The La Plata County Public Health Department’s clinic offers a variety of services and programs to promote the health of our community regardless of whether you have insurance, legal status in the United States or your ability to pay. Our dedicated clinic staff includes registered nurses, a nurse practitioner and a physician. We also have a Certified Connect for Health Coverage Guide who assists clients with health coverage enrollment and explains insurance benefits.
While our clinic provides many different services for the entire community, this month, we are highlighting three programs: Cancer Prevention and Early Detection, Sexual Health and Immunizations.
The LPCPHD Cancer Prevention and Early Detection program, called the Women’s Wellness Connection, is free for qualified women between the ages of 21 and 64 who are uninsured or underinsured. The program includes routine wellness exams, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and orders for breast imaging (if appropriate) at community partner sites. Individuals who don’t qualify for the program can also receive screenings and exams with fees based on income level.
Sexually transmitted infections, also known as sexually transmitted diseases, are very common. These include HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. All STI’s are treatable and many are curable. If left untreated, the effects of STI’s may include discomfort, fertility issues, neurological disorders and spread to sexual partners.
Early detection of an STI is very important. LPCPHD offers no- and low-cost screenings. Testing, care and treatment are always confidential. A once-a-day pill to prevent HIV infection is prescribed and managed through our office as well. Emergency contraception and birth control are available to all women of reproductive age regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
The LPCPHD clinic provides routine vaccines for children and adults. We provide vaccinations free of charge to eligible children ages 0 to 18 who qualify based on these criteria:
- Enrolled in Health First Colorado (Medicaid).
- Native American/Native Alaskan.
- Uninsured children.
- Children with insurance that does not cover vaccinations or with a vaccine cap.
Uninsured adults or those whose insurance does not cover immunizations can also receive no-cost vaccines through state-supported programs. There is a $21.68 administration fee for children’s and adults’ programs that can be waived for those experiencing financial hardship. LPCPHD also provides COVID-19 vaccines, including monthly after-hours and weekend walk-in clinics. Check our website at https://tinyurl.com/d2rft59u or follow us on Facebook at @lpcpublichealth for those hours and locations.
LPCPHD also offers international travel consultations and immunizations for those with upcoming trips out of the country. This service requires an appointment, which includes a consultation with a nurse to review your specific travel itinerary, health and immunization history. LPCPHD offers on-site, same-day vaccination for Japanese encephalitis, typhoid (oral and injectable), yellow fever, cholera, rabies pre-exposure and routine and seasonal vaccines. LPCPHD can also send prescriptions to your pharmacy of choice for malaria prevention, anti-diarrheal medication, motion sickness patches and high-altitude sickness prevention. There is a consultation fee for the appointment with additional fees based on immunizations provided.
La Plata County Public Health Department is proud to offer these services to our community. We can also provide resources for you to understand your insurance options, and connect community members to medical and dental homes for their primary care needs. Call 247-5702 to make an appointment.
Tiffani Roberts is the Clinic and Access to Care Supervisor at the La Plata County Public Health Department. Reach her at troberts@lpcgov.org.
