A real-life friend who has also completed her Peace Corps medical packet asked me to go into detail about how I was able to get all of my medical labs, my examinations and most of my immunizations done at no cost. Though I already discussed this in a previous post, she wanted me to go more into depth for people who may be in my certain situation (little to no insurance/benefits, low-paying job).
I don't get sick often, and have relatively good health, but not having insurance still sucks. Especially when you are trying to complete the Peace Corps Medical Kit.
After looking at some of my options, such as Econo Lab, LabCorps and the OSU Clinic, all of which required me to sell plasma in order to pay upwards of $500 dollars to run the required Peace Corps labs, I decided to check out the Columbus Neighborhood Health Center. I had been searching the internet for low-cost clinics, and after being scared away by the Free Clinic's process, I decided to give the Columbus Neighborhood Health Center a go.
When I called, there was an automated message stating that 24 people were ahead of me, and it offered to call me back (somehow). Since I don't trust the machines, I just waited on the line for about 15 minutes and I got through.
The receptionist was extremely nice and cordial. She explained that if I did not have insurance, they would measure my income and pro-rate my costs based on their sliding fee scale. After hearing that, I scheduled an appointment, and she told me to bring in 1. my most recent pay stub, 2. my identification, and 3. new patient forms .
A month later, I went in for my appointment, and the receptionist was suprised that I'd already filled out the forms and had everything ready. She took my pay stubs, calculated everything and then told me that my co-pay would be $30 every time I came to be seen, and that all labs/diagnostics done onsite would be included in that cost.
After my appointment, they sent me a bill for $30, so I took it back to the clinic with my Peace Corps reimbursement form and they told me that as long as I showed them the reimbursement form every time I was seen, I would not be charged any upfront costs.
So, as I stated before -- if you have no insurance, or need labs at a low cost, please check out a local low-cost clinic.
Speaking of all this medical kit razamatazz: I sent off my dental exam separate from my phsyical packet in the begining of May. After not hearing for three weeks, I sent a quick e-mail to OMS asking if they received my packet. This was the response:
"Dear Future Diplo,Thank you for your email. I am happy to confirm that we have received your dental exam. I believe this should be reflected in MyToolkit, but since the Office of Medical Services has no access to MyToolkit, I am not 100% sure that it updates upon receipt of dental. However, I know that MyToolkit will update you when we receive your medical packet. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any further questions or concerns.Best, Pre-Service Unit"
So, yay? Yep, yay! I am really happy that I at least made it past one of the first hurdles (getting the dental done, and for free). Thank goodness I have friends who have done this process before and Peace Corps Wiki to help me out!
All of my records are ready to be picked up from the clinic I used for my physical, but I am still waiting on my eye examination on June 29th and my polio vaccination. Then it's FEDEX and off to medical clearance (hopefully)!
