Many people seek medical help when a cold and flu season progresses.
The CDC estimates that there were between 3.1 and 5.4 million cases across the US between Oct. 1 and Dec. 21, where Ohio has a high incidence of tuberculosis. Cases of COVID-19 are increasing in Ohio and Kentucky.
If you are sick, you may need to see a doctor. And viruses don’t discriminate based on health insurance status.
Several clinics around Greater Cincinnati have cost-based or cost-free health care options. In addition to urgent care clinics for the sick or injured, some free clinics also offer options for those seeking an ongoing primary care physician or other specialty care.
Here’s where you can find free or low-cost health and pharmacy services in the area, whether you have a temporary illness or need serious care.
Health departments in the Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky area
Health departments don’t just inspect restaurants. They also provide free health care services to the community.
The Kentucky Department of Health offers a variety of free vaccinations and screening options at its four health centers in Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties.
On the Ohio side of the river, free vaccinations and testing are available at health departments in Hamilton, Butler and Clermont counties.
Some require appointments and others allow walk-ins. Check the applications online before you go.
Springdale Rehabilitation Center
The A non-profit Recovery Center based in Springdale provides services to individuals and their families such as a clothing closet, food pantry, links to community resources and employment programs. Several health care facilities are also part of the deal.
- Free clinic: The nonprofit partners with University of Cincinnati medical students to offer a free health clinic open on Saturday mornings. Like urgent care centers, the clinic treats flu, fever, infections, minor wounds and injuries. Interpreters are available for non-English speaking patients.
- Other health care services: The Healing Center also partners with Life Forward to provide medical consultations, prenatal testing, ultrasound equipment, vision and eye exams, blood pressure and blood sugar testing, quarterly mammograms and training. .
The Healing Center is located at 11345 Century Circle West in Springdale. Its free health clinic is open from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Contact the center at 513-346-4080 for information about other services.
Primary Health Solutions in Butler County
Primary Health Solutions is a not-for-profit, secure health care provider serving Southwest Ohio. It has centers in Hamilton, Fairfield, Middletown, Oxford, Trenton and Dayton.
Primary care, dental, chiropractic, vision, women’s health, mental health and pharmacy are some of the services available to its patients. It has urgent care locations in Middletown and Hamilton.
Primary Health Solutions has a sliding scale of pay based on income and insurance status. You can call 513-454-1111 to schedule an appointment anywhere in Butler County, or 937-535-5060 for the Dayton office.
HealthCare Connection in northern Hamilton County
HealthCare Connection serves the uninsured and uninsured residents of northern Hamilton County and surrounding areas. Founded in 1967 with its first health clinic in Lincoln Heights, which, at the time, was the nation’s largest self-governing Black municipality, yet had no doctors or dentists working there.
It has now expanded to several locations in the northern part of the county, offering primary care, pediatrics, dentistry, women’s health, behavioral health and pharmacy. Centers are located in Lincoln Heights, Mount Healthy and Forest Park. There are also four campus-based health centers for students at Princeton, Mount Healthy, Lockland and high schools, and the Winton Woods South Campus.
Appointments are required. You can find phone numbers for each location — including phone lines for Spanish- and French-speaking patients — at www.healthcare-connection.org/locations.
Nurse Advocacy Center for the Underserved in Northern Kentucky
Northern Kentucky University runs the Nurse Advocacy Center for the Underserved, a clinic dedicated to reducing health disparities. It primarily serves people experiencing homelessness, people living in poverty, and the uninsured or underinsured. Even if a person has insurance, he can still provide health education and referral services to run the health system, according to the director of the health center, Dr. Jennifer Hunter.
Registered nurses and students work at the clinic at 20 West 18th St. Covington.
You can get more information by calling 859-572-6342.
Samaritan Free Health Center in Cincinnati
Tri-Health has a free clinic for seniors in East Price Hill. The Good Samaritan Free Health Center opened in 2011 and is 100% self-funded.
There are eligibility requirements for new patients at Tri-Health specialty clinics. Patients must be over 18 years of age, live in Hamilton County, lack private insurance but not qualify for Medicaid and have an income below 200% of the poverty level, among other criteria.
According to the Charitable Health Care Network, the clinic offers primary care, physical, dental, vision, women’s health, mental health and more.
Good Samaritan Health Center is located at 3727 St. Lawrence Ave in East Price Hill. Inpatient hours are 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday and 9 am to noon on Saturday. Both scheduled appointments and walk-ins are available.
Health Centers of Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Department of Health has multiple community health centers spread across 52 city areas. They offer scheduled tours and excursions, but check hours in advance. They take insurance but free care is available, no questions asked.
There are centers in Avondale, Over-the-Rhine, Madisonville, Millvale, Price Hill, Northside and several city schools. There are also pharmacies in some health centers.
Appointments for all locations can be made via the central scheduling line at 513-357-7320. Find places on the health department website.
St. Vincent de Paul Cincinnati Charitable Pharmacy in Cincinnati and Milford
Some patient groups can receive free letters from St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy.
Eligible residents of Hamilton, Warren, Butler and Clermont counties can use pharmacy services as “the last safety net for those who have no other way to get their prescriptions,” according to the website of St. Vincent de Paul.
To qualify, you must live in those designated counties, have a household income of less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level and complete the individual certification process every six months. The prospective patient must also not have health insurance or need health insurance with affordable co-pays.
Services include filling prescriptions, medication management and education, health screenings for blood pressure and diabetes, flu shots and enrollment in assistance programs.
The Charitable Pharmacy has three locations, two of which are in the St. Vincent de Paul store:
- Neyer Outreach Center, 1146 Bank St. West End.
- Milford store, 813 Main St. (next to the shop in suite A).
- Western Hills store, 3015 Glenhills Way in West Price Hill.
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