Baton Rouge Open Health Care Clinic, located in mid-city near campus, opened Oct. 24 as a full-service health care provider, publicly funded to help offset costs for people without health insurance.
OHCC Director of Development Lori Lauve is in charge of intensifying the clinic’s marketing campaign in an effort to reach out to University students, Baton Rouge Community College students and others in the Baton Rouge area.
“We’re definitely an option to not go to the emergency room,” Lauve said. “Emergency rooms are expensive.”
OHCC services include primary care, endocrinology, pediatrics and behavioral health and wellness. It also provides visitors with free HIV and STD testing, vaccines, flu shots, annual exams and assistance getting birth control.
In December, the clinic expects to offer dental services, as well.
The clinic’s primary care services can cost as little as $60, and payments for those lacking health insurance can be based off a patient’s income. The OHCC accepts Medicaid and most health insurance providers.
“We’re here to provide comprehensive services and access to quality care to people who can’t typically access care or to provide care to people who want something that’s closer to home,” Lauve said.
The clinic will refer patients to specialists if needed, Lauve said.
Patients have the option to seek multiple services in one visit to the clinic. A trip to the dentist, an annual exam and a general check-up can all be taken care of in one place at one time. Visitors can also schedule same-day appointments.
“We’re really kind of selling ourselves as a one-stop shop,” Lauve said. “I know a lot of people are busy and they have work or they have school, so to be able to come in one day, or in half a day and get everything done, and it’s over for the rest of the year — [you] can’t ask for more convenience,” Lauve said.