Coronavirus: Health Care For Uninsured In Naugatuck

Rich Kirby
·3 min read

NAUGATUCK, CT — If you suspect you have symptoms of the new coronavirus but have no insurance or a primary care doctor to call, a network of resources is standing by to help you find medical care.

The Health Resources and Services Administration is a federal agency that runs a nationwide network of clinics, called health centers, that serve vulnerable populations such as the homeless, migrant agricultural workers, residents of public housing and veterans as well as uninsured people.

HRSA spokesman Scott Kodish told Patch its health centers work closely with local and state health departments and other providers to screen, test and monitor patients with COVID-19 symptoms but may refer patients with more severe symptoms to local hospitals.

The HRSA's clinics have been instructed to follow the CDC's guidance on dealing with the new coronavirus including using personal protective equipment and screening patients by phone, text or video conference when possible.

All clinics provide service regardless of patients' ability to pay. They also charge for services on a sliding fee scale.

These HRSA clinics are closest to Naugatuck:

  • STAYWELL NAUGATUCK HEALTH CENTER

    • Operated by Staywell Health Care, Inc.

    • 30 Church St

    • Naugatuck, CT, 06770-4112

    • Tel: 203-756-8021

  • STAYWELL SOUTH END HEALTH CENTER II

    • Operated by Staywell Health Care, Inc.

    • 1309 S Main St

    • Waterbury, CT, 06706-1758

    • Tel: 203-597-9044

  • STAYWELL SOUTH END HEALTH CENTER

    • Operated by Staywell Health Care, Inc.

    • 1302 S Main St

    • Waterbury, CT, 06706-1748

    • Tel: 203-597-9044

  • STAYWELL HEALTH CENTER AT ST. V'S

    • Operated by Staywell Health Care, Inc.

    • 114 Benedict St

    • Waterbury, CT, 06706-1007

    • Tel: 203-597-9044

  • WATERBURY HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER

    • Operated by Wheeler Clinic, Inc.

    • 100 Jefferson Sq

    • Waterbury, CT, 06706-1109

    • Tel: 860-793-3500

  • STAYWELL HEALTH CENTER

    • Operated by Staywell Health Care, Inc.

    • 402 E Main St

    • Waterbury, CT, 06702-1701

    • Tel: 203-755-1143

  • COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER OF WATERBURY

    • Operated by COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, INCORPORATED

    • 51 N Elm St

    • Waterbury, CT, 06702-1545

    • Tel: 860-347-6971

  • STAYWELL HEALTH CARE, INC.

    • Operated by Staywell Health Care, Inc.

    • 80 Phoenix Ave

    • Waterbury, CT, 06702-1418

    • Tel: 203-756-8021 x3012

  • STAYWELL HEALTH CENTER AT WESTERN CT MENTAL HEALTH NETWORK

    • Operated by Staywell Health Care, Inc.

    • 95 Thomaston Ave

    • Waterbury, CT, 06702-1007

    • Tel: 203-805-5300

Residents needing care or a COVID-19 test are asked to call their local clinics before showing up to see what if testing is available and which treatments are appropriate.

Some health centers provide COVID-19 testing, and those that don't have been encouraged to coordinate with state and local health departments to refer patients to other testing sites, Kodish said.

The HRSA cautions school-based health centers may not be open or operating based on school closures.

To find a clinic near you, visit HRSA's Health Center Locator site.

Some states in the US are making it easier to obtain health insurance during the new coronavirus crisis. New York and Maryland have both reopened enrollment for health insurance until April 15.

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This article originally appeared on the Naugatuck Patch