Accessing healthcare in the United States while disabled is complicated, and navigating the medical world can be intimidating– especially for low-income, LGBTQ, and other multiply-marginalized individuals.
Listed below is a constantly-growing collection of resources that may help empower patients.
Free and Discounted Health Centers
Free clinic finder: http://www.needymeds.org/free_clinics.taf
Free and charitable clinic finder: http://www.nafcclinics.org/clinics/search
Another free clinic finder: https://www.pparx.org/prescription_assistance_programs/free_clinic_finder
Guide to finding low income care, as well and resources and other tips: http://www.hrsa.gov/gethealthcare/index.html
Planned Parenthood clinic finder: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center
An assortment of free and low-cost clinics, including walk-in: http://www.freeclinics.com/
Free medical and dental clinic directory: http://freeclinicdirectory.org/
Co-pay relief: http://www.patientadvocate.org/help.php?p=90
Prescription assistance: http://www.needymeds.org/pap
More prescription assistance: https://www.pparx.org/prescription_assistance_programs
Tips to save on prescriptions:http://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/save_help_on_prescription_drug.html
Free and sliding scale dental: http://www.needymeds.org/free-dental-clinics
Free dental clinic finder: http://www.freedentalcare.us/
Dental clinic finder: http://www.dentalclinics.org/
LGBTQ+ Healthcare Resources
Healthcare bill of rights: http://healthcarebillofrights.org/Read-The-Bill
Healthcare discrimination protection information: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/health-care-antidiscrimination-laws-protecting-32296.html
LGBTQ+ affrmative health provider directory: http://www.glma.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=939&grandparentID=534&parentID=938&nodeID=1
Tips for finding an LGBTQ+ friendly provider: http://www.thecentersd.org/pdf/health-advocacy/how-to-find-and-lgbt-friendly.pdf
Fat-Specific Healthcare Resources
Directory of fat-friendly healthcare providers: http://fatsafemedical.tumblr.com/
Another list of fat-safe providers: http://fatfriendlydocs.com/
List of evidence countering typical fat-phobic arguments: http://www.fatnutritionist.com/index.php/articles-evidence/
Note: While I have investigated each site, I do not have personal experience with all of them.
Finding medical treatment while poor and/or uninsured often means a lot of phone calls and some negotiating. Be persistent– you deserve access to care!