JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If you're struggling to make ends meet, a medical emergency or illness is the last thing you need.
If you don't have insurance, a trip to the doctor can take your spending money for an entire month.
If you can't afford to go to the doctor, you may put it off as long as possible, making yourself way worse.
The nurse practitioner who pushed to open the facility was so tired of seeing that happen, he decided to do something about it, heading back to medical school and opening a low cost clinic.
It's a common problem.
Susan Leadbeater has no insurance and said it was keeping her from seeing a medical professional when she really needed to.
"I have my own small business and I can't afford group health insurance nor health insurance.... So when I get sick, this is where I come," said Leadbeater.
Alaric Health and Wellness is a clinic on Edgewood Avenue opened by this nurse practitioner who wanted to make a difference.
"Because I see people everyday who don't have insurance, who need to see a doctor and they just don't," said Jim Whited, a nurse practitioner.
If you're sick, need an exam, a check up, blood work or more. Your basic office visit at Alaric Health and Wellness is just $45, even for the unisured.
Open for about a year, the low cost health care clinic is changing and even saving lives. Catching life threatening issues for people that otherwise may have waited months to see a doctor.
"I had a 47 year old plumber who didn't have insurance who was having a heart attack, we got him screened and to the hospital. We had a 27 year-old with a clotting disorder, and she's now being treated," said Whited.
The stories go on and on. As a small clinic, they can't do everything here. But if they can't help you, they'll help you find treatment, and within your budget.
"If we don't have the resources here we will refer you out or try to work with several agencies in the county that can get you help," said Whited.
There are some criteria if they refer you elsewhere, but they will help you work them.
Alaric is located on Edgewood in the Avondale area. Appointments start at $45 and flu shots are as low as $20.
For more information on Alaric Health and Wellness, call (904) 384-9007or (904) 619-3413.