{"id":9373,"date":"2021-03-28T20:49:25","date_gmt":"2021-03-29T00:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/?p=9373"},"modified":"2021-03-28T20:51:27","modified_gmt":"2021-03-29T00:51:27","slug":"indigent-health-care-to-expand-in-polk-county-response-to-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/2021\/03\/28\/indigent-health-care-to-expand-in-polk-county-response-to-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Indigent health care to expand in Polk County in response to COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Polk County officials are taking steps to\u00a0increase residents’ access to the county’s indigent health care as a result of the\u00a0COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The county announced it is raising the income limits for the Polk HealthCare Plan to expand eligibility to approximately 13,200 adults, according to Andrea Clontz, spokeswoman for Polk’s indigent health care program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We recognize that COVID has put a strain on people\u2019s resources and we hope by expanding access to the Polk HealthCare Plan it will help further alleviate the barriers to health care resources,” she wrote in emailed statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clontz said the income limits have been raised from 100% up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. Individuals who make less than $17,774 a year or a family of four with a household income less than $36,570 are now eligible for the county’s program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polk HealthCare is not a health care insurance plan, but rather offers a way for individuals who do not qualify for either Medicare or Medicaid but cannot afford insurance to get coverage. There are currently 3,779 people enrolled, according to Clontz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The county has received 7,798 applications for the health care program since the pandemic started in March 2020, according to Clontz. Those who previously applied but were turned down due to their income are encouraged to reapply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other requirements to qualify for Polk Healthcare Program include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Must be a current, full-time Polk County resident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n