Help with Health Care Costs
Prepared by staff of the Dallas Public Library's Urban Information Center.Introduction
Hard pressed with medical bills? This site will provide you with a few resources that are legitimate and will help you maintain better health against all financial odds.1. Medical Care
The following are a list of resources to finding affordable medical care.
- Compare Costs of Texas Hospitals
- Texas County Indigent Healthcare Program
Local Office:
Parkland Health and Hospital System
Daniel Tapia Director of Business Services
5201 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75235
Phone: 214-590-6073
Fax: 214-590-2811
Email: dtapia@parknet.pmh.org - Texas Health Steps (Children up to age 20 who are on Medicaid)
- Other Health Programs provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services
- Find a Health Clinic
- Children's Medical Aid (Affordable Insurance for your kids)
- MedlinePlus East Texas Connect (search for programs and clinics)
- Project Access
- Texas Medicaid Program
Worried About Medical Bills?
AARP Bulletin reccommends talking with your hospital and doctors about making a long term payment plan if you are unable to afford care. "Hospitals that recieve federal funding are required to provide "charity care" up to a specific amount per year. Find out if your hospital gets federal funding so you can apply". -AARP Bulletin
Clinics
- Christian Community Action Adult Health Center
- Christ's Family Clinic
- Central Dallas Ministries Clinic
- Mission East Dallas
- Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic
- Dallas County Well Child Clinics (General check ups for children and immunization shots)
- Parkland Hospital's Community Clinics
- Dallas Area Indigent Care Clinics
- Geriatric Primary Care Centers (Parkland Health & Hospital System)
2. Prescriptions
- Dallas County Prescription Card is available to all Dallas County residents. It entitles the holder to receive a discount on many prescriptions even if they have health insurance.
You may obtain the card at:
Records Building
509 Main St. Room 623
Dallas, TX 75202
8:00 am – 4:30 pm - Pfizer Prescription Help: 1-866-776-3700
- Prescription Assistance: 1-877-331-0362
- American Diabetes Association: 972-255-6900
4100 Alpha Rd. Suite 100
Dallas, TX 75244
Refers people without insurance to organizations that will help pay for medical supplies associated with diabetes. - Pharm: 1-800-762-4636
An organization representing several pharmaceutical companies who will give uninsured patients a one time 3 month supply of medication for free. - University of Texas Southwestern Medical School: 214-648-4716
Offers various clinical trials of medications and other treatments for patients. If accepted for the program the patient is given free medication and services.
The sites below focus on low cost prescriptions and programs for receiving affordable medicine.
- Needy Meds
No registration required for info on programs -ask at 6th floor reference desk for brochure! - Medicare
Provides valuable information on public and private programs offering discounted or free medication - RX Assist
Offers a current and comprehensive directory of Patient Assistance Programs and help patients locate free prescription drugs as well as current information about a variety of healthcare topics. - Together RX Access: 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669)
This program is for families who are not eligible for Medicare and has strict income limits for inclusion- but may help the cost of prescription drugs. The card can save 25% - 40% on brand name drugs and supplies. The program is supported by a large number of pharmaceutical companies and is accepted at the majority of pharmacies in the U.S. - Partnership for Prescription Assistance
The Partnership brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other healthcare providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through a public or private program that’s right for them. This website offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. - Walmart $4 Prescription Program
- Target $4 Generic Drugs
- Free Medicine Program
- Texas HIV State Pharmacy Assistance Program
- Walgreen's Prescription Saving Club
- CVS Generic Alternatives
- Benefits Check Up (For SENIORS ONLY)
Benefits Check Up is a program of the National Council on Aging. It has a comprehensive online service to screen for federal, state and some local private and public benefits for older adults (ages 55 and over). It contains over 1,300 different programs from all fifty states. On average there are 50-70 programs available to individuals per state. In addition to identifying the programs that a person may be eligible to receive, BenefitsCheckUp also provides a detailed description of the programs, local contacts for additional information and materials to help successfully apply for each program.
3. Dental Care
Agencies, Programs & Organizations
- Community Dental Care
- Oral Health Group (TX Dept of Health Services)
- Children's Oral Health Center
- Central Dallas Ministries Clinic
- Mission East Dallas
- Dental Hygiene Program at Collin County Community College
- Baylor College of Dentistry
4. Credit Counseling
Consumer Credit Counseling of Greater Dallas
HUD-certified non-profit credit counseling service provides counseling for all financial needs. Locations and hours are listed below.
- David H. Dugan Building
8737 King George Dr, Suite 200
Dallas, TX 75235-2273
(214) 638-2227
(800) 249-2227
M-F 8:30am - 4:30pm
**Has Spanish speaking counselors**
- Parkway Plaza I
14110 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 280
Dallas, TX 75254
(972) 387-2227
(866) 957-2227
M-F 8:30am - 4:30pm
- Annual Free Credit Report
Under Federal law, you are entitled to a free credit report once per year. This is the official site to request that report. You will get reports from all three credit bureaus.