Reminder: Free Medical, Dental, Vision Clinic in Oakland March 22nd-25th

Reminder to anyone without health insurance or who is underinsured and needing medical, dental and/or vision care in Oakland or Northern California. After its successful free clinic in Oakland last year, the Remote Area Medical (RAM) mobile clinic plans to come back to Oakland this year and provide free medical and dental care to thousands from March 22nd through 25th. Last year, RAM held successful free medical clinics in Oakland and Sacrament which together provided care to nearly 7,000 people.

RAM is planning on offering the following:

DENTAL: Cleanings, fillings, extractions. Pediatric dentistry is available.

VISION: Vision exam and free prescription glasses made onsite. (NOTE: As time and supplies permit – May not be able to make glasses for everyone.)

MEDICAL: Pediatric exams; adult physicals & medical consults (including diabetes and hypertension); chiropractors; acupuncture; blood lab work; chest X-rays; medication assistance; and many other medical specialties available.

Be sure to arrive early. Lines can be long and start early in the morning; numbers will be given out around 3:00 AM each day prior to the clinic opening. The clinic registration opens at 5:30 AM, and patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. For the best chance of being seen, plan to arrive by 3:00 AM on the day you wish to receive treatment. Only one number will be issued to each person in line.  You are allowed to wait for someone who cannot wait for themselves (i.e. for medical reasons), but you will not be able to get a second number for yourself if you are waiting on behalf of someone else.

If you do not have a number by about 6 a.m. you probably will not get served. The clinics fill up fast so you will not be able to arrive later in the day and still receive service.  Because of the large number of patients seen each day, it’s suggested that you determine what your greatest need is (dental, medical, vision), and proceed first to that particular treatment area.  Be prepared for cool weather and bring snacks. Once registered, be prepared for long waits before being seen by a doctor.

During RAM‘s free healthcare clinic in Oakland last year, people lined up for days in advance in order to receive free medical treatment. Volunteers were able to treat thousands of patients, many of whom had lost their jobs and their health insurance in the economic downturn. Some supplies such as a prescription eyeglasses are only available until they run out.

For more information on RAM and its schedule to provide free medical care, visit the RAM California website.

Are you planning on visiting a free healthcare clinic this year? Tell us about it in our forum!

Related posts:

1. Remote Area Medical Will Offer Free Medical, Dental, Vision Care in Oakland March 22nd-25th
2. Remote Area Medical Free Medical, Dental, Vision Clinic at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum April 9th-12th
3. Remote Area Medical’s Free Medical, Vision, Dental Clinic in Sacramento Starts Today, Oakland Clinic Starts April 9th
4. Remote Area Medical (RAM) Will Offer Free Medical, Dental, Vision Care in Oakland, Sacramento, Oklahoma City in 2012
5. Reminder: Remote Area Medical (RAM) Offers Free Medical, Dental, Vision Care in Virginia on July 22nd, 23rd, 24th