Working with the Gilead Outreach & Referral Center
Your neighborhood Community Health Center (CHC) is a good place to get
affordable health care. This care is available to all individuals regardless
of health insurance status, income level, or residency status. Your neighborhood
CHC is an important resource for you and your family.
Features Common to All CHCs
- They provide primary health care, pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics, and related testing and laboratory work.
- They accept private and public insurance.
- They offer an income-based sliding fee scale for persons without health insurance.
- They have arrangements to refer patients to a hospital for in-patient services if needed.
Each CHC offers its own mix of services beyond this core. For example:
Hours of Service
- CHC hours and days of service vary.
- Some CHCs can easily serve walk-in patients, but it's always better to make an appointment in advance.
- Call ahead to find out. Phone numbers appear elsewhere on this fact sheet.
Cost of
Services
CHCs
are low-cost but not free in most cases.
- Patients with private or public insurance are charged the normal costs for their health care.
- For people
without insurance, CHCs differ:
- Some CHCs charge a flat amount per visit that varies depending on income;
- Some CHCs offer discounted rates that vary depending on income.
- Call ahead to discuss how the CHC you plan to visit will bill you if you do not have insurance.
Special
Services
Some but not all CHCs offer mental health services, dental, on-site prescription
drugs, HIV/AIDS treatment or other specialty services. Each CHC has its
own mix. If you think you need a specialty service, call to find out if
your CHC has it.
Necessary Papers
- If you have insurance, you should bring your insurance card and a photo identification card.
- If you
do not have insurance, you should bring:
- Proof of income (a recent check stub or your W-2 form)
- Proof of address (utility bill or rent receipt)
- Photo identification - CHCs vary. Call ahead to discuss this with the CHC you plan to visit.
Other things you may want to know:
- The languages spoken by the CHC staff
- The hospital that the CHC works with
- Access by bus or el.
There are many CHCs in the Chicago metropolitan area. You can get a complete listing from the Illinois Primary Health Care Association at 312-692-3000.
A list of the Gilead Center's CHC partners follows. It is arranged by area of the city and suburbs. The Gilead Center encourages you to visit your neighborhood CHC, and to share this information with your family, friends and neighbors.
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SOUTH/SOUTHWEST SIDE Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Altgeld
Health Center Chicago
Family Health Center/ Chicago
Family Health Center/ Friend
Family Health Center/East Friend
Family Health Center/West Komed/Holman
Health Center |
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NORTH/NORTHWEST CHICAGO Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Chicago
Health Outreach Erie
Humboldt Park Erie
West Town Family Erie
Teen Health Center Family
Practice Community Family
Practice Community Family
Practice Community Family
Practice Community Wellness/ Winfield
Moody Health Center |
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WEST CHICAGO Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Erie
West Side Family Lawndale
Christian Health Center/ Lawndale
Christian Health Center/ Louise
Landau Health Center |
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Access
Community/ Access
Community/ Access
Community/
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