Where can I get these health tests for free/cheap in Columbus Ohio?

August 8, 2013 3:10 PM

I am a poor immigrant woman and I just got a job as an interpreter, but I need some health tests to take the job. I won't be able to take the job if I have to pay the price I was quoted at a clinic for over $500. Can anyone recommend me a place to get these done for free/cheap?

I meet most federal poverty guidelines for low income. I found this site but it seems they can't do most of what I need. Al help is apreciated, thanks.

□ Tuberculosis (TB) Test (this must be updated yearly)
□ Negative 2-Step TB Skin Test (Mantoux PPD/TST) or Negative QuantiFERON-TB Gold Blood Test (QFT) If results of skin test or blood test are positive, also submit:
□ Negative chest X-ray (this must be updated every 5 years)
□ Physician documented treatment of latent TB infection (antibiotic series)
□ Immunity confirmation – Immunization/Vaccination or Titer Test
□ MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) – 2 shot series or titer test lab results for all three
□ Chickenpox (Varicella) – 2 shot series or titer test lab results
□ Seasonal Influenza (annual flu shot)
□ Physician document stating that you are in good health & free of contagious disease
(Physical Exam)

posted by kikithekat to Health & Fitness (12 answers total)

Any chance the employer will pay? Anytime I've needed a drug test or a health screening to get a job the employer has picked up the tab.
posted by COD at 3:35 PM on August 8, 2013

The first four of tese tests are the same thing. You need to prove that you dont have TB (tuberculosis) and you can do that by either getting a two step TB skin test or a Chest Xray or by proving you were treated for TB. Most public health clinics do this for free or you may have had it done when you immigrated.
The immunity confirmation is a blood test that covers the next two items so you would need a doctor to order those. Most walk in clinics will do that. In most places you can get flu shots at a drug store walk in clinic or public health department.
Generally start with public health department and low income clinics.
are you sure your future employer wont do these tests for you when you are hired?
posted by SyraCarol at 3:36 PM on August 8, 2013

Response by poster: I'm a contractor. And their policy is that they will not pay for these tests is what they told me, I could always ask them to make an exception I guess...
posted by kikithekat at 4:08 PM on August 8, 2013

I can't help with where to get these tests for free or cheap, but if you can't find such a place on a tight deadline, consider applying for a Modest Needs grant.
posted by third word on a random page at 4:28 PM on August 8, 2013

State Public health department may be able to help.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:33 PM on August 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

I know it's still a decent chunk of change but assuming you don't have TB, The Little Clinic would bring your total down to $348, including the varicella shot. If you had chicken pox and the MMR vaccine already, titers would be cheaper: Accesa Labs will do MMR for $99 and varicella for $59, putting your total cost at $261 (or a few dollars cheaper if you "like" their facebook page, apparently). Alternatively, if you happen to have them, I've been able to skip over titers entirely by sending in a copy of hand-written immunisation records.
posted by teremala at 5:11 PM on August 8, 2013

Have you tried HandsOn Central Ohio? http://handsoncentralohio.org/contact

They do have some community clinics listed in their directory.

These results came back when I searched for "adult vaccinations"
http://www.211centralohio.org/MatchList.aspx?k;;0;;N;0;17604;Adolescent/adult Immunizations;vaccinations;All;28368
posted by whistle pig at 7:42 PM on August 8, 2013

Two resource lists:

* Free/Affordable Clinics in Franklin County

* Free/Lo-Cost/Sliding Scale clinics in Ohio (sorted by city)

The "Physician Free Clinic" on Broad Street (found on the second list) might be a free option for you, based on the description.
posted by 1367 at 7:46 PM on August 8, 2013

I had very much the same tests done for a college course I took, and I live outside of Akron - I went here: http://www.cantonmercy.org/whss and i was able to get everything but the vaccinations through their Work Health & Safety Services. It wasn't free but it was much less than $500. You need to pass a tb test (if you fail the initial stick one, you go to those more indepth ones), you need to either prove you don't need those vaccinations with a titer blood test, or get the shots, and a quick once-over exam from the doctor that takes like two minutes. Google work health & safety columbus and you'll find a couple of results and you can pick which one you're closest to, and give them a call to find out how much and what the process is.
posted by lemniskate at 8:09 PM on August 8, 2013

Often places that see patients on a sliding scale will bundle lab work into the visit fee, so you might ask about that. Hopefully you would just need the PPD and the MMRV titers and maybe the flu shot--it may not even be available yet. If you have your vaccination records, your doctor will probably just copy them over.

If worst comes to worst, you can probably set up a payment plan with the clinic.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 8:09 PM on August 8, 2013

You don't say where you've immigrated from, but if you are from a country that routinely administers TB vaccine (BCG) there's no need to repeat a TB skin test if that incurrs expense to you. It is very often positive from antibodies developed from being vaccinated. You can go straight to TB blood tests or a chest X ray, which will show if you are actively infected. It might be worth asking if a negative chest X ray is sufficient, since a chest X ray is generally very cheap and Quantiferon testing is not.

Since TB is taken very seriously by Public Health departments, they might be willing to test you without cost. There have been recent TB outbreaks among immigrants that have reinforced the need to be vigilant.

Here's a link to the CDC site about TB testing:

http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/vaccines/
posted by citygirl at 10:21 AM on August 9, 2013

Have you called Columbus Public Health or Franklin County Public Health? I interpreted that site as having *most* of what you need, and it also mentioned giving referrals. I'd bet if you call and explain they may be able to help you out.

Also, a friend volunteers with Franklin County Medical Reserves, and they offer free clinics from time-to-time. I wasn't able to find a schedule, but I'm sure the Public Health office could.
posted by pixiecrinkle at 10:48 AM on August 9, 2013