Walgreens to provide free care to the unemployed/uninsured

Walgreens has decided to provided free clinical services to the unemployed and to those without health insurance for the rest of 2009, according to yahoo news.

The free services will include tests and minor medical treatments, but the customer would still be responsible to pay for any prescriptions.

According to the article:

The program is expected to last through the end of 2009. Walgreens runs 341
Take Care clinics in 35 markets around the country, including Chicago, Atlanta,
Miami and Cleveland.

Free services will be offered only from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Walgreens said it will not offer free checkups, vaccinations or other injections because it is focusing on providing services patients might otherwise get at an urgent-care center or even an emergency room.

Patients must present proof they are unemployed, including a federal or state unemployment determination letter and an unemployment check stub. They will have to sign a form at the clinic saying they have lost their jobs and health benefits. If they find a new job or get new health insurance, they will no longer be eligible for free care.

Spouses and children are also eligible for free services if they don't have insurance of their own.

Medical lab operator Quest Diagnostics is participating in the program by offering free tests for step throat and urinary tract infections.