Eyes, Ears & Medical Health Resources

Senior Charity Care

They provide financial assistance for hearing aids and testing.   This service is for those 55+ and those living at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level. 

Medical Appeals

Helping Those You Serve Navigate Through Medical Insurance Denials

• Get members insured.   See the Medical Pages under the Storehouse of Specialist on the mission website.  https://icp.churchofjesuschrist.org
   
• If required BEFORE a procedure get pre-authorization from the insurance company.  Most times the physician’s office will submit this, if not, call or write to get pre-authorization.  Start early, this can take up to 14 days.  If health requires a procedure to be done quickly ask for a “Fast Coverage Decision”.
   
• If there are financial concerns that paying will/could be a problem have the Financial Assistance form filled out, with required documents, before going to the hospital. (a link for IHC and UofU Healthcare is on the web page).
   
• Once the procedure is done if you get a denial to pay benefits from the insurance company you have the right to file an appeal.   Your insurer must notify you in writing and explain why:
  • Within 15 days if you’re seeking prior authorization for a treatment
  • Within 30 days for medical services already received
  • Within 72 hours for urgent care cases
• File your claim in a timely manner. Keep the forms or letters showing what payment or benefits were denied.   To file an internal appeal, you need to:
  • Complete all forms required by your health insurer. Or you can write or call your insurer with your name, claim number, and health insurance ID number.
  • Submit any additional information that you want the insurer to consider, such as a letter from the doctor.
• If you have someone appealing the appeal other than the patient or physician, you must include an Appointment of Representative form authorizing this person to represent you.
   
• Let your provider know that you are appealing the denial of coverage.  Stay in communication with your provider.  There is not a pause in the time for the bill to be paid because of an appeal.  Keep the provider “in the loop”.  Do not ignore letters and phone calls from the provider. 
   
• Ask the provider, most likely through the Financial Assistance office, to not send your bill to a collection agency as you are appealing.  They will be patient if you keep providing them with information on the appeal process and might be able to help with the insurance company.
   
• Get and Keep copies/records of everything.  Papers from the provider, the insurance claim denial, papers you send the insurance company.  Note phone calls, dates, and the person you spoke with.
   
• Keep track of dates and keep contacting the insurance company if they go over the days they are given in the appeal process.
   
• In the event you are denied again, you can submit for an external appeal.  Be steadfast: The appeals process can take some time.  Your doctor will need to advocate on your behalf. They can have a peer-to-peer conversation with the medical reviewer for your case or write an appeal letter explaining what they are treating you for, your medical history, why the treatment is recommended and any information or evidence that would support coverage.
   
• As you’re going through the appeals process, request copies of all the insurance company’s paperwork, such as their claim diary and the forms that were submitted to the company. It could be something as simple as a typo or misclassification that resulted in your claim being denied.
   
• If you feel you are not being treated right by your insurance company you can call the UTAH HEALTH INSURANCE CONSUMER SERVICE.  They help with consumer concerns, complaints, and independent review.  801-907-9280.
   

Fourth Street Clinic

Fourth Street Clinic helps individuals experiencing homelessness improve their health and quality of life by providing high-quality integrated health care. 

For many homeless Utahns, Fourth Street Clinic is their first and only chance at a diagnosis and on-going treatment. By increasing homeless Utahns access to primary care, Fourth Street Clinic is a major partner in ending homelessness, promoting community health, and achieving across-the-board health care savings.

Mid Valley Health Clinic

Senior Charity Care

Senior Charity Care offers eye exams and glasses. Our expert eye doctors will find your perfect prescription, or you can bring your recent prescription to the clinic.

They offer eye exams and glasses.  Their doctors can prescribe or you can bring your recent prescription to the clinic.  This service is for those 55+ and those living at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level.

Utah Partners for Health - Vision

Best Care

Your vision is your gateway to the world. Together we can get you glasses to help you see and make sure your eyes are in good health for your future.

Best Prices

UPFH Vision is not a free clinic, but we’re the best and we’re the cheapest. Does the cost of vision care get you down? We can help you save money on your office visit payments or insurance deductible if you provide income verification. This means you have to show us proof of what you earn. Online option coming soon.

Locations:

Allience Community 
5286 Commerce Dr A136
Murray UT 84107

Liberty Elementary
1085 S Roberta St
Salt Lake City UT 84111

West Jordan Clinic

Friends for Sight Vision Clinics

The Friends for Sight Vision Clinics are in the Glendale-Mountain View Community Learning Center (1388 Navajo Steet) and Liberty Community Learning Center (1085 South 300 East). The support these clinics provide are a tremendous asset to these often-under-served communities.

Working with volunteer Optometrists and Ophthalmologists who provide free professional eye exams for those without resources for vision exams, many students have been able to see an Eye Care Professional for the first time and receive prescription glasses at no cost. This is an incredible opportunity to be sure that the people in these Communities and surrounding areas are not only being screened, but also have an opportunity for eye exams, glasses and further care if needed.

If you have insurance, call your health plan for a list of participating providers and benefit information. Many medical insurance plans provide eye exam coverage.   Insurance is much more accessible than in the past.  See the Medical Section of this Handbook on how to get insured.

If you do not have insurance (including Medicaid) and your income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline you may receive a free eye exam and/or glasses. They can also provide replacement glasses for those who have a valid prescription. 

This program offers free eye exams and prescription eyeglasses to individuals who are uninsured and low income.  Eligibility is as follows for individuals who are:

• Age of 3 to 100 years old
• Have NO insurance, including *Medicare & Medicaid
• Have a household income of under 200% of Federal Poverty Level
• Have proof of need for vision services (have a medical need such as diabetes, etc., referred by a physician, failed vision screening, or have a copy of their last eye exam or eyeglass prescription) and have not had an eye exam in the last 12 months.

Eligible individuals must complete an application at vision@friendsforsight.org

*Individuals who have Medicaid, Medicare or ANY medical insurance need to go through their insurance for their eye exams as eye exams are a covered benefit with all insurance providers.  Medicaid will also cover 1 pair of prescription eyeglasses for enrollees 18 & under, but they do not cover glasses for adults, which they have a program to assist.  For prescription eyeglass assistance, a completed application must be submitted at friendsforsight.org & a copy of their valid prescription is required & emailed to vision@friendsforsight.org. 

Please note:

• Because this organization is 100% non-profit, all the programs are through donations/volunteers.  Clinics are scheduled when a local eye doctor is available to volunteer their time for free, therefore clinic dates/times are limited (typically 1 or 2 days a month only). 
• Their donor optical lab can offer standard lenses only; they do not have specialty options such as anti-glare, blue light, tints/transition lenses, sunglasses nor progressive/no-line bifocals.  They can make a bifocal; however, it must be a lined bifocal only for reading.
• All prescription eyeglasses are ordered through a donor optical lab located out of state; anticipated turnaround time is 3-4 weeks.

SightFest

SightFest – a program done through local school districts.  Contact K-12 school nurse to apply.  (Programs are done in the FALL)

Working with local school districts, SightFest Outreach events will provide free eye exams and glasses to qualified, low-income children.

K – 12 Salt Lake County School Districts

Canyons School District    https://www.canyonsdistrict.org

Granite School District  https://www.graniteschools.org

They provide screenings in the Fall months.  They will help and work with  Redwood Eye Care and the National Association of School Nurses. 

Jordan School District   https://jordandistrict.org
Contact their nursing services

Murray School District   https://www.murrayschools.org
The school district provides eyeglasses for many of it’s students who can’t afford them. 

Salt Lake City School District   https://www.slcschools.org
– Departments and Service – Health Services

Tooele School District – https://www.tooeleschools.org