"building the capacity of public media and technology organizations"
Health Resources
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/refugee/immigrant/accessmodels.... Links to numerous free of reduced cost Twin Cities clinics also, on another page of the same site: http://www.health.state.mn.us/clearinghouse/resources.htm “Guide To Additional Health Care Resources”, including free and reduced cost
AmeriCorps VISTAs are covered for our health benefits (not insurance!) by Seven Corners ( (866) 699-4186 or www.americorps.sevencorners.com).
I thought I’d share the final results of my adventures in case anyone was interested. It helps to know what happened first before reading this Part II, so click here to get caught up before continuing. Ready? Okay…
Being almost four months into my second VISTA term, I've never had any trouble utilizing our health benefits...until now. I'm not an overly-ill person or anything, but I've used our benefits a number of times. During my trip back to Indiana for the holiday, I managed to pick up a simple head cold (which also happened last time I went home, so I'm trying to determine the correlation). Head colds are no biggie at all, but FLYING with one is no picnic. As a result, I've developed a quite painful ear infection. All I need is a prescription for the infection.
Comment from Carl Seifert on January 4, 2007 - 1:21pm
Laura your ordeal sounds terrible. I'm sorry. You have definitely encouraged me to check out clinics before I get sick. Thank you for that.
I really hope things work out and you start to get better soon. Have Corey make you some Matza Ball soup...i hear its jewish penicilin.
Carl Seifert
Computer C.O.R.E.
Alexandria, VA
Comment from Laura Hanley on January 5, 2007 - 1:33pm
Thanks, Carl! I put up Part II yesterday in case you're wondering how things (hopefully) ended. I'm glad I encouraged you to find a place before you'll need it as well!
Hope things are going well for you with your VISTA term and your New Year is off to a great start!
In service,
Laura
I have been wanting to say something about making it on low income.
One, I don't have any secret to doing so. But I aught to, I suppose.
I think I'm a bit different. A lot VISTA talk was about sacrificing by making such a low income for a year. I get the impression that for a lot of you, this is a big change. I, on the other hand, have hardly ever made more than I'm making now. And in fact, had been unemployed since June when I started my service in September.
Comment from danielle martin on January 5, 2007 - 9:59am
Hi Laura,
#1 - I hope your feeling better.
#2 - I didn't want you to feel like no one was reading your medical adventures but I don't have much advice for you except, yes, your life would have been much easier if you had "been prepared" and found a doctor when you first got to CA and not wait until you got sick. I found a primary care doctor that does hours at a drop in-clinic, as well as regular appt's so I've never had a problem. This is pretty much true for any job/health "benefts".
When I asked around Project HQ the only advice would have been to show up at the ER and declare you have no insurance - depending on the state, you sometimes get better coverage that way than if you tell them about Seven Corners. Isn't Mike Denegal (former VISTA Leader) still around to ask advice?
Other than all your medical drama, how's life at work? I'd love to hear about what y'all are working on at Pangea....
-Danielle