff to provide services including medication monitoring and client education.
Fees
Fees for Center services are set on a sliding scale based upon individual income and/or family income. No one will be denied services based upon the inability to pay. Insurance and third-party payers will be exhausted before public aid can be applied to services. Funding is provided in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services. Additional funding is provided through different local, state and federal sources as well as charitable donations.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday
McLean County Health Department
200 West Front Street
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 888-5450
http://mcleancountyil.gov/health
Overview
The McLean County Health Department offers multiple clinics and community programs free or at a very reduced cost. The Health Department has a clinic for Childhood Immunizations and one for Tuberculosis testing. The W.I.C Program runs out of an office on the first floor, and around the corner is the clinic for STD Testing. For this article, I will focus on the Dental Clinic which is now very excited to have a pediatric dentist on-site every Monday through Thursday, and an adult dentist every Friday morning.
Mission Statement
The purpose of the McLean County Health Department is to fulfill the public interest in assuring conditions conducive to good health and providing leadership in promoting the health of county residents by:
- Assessing and analyzing health conditions
- Assuring access to personal health care services
- Conducting programs in accordance with Illinois Department of Public Health certification standards for local health departments
- Coordinating and planning with other entities for a comprehensive community health system
- Developing local health policies
- Enforcing state laws and local ordinances pertaining to health where applicable
- Minimizing the adverse impact of diseases and disabilities
- Preventing and controlling disease through health promotion, early intervention, and health protection
Dental Clinic
The McLean County Health Department provides a dental clinic to ensure the oral health of eligible children and adults.
Eligibility Requirements
Clients must meet financial requirements and be residents of McLean County. Out of pocket fees are based on current Public Aid reimbursement rates. Bloomington or Normal Township vouchers, Illinois Public Aid and AllKids medical cards are accepted. If an appointment is not cancelled at least 24 hours in advance, a $10 missed appointment fee may be charged.
Services for Children
- Exams
- Fluoride Treatments
- Cleanings
- Fillings
- Dental Sealants
- Preventative Education
Services for Adults*
- Exams
- Fillings
- X-Rays
- Extractions
- Preventative Education
*Adult Dental Clinic services are limited to pain control measures
Hours of Operation
Children Monday - Thursday
Adults - Friday am
Services are provided by appointment only
Call (309) 888-5479 to schedule
Works Cited
Advocate BroMenn Medical Center. Family Health Clinic. N.p.: n.p., [c. 2013?]. Print.
BNPTS. Bloomington Normal Transit System, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. <http://connect-transit.com>.
Chestnut Family Health Center. Chestnut Family Health Center. N.p.: n.p., [c.2012]. Print.
CivicPlus Content Management System, ed. McLean County Health Department. McLean County Health, IL, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2014. <http://health.mcleancountyil.gov/>.
Community Health Care Clinic. Community Health Care Clinic. N.p.: n.p., [c.2005?]. Print.
"John M. Scott Health Resources Center." City of Bloomington, Illinois. Ed. Vision Internet. Bloomington, IL, 2012. Web. 3 Mar. 2014. <http://www.cityblm.org/index.aspx?page=175>.
John M. Scott Health Resources Center. John Milton Scott. [c.1892?]. Photograph.
McLean County Center for Human Services. McLean County Center for Human Services, n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2014. <http://mcchs.org/wordpress/>.
