Vision
Resources
Williston-Immanuel Church can sometimes provide up to $50 toward an eye exam through their Community Assistance Fund.
Casco Bay Eye Care – each optometrist has a quota, so Portland Free Clinic rotates their referral calls across each of these branch offices.
Vision for Portland Adult Ed students – once per year Portland Adult Education (PAE), Eyecare Medical Group, Maine Lions Club and Friends of Portland Adult Education provided free vision screenings and eyeglasses to PAE students.
Online
Zennioptical – can get eyeglasses for $10-$15 if you have a prescription
Additionally
The financial issue comes to a head when glasses are necessary, the Lions Clubs often have resources to help, including used eyeglasses which might contain a close enough set of lenses to be helpful.
DHHS social workers may have vision rehabilitation resources, especially if treatable eye problems prevent an individual’s employment.
On a limited basis, people with medical eye disorders and no health insurance or funds can be seen at Maine Eye Center.
Primary Care
Greater Portland Health
(Formerly Portland Community Health Center)
180 Park Avenue 207-874-2141
63 Preble Street (walk-ins only)
Maine Medical Center
22 Bramhall Street
207-871-0111
Mercy Hospital
144 State Street
207-879-3040
Maine Medical Center Family Clinic
272 Congress Street
207-874-2466
Care Partners
241 Oxford Street
207-662-7000 or 877-626-1684
Need card to access free emergency care
Maine Access Immigrant Network (MAIN)
237 Oxford Street, Suite 25A
207-552-1800
Community health workers
Pregnancy & Birth
The Community Doula Birth Program is actively seeking pregnant woman in need of a doula to support the pregnant mother and her partner during the birth. Information about their low-cost program connecting doulas-in-training with low-income families is available on their website.
Maine Families
Free program for families who are pregnant/have a young baby. Educators do home visits and speak with parents about parenting and child development. They also have resources to help with cribs, car seats, etc.
Renforcement de Capacites decisionnelles : Mere – Enfant (the Birth Empowerment Project) A series of multilingual videos aimed to educate health and social service providers and empower perinatal parents to utilize their voice and choice when navigating reproductive healthcare systems. The videos are not meant to offer medical guidance, but rather, explanations of common reproductive health practices and procedures in the United States.
Mental Health & Therapy
For crisis call 774-HELP (4357): Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Greater Portland Health
180 Park Avenue
207-874-2141
Primary care, interpreters available
Gateway Community Services
999 Forest Avenue, Suite 7
207-536-1590
Case management and counseling for immigrants – need MaineCare or insurance
Ingraham Mental Health
237 Oxford Street
207-774-4357
Youth Alternatives – Ingraham partners with communities and individuals to deliver a full spectrum of social services and mental health care that begins prenatally and continues throughout the lifespan.
Maine Behavioral Healthcare
165 Lancaster St. 207-874-1030
12 Westbrook Common, Westbrook 207-856-1500
Provides a seamless and compassionate continuum of care through a community of providers collaborating to promote recovery and the overall mental and physical well-being of those we are privileged to serve.
Opportunity Alliance Adult Mental Health Services
510 Cumberland, Portland
207-523-5049 or 207-553-5800
Mental Health Crisis Hotline
207-774-HELP
Family Hope
Website of mental health resources in Maine
Catholic Charities, Support, and Recovery
Offers case management and care coordination for patients with MaineCare
Center for Grieving Children
The Center’s mission is to provide loving support that encourages the safe expression of grief and loss and fosters each individual’s resilience and emotional well-being. The Center reaches individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, and relies on financial contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, United Way, and special events.
Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services (MEIRS)
222 St. John Street
Portland
207-241-8350
Case Management and mental health services to people with insurance.
Medical Bills
Tips Regarding Medical Bills You Receive
If:
You have medical bills that you cannot pay OR
They are bills you believe are not accurate
AND:
You are preparing to file for asylum but do not yet have your “A”-Number issued by USCIS (Immigration) AND
You intend to stay and live in Maine
There is help!
If the bills you received were from Maine Medical Center, Maine Health, Greater Portland Health, Nordx, or Spectrum, follow these steps to cancel the bills:
First: Apply for MaineCare. Online at: www.mymaineconnection.gov. You will receive an application MaineCare ID number showing you have applied, even if you don’t have an eligibility appointment and decision yet. Or you can apply in person at the Maine Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) at the Jetport but you might have a long wait before you speak with someone.
Second: Apply for Free Care. Go to Maine Medical Center (22 Bramhall Street, 207-887-5100 or 335 Brighton Avenue (going towards Westbrook, 207-662-8000). Ask for the Financial Services office, and tell them you need to apply for Free Care.
When you apply for Free Care take with you:
A letter from the shelter (if you are staying there) saying you are living there and that you intend to find a permanent home in Maine; OR if you are living in your own apartment or house, a piece of mail with your name and address on it (an electric bill, a letter from the clinic, or from USCIS);
Your DHHS MaineCare application ID number even if you do not have a decision yet.
A print-out from General Assistance with how much you have received in the past few months.
Maine Health will process an application for Free Care, and will send you a letter saying you are unable to pay and that the bills should stop coming.
Third: Call the Billing Department and explain you applied for Free Care and MaineCare, you are waiting for their decision and you want them to cancel your bill.
Fourth: When you get the decision mail them a copy.
Billing Departments:
Spectrum Medical Group: 800-213-8382
Nordx 207-396-7820 or 888-393-4243
Greater Portland Health at 207-874-2141
Maine Health at 1-866-804-2499 or 207-887-5100
Dental
Community Dental
190 Park Avenue
low cost/free preventative and emergency care
207-874-1028
UNE Oral Health Center
716 Stevens Avenue
207-221-4900
UNE Dental Hygiene Clinic
716 Stevens Avenue
207-221-4900
The Root Cellar Dental Clinic
94 Washington Avenue
207-774-3197
Only for residents of Munjoy Hill
Maine Dental Association
207-622-7900
Free Dental Day – usually in November
Greater Portland Health
207-874-2141
Dental services access map maintained by Children's Oral Health Network of Maine
Jessie Albert Clinic in Bath provides low-cost or MaineCare reimbursable orthodontic services to patients in the Bath-Brunswick area
Car Seats
Getting a free car seat
Hospitals usually provide new parents with a car seat if they don’t have one.
A state program provides car seats to families meeting WIC income guidelines. Parents are taught to properly fit the safety seat to the child and how to correctly install the safety seat in their vehicle by a certified CPS Technician. You must have a current State of Maine Driver’s License or State Identification. Fill out the referral form to request a car seat.
MANA is sometimes able to provide car seats, email Amy if you need one.
Safety seat fitting stations
Located throughout the State of Maine, these sites provide parents with education about keeping their child safe when riding in the car by correctly using a child safety seat or safety belt. One-on-one lessons are offered by a certified CPS Technician explaining the correct use and installation of car safety seats and safety belts.
For a location near you, visit Safe Kids Maine
The Maine Law
Maine’s Child Passenger Safety (CPS) law is one of the strongest in the country. The law requires that:
Children who weigh less than 40 lbs. must ride in a child safety seat;
Children who weigh less than 40 lbs. must ride in a child safety seat;
Children who weigh at least 40 lbs., but less than 80 lbs. and less than 8 yrs. old, ride in a federally approved child restraint system;
Children who are more than 8 yrs. old and less than 18 yrs. old and more than 4 feet 9 inches in height should be properly secured in a safety belt and;
A child under 12 yrs. old and who weighs less than 100 lbs. is properly secured in the back seat of the vehicle, if possible.
Paying for Healthcare
Health Coverage
Maine Equal Justice is the best resource for up-to-date information about health insurance and health care options for people with low- or no incomes and/ or noncitizen status
Mainecare
Maine’s medicaid program - free health insurance for those who qualify
Administered through DHHS - apply online
Eligibility information - Maine children under 21, regardless of immigration status, qualify if their household meets the income guidelines
Community Free Clinic
Portland has a free clinic for uninsured low-income adults who live in Cumberland County
“Free Care” and similar programs
Large healthcare providers in Maine have their own income-dependent programs for patients who cannot pay. People with no income should be able to get essential healthcare at no cost (except the cost of paperwork and time!!). Free Care is the name of the program at MaineHealth, other providers have their own version.
If someone receives a medical bill they can’t pay, DO NOT IGNORE IT but also DON’T PANIC! Call the number on the bill and explain you/ they have no money. Be prepared to sit on hold and jump through some hoops to prove income eligibility, but often the bill can be erased or reduced or at least a payment plan arranged. Don’t ignore it, or it will go to collections and become a bigger problem!