The catch is, if you are “unlucky” enough to be eligible, then you are most likely unemployed and down on your luck! But that really did sound pessimistic — let me rephrase, the loss of your previous job is a catalyst that will lead to bigger and better things, so take advantage of free health care while you can!

The program is called the “Take Care Recovery Plan” and is a partnership between Take Care Health Systems and Walgreens Drug Stores. Under the plan, people who are laid off and don’t have insurance, and their uninsured family members, can receive free treatment during 2009 for minor ailments at Take Care clinics in 342 locations across the country.

The catch (and this is where the “too good.. comes in”) is, you or a member of your immediate family must have visited the Take Care Clinic prior to your job loss.  According to the Website:

This offer applies to any Take Care Clinic patient that loses his or her job on or after March 31 and has no health insurance. Any other individual that visits a Take Care Clinic as a patient after March 31, and then loses his or her job and is uninsured, may qualify for the offer for the remainder of 2009.

Here are the basic requirements for qualification:

• You must be 19 or older
• You must have lost your job on March 31, 2009 or later
• You cannot have any existing health insurance available
• You must be able to verify you are receiving or will receive unemployment benefits within 21 days of the date you apply for care.

The health care services that are offered at Take Care Clinics are generally geared toward minor ailments, such as minor skin infections or burns, poison ivy, pink eye, strep throat, bronchitis, seasonal allergies, urinary tract infections, and sinus-related ailments. Although the clinic does offer other health services such as physicals, vaccinations and injections, these are not included in the plan. Take Care Recovery Plan services are available for patients between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Take Care Recovery Plan is not intended as a substitute for COBRA health benefits or any other insurance. No family should go without necessary healthcare services, so if you know someone that may benefit from this plan, please be sure to pass it on!

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