Walgreen Health Clinics Now Free For Unemployed
Walgreen has announced that if you're willing to provide proof of unemployment and sign a form that says you lost your health benefits along with your job, you and your uninsured family members can receive free treatment at any of their 300+ in-store health clinics. What's covered: "respiratory problems, allergies, infections and skin conditions, among other ailments." What's not: checkups, vaccinations or other injections, and prescriptions.
The program will last through the end of 2009, and is offered every weekday between 11am and 3pm. You can find the nearest clinic on this page. If you need cheap meds, check out Walmart's $4 Prescriptions Program to see if your drug is on their cheap list.
"Walgreen giving free care to jobless and uninsured" [Associated Press] (Thanks to Jesse!)
(Photo: simon_music)
Post a comment
Comments:
Oh and that's a really, really sad photo! Too sad!
April fools!
@Eyebrows McGee (on Twitter: LPetelle): Okay, fine, but only because you're in the family way.
...also, it turns out that lolcat pics are really, *really* easy to make.
Bah, damned clinics are way out in the frikkin boonies.
only counts if you lose your job after march 31st.
How does one provide proof of unemployment? Just curious.
Very good. The free market system working in health care, albeit in a very small isolated way. Take care of your customers and they will remember. Seems like Home Depot is trying that approach also.
@blueb: Seriously! It's nice and all, but I wonder how many people it will really be able to use it. Since I'm already unemployed I can't.
Seems to me like this is no different from the "free diagnostics" computer repair deals....Obviously there will be pressure on the employees to push product...
@jstonemo:
CVS has a "minute clinic" in their stores. It's not free, but for the uninsured it's rather cheep. AND it's open on weekends, so if you come down w strep, pink eye, etc. you can just walk right in and see a nurse in usually under an hour. They also take most insurance, and while mine wasn't on their list yet, they'll even print you out an "out of network claim form" for you to send in.
/Pink eye be gone!
@batsy:
the unemployment office will give you some forms that prove you are applying for unemployment benefits. I'm assuming they verify employment status before completing the application. You can also get wage inquiries that show work history, and a good HR department will give you a letter stating your last day of employment, end of benefits, etc.
@Chris Walters: BAWWWWCats I think.
Believe me, I've seen sadder cat pics than this one. Let's just say the caption was "I has a hurt." I'm not a cat person but honestly that just made me want to cry. :(
The Kenny Glenn/Dusty "HALP" pic was sad too but awesome for the results it produced.
These places are usually staffed by nurse practitioners. I don't want to denigrate the nurse practitioner call of duty, but I'd save any possibly severe maladies for an M.D or D.O. Again, I can't stress how important nurses are (one saved my life once), but for acute diagnostics of something that may be serious, I'd opt for waiting a few hours in the ER.
@aedude01: I was at the MinuteClinic yesterday for an ear infection. :) They indeed do accept insurance. $15 co-pay for me. Cheaper than an urgent care copay ($50 for me), and a LOT quicker, plus they are always super nice.
@Chris Walters: Thank you. It looked way too much like my cat we had put to sleep in the fall. (Right after we found out I was in the family way, in fact.)
He's cuter looking for generics.
There are tons of restrictions on this program though. Besides the limited hours, you actually have to apply and show eligibility, which can take up to 21 days. So don't wait until you are actually sick, sign up beforehand.
Just what I was thinking. Not bad on the whole, but definitely be wary of what they say you have or what you need to purchase to feel better.
@Kaellorian: Definitely. I got a stress fracture in my foot and a nurse told me it wasn't a fracture, and that I should just take Ibuprofen for it. Turns out it was a fracture, and Ibuprofen prolongs the healing time for small fractures. Nurses are wonderful, but sometimes the ER or an MD is your better bet.
My wife and I already tested the service for everyone (the for pay, not the free). Basically, what you get is a nurse who comes out and says she will be right with you, then ignores you for an hour or until you decide walk out and try the urgent care.
Just a note to the Consumerist folks that Target pharmacy has the same $4 drug list that Wal*Mart does.
Please read the fine print though! You have to have ALREADY been a patient of Wal Greens and you have to have lost your job AFTER March 31st! Plus the documentation you have to give them is ridiculous.
So covered items are:
"respiratory problems, allergies, infections and skin conditions, among other ailments."
This sounds like one of those extended auto warranty programs they sell.
"Well sir, the good news is that your warranty covered 100% of the 6 $.29 cent bolts used to hold the tranny together... now there is just the matter of the $1250.00 for the transmission and the labor..."
My cell phone is ringing...it's Walgreensbot notifying me that my health insurance is about to expire....
@Kaellorian: An NP is more than a nurse. Many clinics and even private practices are staffed by NP's.
MD's are quite capable of making mistakes as well. What kills me is that we have a private company reaching out to help people and all anyone can do is complain.
THAT is what is wrong with the U.S. NOTHING is ever good enough, even when it's free. It's a disgrace.
I'm technically employed...however, I don't make enough to survive. Does this count? But in any case, I'm not going to the health clinic. I still have insurance, and no medical problems.