A local medical clinic is doing its part to help residents obtain medical care for their children during these tough economic times.
Starting Feb. 11, uninsured Oxford-area residents who need health care for their children will have access to it through Oxford Pediatrics.
Specifically, the office will see uninsured children (up to age 18) for free Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. While the office visits for the uninsured will be free, it will be by appointment only.
‘We’ll have appointments for our own patients, but during that time we’ll give appointments for those facing difficult financial circumstances,? said Dr. Devyani Khambete, who, along with Dr. Parvathi Sivaram, serves as a pediatrician at the clinic. ‘Whoever those might be, it won’t cost them anything at all and we’ll treat them like our own patients.?
The free office visits will cover immunizations, general visits and even physical exams required for children to compete in sports.
Dr. Khambete is looking into local prescription programs and said there are free ones for a certain period of time, along with generic programs for prescriptions as low as four dollars.
‘We try to prescribe within constraints to keep families? out-of-pocket costs as minimal as possible,? the doctor said.
The free service, though, won’t apply to pregnancies or sexually-transmitted diseases, but Dr. Khambete said she can refer patients to county medical offices where they can receive help.
They also aren’t able to subsidize lab tests or x-rays, but they can show patients where to get those treatments for the lowest possible cost.
Oxford Pediatrics has been in Oxford for five years, and this is the first time they’ve offered this free program. The idea came from a monthly meeting of the doctors at the practice.
‘We have been trying to figure out what we can do to help people in the community,? Dr. Khambete said. ‘We see how things are firsthand. We meet parents and hear their stories. You get to know the people over the years, the ups and downs and what’s going on with them. We hear the stories they tell of how hard it is for them. In our small way, we’re doing what we can to help them.?
Oxford Pediatrics is receiving no state funds or financial assistance to offer this free service. In the past, they’ve helped out some residents by writing off bills when they see the family’s struggling.
‘We have wanted to do something to give back,? Dr. Khambete said. ‘Our medical practice is hurting just like anybody else. That being said, we are still very blessed. Everyone of us has to do their part to try to pull together and help out our friends and neighbors and people we don’t even know. If we help each other, we can get the ball rolling.?
The doctor hopes the service might be beneficial for families who have no medical insurance due to a job loss and are getting state-funded insurance or MIChild insurance.
Dr. Khambete encourages needy local families to take advantage of this program, emphasizing that even those getting free help will be treated with dignity and respect.
‘Nobody will know why you’re here for unless you choose to tell them,? she said.
Oxford Pediatrics is located at 51 South Washington Street, Suite G. upstairs in the Starbucks building.
For more information or to schedule an appointment call (248) 628-0800.