HANDS
of Saint Lucie County
HANDS of St. Lucie County provides primary healthcare services and access to a continuum of healthcare to qualified, low-income, uninsured, adult residents of St. Lucie Countty
OUR BACKGROUND
In 2006, a small group of visionaries from within the medical community, the St. Lucie County Health Department and local social service agencies began advocating for the creation of an indigent healthcare facility in St. Lucie county.
On Oct. 24, 2010, the dreams of opening a free medical facility for uninsured residents of St. Lucie County became a reality when HANDS officially opened.
HANDS of St. Lucie County is a registered 501(c)3, non-profit organization dedicated to serving the medical and dental needs of the growing uninsured population.
HANDS of St. Lucie County is an affiliate of the nationally recognized Volunteers in Medicine organization and observes a “Culture of Caring” philosophy that recognizes the strength of those in need and is respectful of their dignity.
PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES ARE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ONE’S OVERALL WELL-BEING
WHAT WE DO
The Hands Clinic is the only free and charitable clinic in St. Lucie County. Opened on October 25, 2010, we are currently the medical home for more than 1,600 low-income, uninsured adults aged 19 to 64. We provide primary care, vision care,
gynecological care, chiropractic care, diabetes care, health education classes on nutrition and diabetes, dental services, an online prescription program, smoking cessation classes, mental health counseling, and access to an extensive pool of local healthcare specialists.
PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE
Primary healthcare services are an essential part of one’s overall well-being. Many people in need of medical attention lack health insurance leaving them thinking they have nowhere to turn.
HANDS of St. Lucie County collaborates with partner physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers to increase access to primary healthcare, to reduce unnecessary visits to local emergency rooms, and to provide a continuum of care to qualified, low income, adult residents of St. Lucie County.
ADULT DENTAL CLINIC
HANDS’ Dental Clinic serves adults ages 18-64 who are uninsured and qualified as HANDS patients. Local practicing dentists volunteer their time to assist those in need. Services include oral evaluations, digital panoramic imaging, x-rays, composites, extractions, periodontal maintenance, and oral hygiene instruction.
- DIABETES AND NUTRITION
- SMOKING CESSATION
- CHRONIC DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT
HEALTH AND EDUCATION
To increase awareness and health management skills, HANDS of St. Lucie County offers free classes at which HANDS registered Nutritionists and Counselors help patients plan for better health and a better life.
PATIENT PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM
An essential component to modern medical treatment as access to pharmaceuticals. Many drug companies have medicine available at no cost to those who can qualify, but this process can be challenging for the novice to navigate.
HANDS patients are assigned a Patient Navigator to help them secure free or reduced-cost prescription mediations available through the pharmaceutical companies and other providers.
VISION CARE
HANDS of St. Lucie County’s state-of-the-art vision screening provides patients with an on-site Ophthalmologist or Optometrist or with a referral for basic eye exams to more complex issues such as cataracts and glaucoma.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE
HANDS’ volunteer Psychologist will see qualified patients as needed for counseling. Physicians may determine a patient’s need to be referred to partnering healthcare providers for long-term care or pharmaceutical management.
PEDIATRIC DENTAL PROGRAM
Dental disease is the number one childhood disease in this country. An estimated 51-million school hours are lost each year because of dental-related illness.
But dental disease is 100-percent preventable.
To address this, HANDS of St. Lucie County’s pediatric dental staff members visit schools, summer camp programs, and early learning centers to provide screenings, sealants, and referrals to more than 5,000 children annually.
Although children are not treated in the HANDS Clinic, the HANDS Pediatric Dental Program offers a collaborative solution to contribute to the oral health of St. Lucie County children.
LOOKING TO APPLY?
The HANDS Clinic may provide health care at no charge to you. To be eligible, you must be a resident of St. Lucie County, 18-64 years of age, have lived in St. Lucie County continuously for the past six (6) months, and be within a certain income bracket. You may qualify if you do not have any health insurance, Medicaid or Medicare, and do not qualify for Veterans benefits.
Necessary Documents to Apply
With current residence for: Driver’s License OR State ID.
- If PO Box is address, then proof of actual residence
We must have the applicant’s card.
- If you do not have your Social Security Card, call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 Local phone # 772-336-2960; 6810 S US 1, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952; 8:30am–3:30pm M-F
- Original of Current Electric or Telephone Bill
- Lease or letter of support from person providing shelter
- 2 pieces of official mail from government agency or bank
- Must bring proof of income for BOTH spouses
- 1 month of current pay stubs
- Letter from your employer on letterhead stating your current wages.
- Letters from friends, relatives, agencies that provide you with money, food, clothing and/or shelter. These must be signed and dated with the dollar value/amount of support provided per week or month. Click here for a sample letter.
- Social Security, Alimony, Child Support, Unemployment, Workers’ Compensation, Disability verification.
Must be an official copy of last year’s tax return or Letter of Non-Filing. Note: you must supply an official copy of last year’s tax return or Letter of Non-Filing. Copies of self-completed tax returns are not accepted.
Free copies can be obtained from the IRS by calling 844-545-5640. The IRS will mail the documents to you within 10-14 days. Or you can click this link for an IRS Form 4506-T, which you can download and fill out to request the information. Mail it to:
Internal Revenue Service
RAIVS Team
P.O. Box 9941
Mail Stop 6734
Ogden, UT 84409
You may apply online at www.myflorida.com/accessflorida or go to an Access Florida Office at the following locations:
Your Plate
1203 Orange Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL
UP
2520 Orange Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL
You will receive a denial letter within 30 days of the application. The letter may appear online sooner, so it is important to keep your username and password for login.
Because of the demand for services at the Clinic, there will be a waiting period for appointments, so it’s very important that you bring ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS to your screening session. Without these documents, we cannot determine your eligibility. Once you are deemed eligible, an appointment will be made with a provider. Eligibility to remain a patient is determined annually.
IMPORTANT: Clients may be denied service for medical non-compliance, abusive, inappropriate or disruptive behavior, or providing false information, or documents. If you are denied services you may apply to the appeals committee.
Next Steps
Looking to save time? Click the button below to download the forms we’ll need from you. Fill them out and bring them along with the necessary documents from the eligibility checklist. If you are unable to print the forms we can print them for you at the clinic, but you will need to come 15 minutes prior to your appointment to ensure completion.
WANT TO DONATE TO HANDS?
Your tax-deductible donations go directly to provide healthcare to HANDS of St. Lucie County patients. Donated medical and dental supplies are utilized to support daily operations.
HANDS continues to accept new volunteers. If you are a physician, nurse, dentist, hygienist, or medical assistant, please consider donating your time and talent for just a few hours a week. It will make all the difference to those in need.
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS