Transitions Clinic Network is a network of community health clinics that serve returning community members. TCN clinic programs are led by community health workers with lived experience of incarceration and reentry and support people with their healthcare and reentry. TCN hosts a monthly Frequently Asked Questions column, a space where we answer questions about health care and empower individuals to prepare for healthy reentry. This summer we are re-featuring some key articles from past years.
Connecting to the health care you need and deserve is important when you get out of prison. There are different kinds of health care in the community. The kind of care you choose depends on what your health problem is, how urgent your need is, and your health insurance coverage.
What is Primary Care?
Primary care in the community is for your everyday health care needs. Each person can select a home clinic where they pick a primary care provider. Your primary care provider will help you stay healthy with regular check-ups to track things like blood pressure and weight and to test for conditions like sexually transmitted infections, diabetes, or cancer. Another goal of your primary care provider is to help you watch and treat any health conditions you already have, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or asthma. Your primary care provider may order medications or suggest other treatments. Primary care providers want to get to have an ongoing partnership with you, so they know you and understand your needs.
What happens if I have special health care needs?
Sometimes your primary care provider will decide you need “specialty care.” Or maybe you are already seeing a specialist. Specialty doctors help diagnose and treat very specific medical conditions, such as cancer (oncology), diabetes (endocrinology), heart problems (cardiology), or skin conditions (dermatology) to name a few. Your primary care provider helps organize all your medical care and will typically need to make a referral for you to go to a specialty clinic. Check with your health insurance before seeing a specialist to make sure it will be paid for by your plan. If you need specialty care, seeing a primary care provider as soon as possible is especially important so they can connect you to the specialist you need.
When and how do I see my primary care provider?
Getting primary care as soon as you’re out of prison is important to keep you healthy and prevent you from having to seek emergency care. Typically, you will receive only a 30-day supply of your medications to take home when released, so finding a primary care provider as soon as you can is important to continue your treatments. Activating your health insurance is a necessary first step to finding a doctor; if you have Medi-Cal (free public health insurance) you will need to call your county to let them know you are out so they can turn it on for you. Then call to make a doctor’s appointment as soon as you can (before you get low on or run out of medications) because sometimes you must wait to see a doctor and to get your medications refilled. Most of the time, clinics will require a pre-scheduled appointment for you to see your primary care provider. Sometimes clinics will offer options for unscheduled “walk in” appointments. Your clinic may offer appointments in-person, over the phone, or by video. These “telehealth” options are more common from the Covid-19 pandemic, and it may be a good option if you live far away from your clinic or have limited transportation. If you have access to a phone or computer, you can ask about this option when looking for a clinic. Your new doctor may want to meet you in the clinic first before allowing telehealth follow-up visits. Visits with your primary care provider should happen regularly (every three months to a year depending on your health) or if a new problem comes up. It’s good to see the same provider each time so they can get to know you and your conditions.
What services are offered at a primary care clinic?
The services that are offered are vary between clinics. Some clinics only have medical care, while some clinics might offer additional services like behavioral health (including psychiatrists and counseling), addiction medicine (like medications for substance use such as Suboxone or Naltrexone), dentistry, insurance assistance, or social services. Community health workers work at some clinics in the community to help support patients. Clinics that are part of the TCN employ community health care workers with lived histories of incarceration to help people who are coming home from prison. When you call to make your first appointment, you should ask what services are available so you know if the clinic will fulfill what you need and want. Also, check that they take your health insurance, such as Medi-Cal, because each clinic accepts different types of insurance.
What’s the difference between an emergency department and urgent care? How will I know if I need emergency care?
Emergency departments are for when you need immediate care for something that may be life-threatening. Urgent care is a middle ground between your primary care clinic and the emergency department, where you can be seen without an appointment for an injury or illness that cannot wait until tomorrow to be treated. Emergency departments are open 24/7 and urgent cares have set hours. Urgent cares have a specific list of conditions they can help with, so they may have shorter wait times than emergency rooms. If a new problem comes up and you’re not sure where to go for care, you can call your clinic to speak with a nurse or an on-call provider after hours and they can help you decide when and where to be seen. Some health insurances will have specific costs associated with seeking emergency care. Keep in mind that urgent care and emergency departments are not meant for your everyday health care.
We are thrilled to communicate with you inside! If you have healthcare-related questions about reentry, feel free to write us at: Transitions Clinic Network, 2403 Keith Street, San Francisco, CA 94124. Or call our Reentry Health Hotline today at (510) 606-6400 to speak with a community health worker and to see if there’s a TCN program in your community of return. We are open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
