This post continues my series on free and low-cost healthcare resources in Pinellas County, including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, Gulfport and the beach communities.   When someone is applying for Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), they have to keep seeing doctors to win their claim.  Being disabled from working means having less money.  There are several options in Pinellas County where you can seek free or low-cost healthcare services.

The Pinellas County Health Plan is offered through Pinellas County Human Services Department.  It provides medical and hospital coverage.   The Plan also has a prescription service that offers medications with no co-pay.  Pinellas Health & Human Services has north and south county locations at:

Clearwater
2189 Cleveland St. , Suite 230, Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 464-8400
gmap

St. Petersburg
647 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 582-7781
gmap

The program is for low-income individuals, and key component is household income.  To qualify for services, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or non-sponsored legal resident
• Be a Pinellas County resident
• Be an adult between the ages of 18 and 64
• Be uninsured and cannot pay for the medical care you need
• Not be eligible for Medicaid, Medicare or other public assistance programs
• Meet Federal Income Guidelines – see below

Income guidelines are based on the current Federal Poverty Guidelines for family size. These guidelines are updated each year. The figures shown are for net income after taxes are paid.

If you are having difficulty paying for healthcare costs, you need to contact Pinellas Health & Human Services.   If you do not see a doctor regularly while your SSDI or SSI claim is pending, there is a good chance you will lose the case.   Do everything you can to get regular health care.

To apply for the Pinellas Health Plan, you can go to any one of a number of “Medical Homes” where the system is operated.

• Community Health Centers of Pinellas - gmap
  (Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center)
  1344 22nd St. S.
  St. Petersburg, FL 33712
  (727) 821-6701

• Community Health Centers at Largo – gmap
  12420 130th Ave. N.
  Largo, FL 33774
  (727) 587-7729

• Community Health Centers at Tarpon Springs – gmap
  247 S. Huey Ave.
  Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
  (727) 944-3828

• Community Health Centers at Pinellas Park – gmap
  6237 66th St.
  Pinellas Park, FL 33781
  (727) 544-2284

• Community Health Centers at Clearwater – gmap
  1020 Lakeview Road
  Clearwater, FL 33756
  (727) 461-1439

Health Department sites

• 205 Dr. M.L. King Jr. St. N. – gmap
  St. Petersburg, FL 33701
  (727) 824-6900
• 6350 76th Ave. N. – gmap
  Pinellas Park, FL 33781
  (727) 547-7780
• 310 N. Myrtle Ave. – gmap
  Clearwater, FL 33755
  (727) 469-5800
• 301 S. Disston Ave. – gmap
  Tarpon Springs, Fl 34689
  (727) 942-5457

Next in This Series:  More free and low-cost healthcare options in Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and surrounding communities.  Also, check back for future posts on free or low cost services in Pasco, Manatee, Hernando, Polk, and Orange Counties.

John Tucker is a Social Security Disability Attorney with offices in Clearwater (the Feather Sound area) and Tampa.  Call (727) 572-5000 for a free consultation about your claim. 

I previously wrote a series of posts on various low-cost healthcare resources in Hillsborough County.  Today, I want to continue that series, but focus on free or low-cost healthcare options in Pinellas County.  That includes St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, Gulport and the beach communities.   For people applying for Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it is crucial to see a doctor as regularly as possible.   When you run out of money because you cannot work, it can be very stressful.  There are many options in Pinellas County where you can seek free or low-cost healthcare services.

The first resource I recommend to individuals living in Pinellas County is the Pinellas County Health Department.   Their website is a good place to start (www.pinellashealth.com).  You can contact them by phone at (727) 824-6900.  Their main office is at  205 N Martin Luther King Jr. Ave,  St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

They have 7 locations throughout Pinellas County:  Tarpon Springs, Clearwater,  Pinellas Park, two in Largo and three in St. Petersburg (CLICK ON THE MAP AT RIGHT).  They also have two mobile medical units that provide healthcare to the uninsured.

Seeing a doctor regularly is crucial to any SSDI or SSI claim.  If you have applied for Social Security Disability or SSI, it is very important that you continue to see a doctor. Social Security requires that an individual seeking SSDI and SSI provide medical evidence from your doctor that proves not only that they have a medical condition, but also that the condition (or conditions) cause limitations that keep you from working.   Unfortunately many individuals find themselves in financial hardships while they are applying for SSDI and SSI.  Social Security Judges want to know that someone tried to get medical care, even after their funds ran out.  That means you have to rely on resources like the Pinellas County Health Department to get medical care.

Next in This Series:  More free and low-cost healthcare options in Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and surrounding communities.  Also, check back for future posts on free or low cost services in Pasco, Manatee, Hernando, Polk, and Orange Counties.

John Tucker is a Social Security Disability Attorney with offices in Clearwater (the Feather Sound area) and Tampa.  Call (727) 572-5000 for a free consultation about your claim.