Vermont Office of the Health Care Ombudsman advocates for Vermonters with health care and health insurance issues. Contact them directly at: 1-800-917-7787 if you need help with: access to care, billing problems, access to health insurance and others involving health insurance. Click here for the HCO’s overview of all public health care and prescription drug programs

Community Organizations that will help you

Nonprofit private and public organizations were established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to fight America's War on Poverty. They help people to help themselves in achieving self-sufficiency.

For more information please contact:

Tony Morgan, tony.morgan@ahs.state.vt.us
(802) 241-2454
VT Agency of Human Services
Office of Economic Opportunity
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671-1801

or call the local Community Action Agency in your area:

1. Bennington-Rutland Opportunity Council, Inc. (BROC)
   60 Center Street, Rutland, VT 05701
   Linda Rooker, Executive Director (802) 775-0878
   Lrooker175@aol.com (800) 717-2762
   Website: www.broc.org (FAX) (802)775-9949
   
   
2. Central Vermont Community Action Council, Inc. (CVCAC)
   195 US Rte 302 - Berlin, Barre, VT 05641
   Hal Cohen, Executive Director (802) 479-1053
   hcohen@cvcac.org (800) 639-1053
   Website: www.cvcac.org (FAX) (802)479-5353
   
   
3. Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, Inc. (CVOEO)
   191 North Street/PO Box 1603, Burlington, VT 05402
   Tim Searles, Executive Director (802) 862-2771
   tsearles@cvoeo.org (800) 287-7971
   Website: www.cvoeo.org (FAX) (802)660-3454
   
   
4. North East Kingdom Community Action, Inc. (NEKCA)
   70 Main Street/PO Box 346, Newport, VT 05855
   Paul Denton, Executive Director (802) 334-7316
   pdenton@nekca.org (800) 639-4065
   Website: www.nekca.org (FAX) (802)334-5249
   
   
5. Southeastern Vermont Community Action, Inc. (SEVCA)
   91 Buck Drive, Westminster, VT 05158-9618
   Steve Geller, Executive Director (802) 722-4575
   sgeller@sevca.org (800) 464-9951
   Website: www.sevca.org (FAX) (802)722-4509

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Health Care

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)

Federally qualified health centers qualify for enhanced reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid, as well as other benefits. FQHCs must serve an underserved area or population, offer a sliding fee scale, provide comprehensive services, have an ongoing quality assurance program, and have a governing board of directors.

If you would like more information about a specific health center please call them directly. Each FQHC in Vermont also has a Dental center associated with it which also has a sliding scale for dental care.

1. Community Health Center of Burlington (CHCB) Riverside Site 617 Riverside Avenue Burlington (802) 864-6309
   
   
2. additional CHCB site: Safe Harbor Clinic 184 South Winooski Avenue Burlington (802) 860-4310
   
   
3. additional CHCB site: Pearl Street Clinic 177 Pearl Street Burlington (802) 652-1080
   
   
4. Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) Caledonia Internal Medicine 185 Sherman Drive St. Johnsbury (802) 748-5174
   
   
5. additional NCHC site: Concord Health Center 201 East Main Street Concord (802) 695-2512
   
   
6. additional NCHC site: Danville Health Center 26 Cedar Lane Danville (802) 684-2275
   
   
7. additional NCHC site: Hardwick Area Health Center 6 High Street Hardwick (802) 472-3300
   
   
8. additional NCHC site: Island Pond Health and Dental Center 82 Maple Street Island Pond (802) 743-4300
   
   
9. additional NCHC site: Northern Counties Dental Center 296 South Main Street Hardwick (802) 472-2260
   
   
10. additional NCHC site: St. Johnsbury Family Health Center 185 Sherman Drive St. Johnsbury (802) 748-5041
    
    
11. Northern Tier Center for Health (NoTCH) Alburg Health Center Industrial Park Road Alburg (802) 796-4414
    
    
12. additional NoTCH site: Enosburg Health Center 44 Center Street Enosburg (802) 993-5831
    
    
13. additional NoTCH site: Richford Health Center 44 Main Street Richford (802) 255-5500
    
    
14. additional NoTCH site: Richford Dental Center 53 Main Street Richford (802) 255-5520
    
    
15. additional NoTCH site: Swanton Health Center 45 Church Street Swanton (802) 868-2454
    
    
16. Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region Brandon Internal Medicine 420 Grove Street Brandon (802) 247-6305
    
    
17. additional CHCRR site: Castleton Family Health Center 275 Route 30 North Bomoseen (802) 468-5641
    
    
18. additional CHCRR site: Mettowee Valley Health Center 278 Vermont Route 149 West Pawlet (802) 645-0580
    
    
19. additional CHCRR site: Grove Street Dental Office 71 Grove Street Rutland (802) 774-5050
    
    
20. Little Rivers Health Care (LRHC) Bradford Health Services 437 South Main Street Bradford (802) 222-9317
    
    
21. additional LRHC site: Wells River Clinic 65 Main Street Wells River (802) 757-2325
    
    
22. additional LRHC site: Valley Health Center 720 Village Road East Corinth (802) 439-5321
    
    
23. The Health Center The Health Center 157 Towne Avenue Plainfield (802) 454-8336
    
    
24. Lamoille Community Health Services Morrisville Family Health Care 607 Washington Highway Morrisville (802) 888-5639
    
    
25. additional LCHS site: Women's Care 439 Washington Highway Morrisville (802) 888-8100
    
    
26. additional LCHS site: Stowe Family Medicine 1878 Mountain Road Stowe (802) 253-4853
    
    
27. additional LCHS site: Behavioral Medicine 528 Washington Highway Morrisville (802) 888-8320

Rural Health Clinics (RHC)

The Rural Health Clinics are intended to increase primary care services for Medicaid and Medicare patients in rural communities. RHCs can be public, private, or non-profit. The main advantage of RHC status is enhanced reimbursement rates for providing Medicaid and Medicare services in rural areas. RHCs must be located in rural, underserved areas and must use midlevel practitioners.

If you want more information please contact the clinic you want more information about.

1. Springfield Hospital Rockingham Medical Group 18 Old Terrace Bellows Falls (802) 463-9000
   
   
2. Cold Hollow Family Practice Cold Hollow Family Practice 84 Water Tower Road, Unit 1 Enosburg Falls (802) 933-6664
   
   
3. Mountain Valley Health Center Mountain Valley Health Center 5 Route 11 Londonderry (802) 824-6901
   
   
4. Springfield Hospital Ludlow Family Medicine 1 Elm Street Ludlow (802) 228-8867
   
   
5. Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital Corner Medical 182 South Wheelock Road Lyndonville (802) 626-9246
   
   
6. Ryder Brook Pediatrics Ryder Brook Pediatrics 1126 Laporte Road Morristown (802) 888-2448
   
   
7. North Country Hospital Community Medical Associates 41 Medical Village Drive Newport (802) 334-3504
   
   
8. North Country Hospital Family Practice of Newport 81 Medical Village Drive Newport (802) 334-4120
   
   
9. North Country Hospital North Country OB/GYN Services 81 Medical Village Drive Newport (802) 334-4110
   
   
10. North Country Hospital The Barton Clinic 488 Elm Street Barton (802) 525-3539
    
    
11. Newport Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Newport Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 121 Medical Village Drive Newport (802) 334-5929
    
    
12. Orleans Medical Clinic Orleans Medical Clinic 31 East Street Orleans (802) 754-2220
    
    
13. Keeler Bay Family Practice Keeler Bay Family Practice 564 US Route 2 South Hero (802) 372-4687
    
    
14. Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital St. Johnsbury Pediatrics 4 Sherman Drive St. Johnsbury (802) 748-5131
    
    
15. Otis Health Care Center Grace Cottage Family Health 185 Grafton Road Townshend (802) 365-7357
    
    
16. Otis Health Care Center Grace Cottage Family Practice 1154 Route 30 Townshend (802) 365-4354
    
    
17. Mad River Health Center Mad River Health Center 859 Old County Drive Waitsfield (802) 496-3838
    
    
18. Arlington Family Practice Arlington Family Practice Church Street Arlington (802) 375-6566

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England

Planned Parenthood is a comprehensive women’s health care provider, educator, and advocate, serving women, men, teens, and families. They accept most insurances as well as have options to pay on a sliding scale based on income.

If you want more information please call the local office or check out their website.

1. Barre 90 Washington Street Barre (802) 476-6696
   
   
2. Bennington 140 Hospital Drive, Suite 307 Bennington (802) 442-8166
   
   
3. Brattleboro 402 Canal Street Brattleboro (802) 257-0534
   
   
4. Burlington 23 Mansfield Avenue Burlington (802) 863-6329
   
   
5. Hyde Park Page Building Hyde Park (802) 888-3077
   
   
6. Middlebury 102 Court Street Middlebury (802) 388-2765
   
   
7. Newport 79 Coventry Street Newport (802) 334-5822
   
   
8. Rutland Six Roberts North Rutland (802) 775-2333
   
   
9. Springfield 125 Park Street Springfield (802) 885-4701
   
   
10. St. Albans 80 Fairfield Street St. Albans (802) 527-1727
    
    
11. St. Johnsbury 357 Western Avenue, Suite 101 St. Johnsbury (802) 748-8194
    
    
12. Waterbury 55 South Main Street Waterbury (802) 244-5651
    
    
13. Williston 183 Talcott Road Williston (802) 879-4800
    
    
14. Planned Parenthood Express South Royalton Vermont Law School So. Royalton (866) 476-1321

Vermont Coalition of Clinics for the Uninsured

These clinics are run throughout the state and differ in the services they provide their local community.

To find out more about a particular clinic, call them or go to the website above to find out more.

1. Red Logan Dental Clinic 745 Hartford Avenue White River Jct (802) 295-7573
   
   
2. Good Neighbor Health Clinic 745 Hartford Avenue White River Jct (802) 295-1868
   
   
3. Health Access Program at FAHC 790 College Parkway Colchester (802) 847-6985
   
   
4. Neighborhood Health Connections (Gifford MC) 5 Maple Street Randolph (802) 728-2323
   
   
5. Open Door Clinic 99 Court Street Middlebury (802) 388-0137
   
   
6. The Rutland Free Clinic, 145 State Street Rutland VT 802-775-1360
   
   
7. People's Health and Wellness 553 No. Main Street Barre (802) 479-1229
   
   
8. Valley Health Connections 268 River Street Springfield (802) 885-1616
   
   
9. Putney Walk-In Clinic Main Street Putney (802) 387-2120
   
   
10. Windsor Community Health Clinic 289 County Road Windsor (802) 674-7213
    
    
11. Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic 81 Belmont Avenue Brattleboro (802) 257-6536

Ladies First

Ladies First is a health screening program for Vermont women. Ladies First removes financial barriers which prevents many women from being screened for breast and cervical cancer and heart disease. Federally funded through a grant to the Health Department, Ladies First pays for:

• annual mammograms
• clinical breast exams
• pelvic exams
• cervical Pap tests
• instruction in breast self-exam
• cardiovascular disease risk factor (cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes) screening.
  

Services are provided locally, by the woman’s own physician in most cases. Ladies First also pays for repeat mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, and colposcopies. Early and regular screening is key to reducing the death rate from cancer and heart disease. Women who are older or have limited income are at higher risk to develop cancer and heart disease, and less likely to be screened for cancer.

The Vermont legislature created the Office of Health Care Ombudsman (HCO) in January of 1999. The HCO advocates for individual Vermonters with health care and health insurance issues. We also track and study trends in health care, comment on federal and state health care regulations and recommend needed changes to Vermont's health care policies. Specially trained advocates work at the HCO. They are experienced in dealing with different kinds of health care and health insurance problems. Types of problems the office helps Vermonters with: access to care, billing problems & Access to Health. Our services are free to all Vermonters.

Office of Health Care Ombudsman

PO Box 1367
Burlington, VT 05402
Phone/TTY: 1-800-917-7787
Fax: 802-863-7152

Our office is open Monday through Friday 8:30 to 4:30. Website: http://www.vtlegalaid.org/hco.html

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Dental Services

There are a number of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Vermont that offer dental care on a sliding scale for those that earn up to 200% of the federal poverty line (FPL):

The FQHCs allow people making above 200% of the FPL to get care and a few of them offer cash discounts, but they most often have waiting lists. In these clinics, people making below 200% of the FPL that are eligible for a sliding scale must be from certain towns or a specific area in order to qualify. People making above 200% of the FPL can usually be from anywhere and get into these clinics. There are some vouchers that people can get from ESD - PATH offices if their incomes are low enough (details to follow).

FQHCs:

Cash discounts for people making above 200% of the FPL (if they pay immediately):

• Rutland  - 35%
• Richford - 20%
• Hardwick/Island Pond -  8%

Other clinics:

• Red Logan Dental Clinic  (part of VCCU - Vermont Coalition of Cinics for the Uninsured) - White River Jct.
  802 295-7573 
  -Free dental care (no root canals) for people making under 200% of the FPL. No care for people making above that level.
  
  
• Vermont State Dental Clinic - White River Junction - 802 296-5598
  -Free dental care for  people on Medicaid and Dr. Dynasaur People on VHAP can get vouchers from PATH office (in WRJ - 802 295-8855) to cover some expenses.
  
  
• Free Dental Clinic - Brattleboro - 802 257-6536
  Free dental care for people without dental insurance - does cavities and simple extractions only (no cleanings, no root canals, no dentures, no oral surgery) Overwhelmed - booked until Feb. 2009 (in Oct 08) - waiting list beyond
  
  
• Vermont Tech Dental Hygiene Clinic - Williston - 802 879-5643
  cleanings and x-rays only - hygiene: $12   - x-rays: $8-20
  
  
• Vermont Dental Care - Winooski - 655-2385 - Chuck Seleen - if income is less than $25,000 or people are over 60 , they can get at least 10% off for various dental work.
  
  
• Rockingham Dental Center - Bellows Falls - 463-1915 - takes Medicaid patients - up to 900/yr - children 6-18 covered by Dr. Dynasaur - for eligible adults - program for cleaning.
  
  
• Rutland Free Dental Clinic - 145 State St., Rutland, VT  775-1360 - no access to health insurance of any type and income at 200% of the federal poverty level or below.

Emergency Dental Assistance

Economic Services Division District Offices:

People with dental issues involving pain, bleeding or infection may be eligible for vouchers from the State to help offset some of the cost for dental procedures (extractions, xrays, root canals - not fillings) at Federally Funded Health Clinics and other clinics. They have emergency assistance and general assistance - people without health insurance who need help with prescriptions for certain issues can apply for general assistance. The income guidelines are not clear and can be left up to the discretion of the case worker.

Food Assistance

Vermont Foodbank and Partner Food shelfs

The mission of the Vermont Foodbank is to gather and share quality food and nurture partnerships that will end hunger in Vermont. The Vermont food bank helps to distribute food to food shelves as well as other programs to make sure Vermonters are getting nutrional quality food around the state. A food shelf is a local, non-profit community agency that directly provides bags or boxes of food to low income people in its area for home preparation and consumption. A food shelf may obtain food from the Foodbank, from individual donations in its community, and through wholesale and/or retail purchase.

Phone: 802-476-3341
Toll free: 800-585-2265
Fax: 802-476-0319
Email: kcrowningshield@secondharvest.org

Mailing Address: Vermont Foodbank, P.O. Box 254, South Barre, VT 05670

Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

For a list of food shelves and organizations in your county go to: http://www.vtfoodbank.org/partners/

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Housing Assistance

Vermont State Housing Authority

VSHA has the distinction of being the first statewide housing authority in the nation. Throughout our history, we have aggressively and compassionately pursued opportunities to provide and make housing more accessible and affordable for Vermonters. Vermont State Housing Authority does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed or religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, ancestry or place of birth, age, U.S. Military Veteran status, familial status, marital status, disability, HIV status, or because income is derived in whole or in part from public assistance in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. VSHA is committed to equal housing and employment opportunity and will consider reasonable accommodations upon request. Free interpreter services are available. Please tell us if you need an interpreter or other accommodation.

Check out the: Directory of Affordable Rental Housing (DoARH) or for more information email: contact@vsha.org

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Fuel Assistance

Vermont's Seasonal Fuel Assistance Program

Fuel Assistance can help to pay part of your home heating bills. You might be eligible for fuel assistance whether you:

• Own your home or rent
• Pay for your heat directly or it's included in your rent
• Rent a room in someone else's home
• Live in public, subsidized, or Section 8 housing AND your rent includes the cost of heat

The best way to find out if you are eligible for assistance is to apply.

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