medical update

I have tried out the United Health Center system recently. They have a program where they see people on a sliding scale. Care includes, medical, labs, prescriptions, xrays, and dental. I applied for the sliding scale program which I found to be quite a process. Because I have children under 18, I was first required to apply for medi-cal. After waiting for 2 hours I was told we did qualify with a share of cost of about 2,000 a month. I started laughing when she told me that. I can purchase individual insurance for my entire family for about half of that! After getting the denial letter from her applying for the sliding scale program was easy after that. I qualify for services with a $30 co-pay per visit. This includes any lab work ordered during your visit. You can have it done on site at certain facilities or go to any Quest lab with your doctors order and UHC label. They bill them directly. I waited about an hour before I saw the doctor but I have done that plenty of times with highly paid insurance doctors. This doctor spent over an hour with me! I don't think anyone has ever done that. I was very impressed with the care I received. The down side to this is that they do not have any clinics in Fresno. The closest places are in Sanger, Parlier, or Kerman. Sanger has only medical services available, but Kerman or Parlier does everything. You can get your prescriptions there as well with a 70% discount off regular fees. I have an appointment there to see a dentist. I can't tell you how badly I have needed to get dental care done and just could not figure out how to do all I needed without paying what it would cost me to buy a new car! I never thought I'd be excited to go to the dentist but I am. Part of my anxiety of seeing a dentist has always been what it was going to cost. I just feel relieved to finally take care of some problems I have put off for a while. I'm looking forward to giving my next report.