Free testing for uninsured

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
For the roughly 13% of Weston County residents that do not have health insurance, contracting COVID-19, along with the testing and potential loss of work, could be financially debilitating, said Lori Bickford, Weston County’s Public Health nurse. To combat that possibility and with the hopes of giving the uninsured the same access to healthcare and testing, Bickford applied for and secured grant funding to pay for testing and the office visit
associated with it.
“These are a vulnerable population and it needed to be addressed,” Bickford said. “Even if they have the symptoms, or are a contact to a positive case, they may have to choose between what they need or getting a test. How many of us would talk ourselves out of seeking medical attention?”
Bickford secured a grant that is in effect through Dec. 30 that will pay for the costs associated with COVID-19 testing for anyone living in the county who does not have health insurance.
“If they meet the screening requirements and live within Weston County, this grant covers the office visit and test,” Bickford said. “The good thing about it is [that] these agencies will invoice our office and I will reimburse them (either Weston County Health Services or Hometown Medical Clinic).” 
Bickford noted that patients can also be screened at Monument Health in Newcastle/Upton clinics, but that the testing will be performed at either the hospital or Hometown Medical’s clinic.
According to Bickford, the testing and office visit protocol varies depending on which facility one chooses to visit. 
According to WCHS CEO Maureen Cadwell, patients
that need to access testing through this grant will be treated under the same requirement as other patients. 
“The patient needs to have an order from their provider, they will need to call ahead and come to the rear of the facility, the emergency room entrance, staff will put on personal protection equipment and come out to obtain the specimen,” Cadwell said. 
APRN Ashley Tupper, owner of Hometown Medical Clinic, said that anyone who needs to be evaluated at her facility should come to the clinic then call 746-2182 from the parking lot to let someone know they are outside. 
“They will be taken directly back to a room and evaluated by a provider. The patient will be tested for COVID and any other testing that is appropriate will also be performed at no charge,” Tupper said. “If there are other treatable symptoms/illnesses, the patient will receive prescriptions as appropriate to be filled, at the patient’s cost, at a local pharmacy. Hometown Medical Clinic may offer these services to individuals that have no insurance, including children, who exhibit active symptoms of possible COVID which may include, but not be limited to: fever, cough, shortness of breath, congestion, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste/smell or those who are a direct contact to a positive case.” 
Tupper noted that her facility is proud to help with this initiative and provide these services to the community in partnership with Weston County Public Health.