Health Care Services
Babies and children need health care services. Their parents and older siblings do too. The question is how do families get to the health care services?
Medicaid Transportation 
1. Get a Medicaid card with number
2. Call Medicaid Transportation 1 877 711 3662 and give them the number.
3. They will send a paper application to your address.
4. Mail in application and get approval. You only have to do this one time.
5. Once approved, call before noon the day before the appointment
6. If the appointment is out of Hernando county:
> Call 352 799- 5177 and ask what days transportation is available
> Call your doctor and make an appoint for a day transportation is available.
> Call 352 700-5177 again and request transportation
7. If you call 911 and ask to be transported, be sure to take your child’s car seat.
8. Once you are discharged from the hospital, ask them to call & arrange Medicaid transportation. Expect to wait about 2 hours.
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Crescent Community Clinic Health Care
Now you know how to get there. Where do you go for health care in Hernando County?
You may be eligible for free healthcare at the Crescent Community Clinic.
They are open weekdays except Thursdays 9:00AM – 3:00PM
352-610-9916 www.crescentclinic.org/Application
To be seen at Crescent Community Clinic, download the Application Services Form and return your completed form in person or via mail to:
Crescent Community Clinic, 5244 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, Fl 34606.
Upon receipt of application, the clinic will contact you by phone for an intake and eligibility interim appointment.
Since new patients must meet federal poverty guidelines, take along a photo ID and proof of income for either the last year or the last few months to the appointment in order to qualify financially for Health care services provided at the clinic.
The Health Clinic provides screenings for adults ages 18 through 64 with chronic health conditions – arthritis, asthma, cancer, COPD, emphysema, diabetes, epilepsy, depression, heart disease, hypertension, and obesity. When possible, physicians may refer patients to specialists for extended care.
Crescent Dental Clinic is available for patients 18 years of age and older.
Crescent Mental Health Clinic provides psychotherapy for mental illnesses but not alcohol or drug abuse. Narcotics are not prescribed at the clinic.
Important Message: The Clinic remains committed to providing access to free healthcare in our community.
Read and complete the entire Crescent Community Clinic Application for Healthcare Services and send in documentation of income. It may be either a W-2 form, previous or current year’s copy of the first page only of tax return, food stamp letter, social security income letter/statement, or other documentation.
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Optometrist
Having eye trouble? Contact the Vision Center of Super Walmart for their current hours of operation. Ask if your Medical coverage is accepted there and if there is a co-pay. If everything seems in order, ask to make an appointment.
Walmart Supercenter is located at 7305 Broad St Brooksville, FL 34601
Walmart Vision Center Phone 796-6366
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Dental Health Care
Children are accepted by the Hernando County Health Department as soon as their first tooth comes in (usually around six to eight months). Adult clients are accepted on a very limited basis. Payment is by Medicaid, cash, MasterCard, Visa, or check with ID.
Emergency dental services are available for patients of record. If you have had a dental exam within the past 12 months and have a dental emergency, please call the Hernando County Health Department (352) 540-6800 ext 82021 for an appointment.
If you are unable to keep an appointment, please notify them at least 24 hours in advance. Failure to do so may result in suspension or dismissal from the dental program.
The following services are provided at both our Spring Hill and Brooksville sites:
- Preventive Dental Care – Children only
- Routine Restorative Dental Care – Children only
- Evaluation of a tooth causing pain or swelling
- Extraction
They do not provide oral surgery or extraction of wisdom teeth
They do not offer root canals, crowns, bridges, or dentures
Locations:
7551 Forest Oaks Boulevard Spring Hill, Florida 34606
(352) 540-6800 ext. 82038
Open 7:30AM to 5:30PM Monday thru Friday
300 South Main Street Brooksville, Florida 34601
(352) 540-6800 ext. 82013
Open 7:30AM to 5:00PM Tuesday and Friday
Documents required at Initial Visit
- Verification of Disability, if applicable
- Social Security Card
- Proof of Residency
- Proof of Income
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Behavioral Health Care
Good mental health is an important part of health care. Currently, mental health services are available at the Nature Coast Community Health Center (NCCHC)/Health Department for Primary Care clients or by referral from the teen clinic.
Appointments for all services can be made at the appointment desk by calling (352) 540-6800.
Another Resource:
http://sunrisehouse.com/addiction-demographics/homeless-population/
This page summarizes available governmental, organizational and other resources and makes them easily accessible to those searching for assistance. It include dozens citations of the latest research studies and external resources for homeless individuals seeking mental health and addiction help.
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Smoking Cessation Programs
Health Department /Health Center. Program includes the following:
- 6-week program – support group style teaching you how to quit smoking
- Education on Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) (patches, gum, lozenges, inhaler, spray), coping with withdrawal, dealing with triggers, and staying smoke free
- Free Quit Smoking Kits & Survival pack
- Free carbon monoxide monitoring
The American Lung Association’s “Freedom from Smoking®” program is a seven-week, eight session smoking cessation class, that is offered through the Health Education Department. For more information and to register please call (352) 540-6817. (This smoking cessation program is also available online 24 hours a day and can be accessed by visitingwww.ffsonline.org)
QuitLine is a toll-free telephone-based tobacco use cessation hotline. Open to anyone age 13 and up, the QuitLine offers five pro-active counseling sessions 8 for pregnant women); self help materials; translation service for other languages; coupons for the nicotine patch; and TDD service for hearing impaired. You can give the QuitLine a try by calling (877) U-CAN-NOW – (877) 822-6669.
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Cutting Boards
- If possible, have dedicated cutting boards for raw meats and vegetables. Cooking kills germs in meat, but vegetables are often served raw and can be contaminated with bacteria from meat juices if the same board is used for each.
- After each use, scrub the cutting board with hot, soapy water. A commercial dishwasher may damage wooden boards.
- Do not leave the cutting boards in standing water, which facilitates bacterial growth.
- Periodically sanitize plastic cutting boards with a chlorine solution of 1 tablespoon per quart of water, or a vinegar/water solution (1 to 3 ratio) for wood boards. Spray the surface and allow to sit for several minutes, rinse with clean water and air dry.
- Allow the cutting board to dry completely; bacteria will die after a few hours when deprived of moisture and heat.
- Store the cutting board in a dry place and away from raw foods to avoid contamination
- Reduce cutting board odors by rubbing with halved lemons and then rinsing with cold water.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers this advice: “Use smooth cutting boards made of hard maple or a nonporous material such as plastic and free of cracks and crevices. Avoid boards made of soft, porous materials.”