Express Clinic is there for the uninsured

David Cooper was content sitting in the waiting room at the walk-in clinic.

He and his wife were there to refill some prescriptions. He was enjoying the flat-screen television in the lobby.

"This has worked out fine for me," said a relaxed Cooper.

He liked having a walk-in clinic available to the uninsured on a Saturday, at a time when a lot of people aren't working.

"It makes it easier on us to get here," he said.

The uninsured have a place to go on the weekends.

The Hernando County Health Department originally opened the walk-in clinic on Fridays, but changed its hours to Saturday to better meet the needs of the community, according to a media release.

The Express Clinic is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday.

"There are some primary care groups here that have clinics, but they don't really cater to people who are underinsured," said Dr. Rashid Doud, a Health Department physician who practices family medicine.

The clinic is equipped and staffed to handle cold and flu symptoms, diabetes, high-blood pressure, cysts, lacerations, asthma, urinary tract infections, hypertension, muscle sprains, and on and on.

If it is a nonemergency-type illness, chances are the clinic can treat it.

Health Department spokeswoman Ann-Gayl Ellis said six patients came through the doors in the morning during the first couple hours.

Doud said most of them were there to have their prescriptions filled, but many of them had not had any follow-up care, mostly because they are not insured.

"So far it's been great," Doud said of the turnout during the first Saturday. "It's still so new ... so with that in mind it's been really great."

Advanced registered nurses also are on hand for the patients, he said.

The Express Clinic is available for patients ages 5 and older. Doud said the clinic is not equipped to handle younger patients, but if and when it grows, it could be staffed to accommodate more in the future.

The facility is expected to move into its new building when it is completed early next year, he said.

Cash, credit cards, Medicaid and Medicare are accepted.

Private insurance is not accepted, but patients receive a receipt for services that could be submitted to their insurance companies for possible reimbursement.

Treatment is offered to patients on a first-come-first-serve basis. Appointments are not accepted.

The clinic is located at 7465 Forest Oaks Blvd., a short distance from U.S. 19.

For more information, call 352-540-6800.