Need Medical Help? -- Check Out NeedyMeds

Uninsured? Underinsured? Flat broke and no money to fix a broken tooth? Check out NeedyMeds website, which offers an easy format for finding everything from free and low-cost clinics across Colorado to discount meds and  patient assistance programs. The mission of NeedyMeds is to make information about assistance programs available to low-income patients and their advocates at no cost.

The easy-to-navigate site also offers a widget that compares local pharmacy prices. It also offers help with application processes. There's a forum (you have to register for access) that provides a platform for people to connect with one another and share information.  

This non-profit's website truly offers help those who can’t keep up with soaring medical costs, or who just need medical information and support. 

Sept 8 Women's Health Expo at Porter Hospital

Take advantage of FREE and low-cost health screenings for women at Porter Hospital's "Women's Expo" on Sat. Sept. 8. Admission to the expo is FREE, but registration is required. To register call Ask-A-Nurse at 303-777-6877. Dozens of low cost screenings are available. Learn more about the screenings and their costs (amazing!) HERE. You can even pamper yourself with complimentary extras, including chair massages, aromatherapy, fashion and makeup consultations, Zumba Fitness classes and more. 7AM to 12:30PM. Check the above Expo link for more info. 

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Colorado

Well, March is national Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and everyone over 50 should get a colonoscopy. Can't afford it? The Center for Disease Control's Colorectal Cancer Control Program provides access to colorectal cancer screening to low-income men and women who are 50–64 years old and are underinsured or uninsured. 

Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Every year, more than 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from the disease.

The University of Colorado Cancer Center used to offer affordable testing through its Colorado Colorectal Screening Program (CCSP), but due to a 78% budget reduction for Fiscal Year 2012, CCSP is only offering endoscopic screening in rural areas, where it was determined screening is hard to come by.  

In urban areas the CCSP is championing  the use of Fecal Occult Blood Tests every year (high sensitivity guaiac-based or fecal immunochemical test or FIT). A FIT/FOBT is a test that patients can do at home. It screens for colorectal cancer by detecting blood in the stool. You can also get these tests through the 9Health Fair, which is taking place from March through May, with the bulk of the fairs being held in April.

To find out if you qualify for a free or low-cost colorectal cancer screening test and where to get screened, call 1 (866) 227-7914.

Program Eligibility:  

Age 50 or older (at average risk) or under 50 at increased risk for colorectal cancer (those having a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps)

Uninsured, or have insurance that does not cover ANY cost for endoscopic colorectal screening

Household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level

Lawfully present in Colorado

Patient in a partnering clinic

Eligible for a colorectal screening according to American Cancer Society clinical guidelines (see “Screening Guidelines”)

 More info on qualifying here.

FREE Heart Health Screenings in Feb. -- Register Today!

February is National Health Month and there are numerous FREE heart health classes and FREE heart health testing around Denver. Some events require registration, and will fill early, so read the list below carefully.

 Think that heart disease is only for oldsters? Wrong. Many heart conditions are genetic or congenital, and if caught early can they can be managed. If your family has a history of heart issues, you could benefit from a bit of testing and education.

• All Walgreens are offering FREE blood pressure testing throughout February. More than 76 million U.S. adults have high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association. High blood pressure is a contributor to heart disease, one of the nation’s leading causes of death each year. Walgreens is offering free testing to encourage more people to “know their numbers.” Tests are not done for diagnostic or treatment purposes, and individuals are advised to share their test results with their primary care physician. 
• You can learn about cholesterol basics FREE at 4PM on Tuesday Feb. 14 at the South Denver Cardiology center,  1000 Southpark Drive, Littleton. This class explores the basics of cholesterol and how to manage cholesterol with medication and natural alternatives. Learn about options, side effects and what the numbers mean. You must register at 303.74.HEART (4-3278) or online here.
• On Feb. 21 the Medical Center of Aurora is hosting FREE community screenings.These screenings will include stations for: Lipid Panel/Glucose Blood Draw, Ask a Pharmacist, Ask a Nutritionist, Heart Disease Risk Assessment and more. Find out more here. Appointments are required for the blood draws. Space is limited! Please call 303-873-0630 to make an appointment and to find out if you qualify for the lipid panel/glucose blood draw. 
• Know Your Heart: Getting to the Heart of the Matter is a FREE class offered by Porter Hospital  at 12:30PM on Thursday, Feb. 23. Learn how to identify your risk factors for heart disease, the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, early diagnosis and other heart related information. Sponsored by Porter Adventist Hospital and Park Place.Light refreshments served. Class is at Park Place, 111 Emerson St., Denver. You must register at 303-777-6877. 
• Less than 5% of sudden cardiac arrest victim survive because most people who witness the arrest do not know how to perform CPR. It could be your mother, your son, your co-worker, your best friend, or your neighbor. Join Centura Health, Exempla Healthcare, Great-West Life, and the American Heart Association at this event and learn this important life-saving skill! Saturday, March 24, 9AM-4PM at East High School, (Colfax Ave. & University). Trainings will occur every hour throughout the day.
• The first training begins at 9AM The last training begins at 3PM. To Register click here or call 303-369-5433! Please note: Attendees will not be certified. This is a basic friends and family training.

Focus on Back Pain at Porter Hospital

Learn to get over pain and get on with your life at Porter Hospital's Back on Track back pain class, at 1PM on Tuesday Feb. 14. Presented by David LaValley, MSPT, the class covers diagnosing back pain, the anatomy of the spine, common ailments, exercises and helpful resources. More info on this and future classes here. 2525 S. Downing, Denver.

FREE Denver Flu Shots Feb. 8 2012

Flu season is heating up in Colorado, so we especially want to applaud the 9Health Fair and Walgreens for teaming up to sponsor  a FREE flu clinic on Wednesday, Feb. 8. FREE to adults and children, the clinic will be held from 10AM-2PM at the Greater Park Hill Community Center in Denver. While the clinic is intended for the underserved and uninsured, anyone can attend.

FREE Quit Smoking Classes in January

Porter Adventist Hospital is offering a Jan. 12 FREE class presented on quitting smoking. Learn the newest techniques, medications and treatments available to help you create a personal plan to become a successful non-smoker.  This class is applicable to all tobacco use. There are three different dates and times offered for the class;
Thursday, Jan 12, 5:30 – 7PM
Tuesday Jan 17, 12 – 1:30PM
Wednesday, Jan 18, 6:30-8PM
To register, call (303) 778-5890 or email tobaccofree@centura.org
2525 S. Downing St., Denver

FREE and Low-Cost Dental Care in Denver, Front Range

Need dental work but don't have insurance and can't afford to pay out of pocket? Well, there is no need to neglect your choppers. The Metro Denver Dental Society offers this very helpful list of places  that offer FREE and low-cost dental care.

2011 9Health Fair Dates Set -- Affordable Screenings for All

The 2011 9Health Fair fall dates have been announced. Golden will hold a Family 9Health Fair on October 15th. The Tri Lakes Family 9Health Fair in Monument will be on October 29th, and Commerce City will host "Feria de Salud", a two-day fair, November 5th and 6th.These family-oriented events include many FREE and low-cost screenings for adults and children.Flu shots also are available for the whole family. 

Even if you have some form of insurance, you can't beat the price of the 9Health screenings for blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc., or their pap smears, breast exams, prostate checks, oral, hearing, foot and skin checks. Low-cost health tests include a Blood Chemistry Screening ($30), PSA Screening for men ($25), Blood Cell Count Screening ($15), and the take-home Colon Cancer Screening kit ($20). Each site also offers a medical professional with whom you can discuss health-related questions. In 2011, a number of sites will offer the Vitamin D ($40) and Hemoglobin A1C ($25) screening. Hemoglobin AIC screenings are a standard tool that determines blood sugar. The Exempla St. Joe's Mammogram van also will be at the fair Nov. 6 and more info on that here..

This is an incredibly well-organized event and the lines move FAST (although we urge you to get there early. Bundle up, because fall mornings can be chilly). We urge everyone to take advantage of a Family 9Health Fair this fall. Results are mailed directly to your home for you to share with your doctor. Volunteer doctors and nurses will call within 72 hours of your tests if a critical issue is discovered. No social security number or personal ID is required. For more information check out their website

FREE Women's Health Testing

Being without affordable healthcare is one of the scariest things for us broke folk. Keep in mind that eligible Colorado women may receive FREE clinical breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams and Pap tests. Click here to see if you are eligible. You need to be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Colorado and meet certain income restrictions, but it is worth checking out to see if you can participate in the program.

FREE Hepatitus C Testing

Only about 2 percent of Americans are infected with hepatitis C, but the scary  part is that half of them don't even know they are infected. Get FREE, confidential testing performed throughout Colorado thanks to the Hep C Connection. Located at 325 South Colorado Boulevard, B-302, Denver. Call 1-800-522-HEPC (4372), option 2 to schedule an appointment.