Lake County Health Department notes
Lake County Health Department
Low-cost health care: The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center offers several programs to pregnant women, mothers and children who live in Lake County.
Fees for services are assessed based on the services needed, with adjustments made depending on the individual or family income. Third party billing for Medicaid or Medicare is available. No one is denied services due to inability to pay.
The Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children provides nutrition education and supplemental foods to mothers and their children under the age of 5. For an appointment, call (847) 377-8420.
The Prenatal Program offers medical care and health education during pregnancy to qualified low-income women. To make an appointment, call (847) 377-8400.
Medical care and well-child examinations for infants and children are also available at the health centers located in Zion, North Chicago, Round Lake Beach, Highland Park and Waukegan. Parents who wish to bring their children should call (847) 377-8400 for information or to make an appointment.
HIV Testing Available: The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center offers free anonymous and confidential HIV testing Monday through Friday at the Belvidere Medical Building, 2400 Belvidere Road, Waukegan, Room 132.
For more information on HIV testing, or to make an appointment at the Waukegan clinic, call the Health Department at (847) 377-8450.
Confidential STD Clinics: The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center offers confidential clinics for the screening and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases each week at Belvidere Medical Building, 2400 Belvidere Road, Waukegan. Clinics are available Tuesdays, with registration beginning at 8 a.m., and Thursdays, with registration beginning at 3 p.m.
Patients can call up to one week in advance to schedule an appointment. The appointment will ensure that a patient will be seen during that clinic, but does not guarantee a specific order or time at which the patient will be seen. Appointments cannot be made more than one week in advance of the clinic date.
Fees are on a sliding scale determined by ability to pay. A $10 co-pay is required at the time of service (this excludes high school students and Medicaid clients). However, no one will be refused treatment due to inability to pay. For more information, call the Health Department at (847) 377-8450.
Women's Health Care: The Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center offers a wide range of women's health clinics including family planning and prenatal care services. The Health Department's Family Planning Clinic offers gynecological examinations, pregnancy tests, health and preconception counseling and community resources. The clinic also offers counseling on birth control options and provides contraceptives.
The Health Department's Prenatal Program also offers services to pregnant women. Participants are encouraged to enter the program when they are six to 13 weeks pregnant. They receive nutrition counseling and education on maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Clients are assigned to providers who will manage their pregnancy and provide care during hospitalization.
A woman with a normal pregnancy will visit the Prenatal Program clinic 13 times over the course of her pregnancy to help ensure her health and the health of her baby. During visits, women have their weight, blood pressure, and their baby's heartbeat checked. If complications arise, the patient is referred to the appropriate provider. After delivery, the mother returns to the clinic for postpartum care.
All Lake County residents are eligible to access these services. Fees for Family Planning services are assessed based on income and services provided. Third party billing for Medicaid or Medicare is available. No one is denied services due to inability to pay. For the Prenatal Program, clients must qualify and apply for Public Aid. Applying for Public Aid for pregnancy is offered through our Kidcare staff at the Belvidere Medical Building.
Services are provided at the following sites:
• Belvidere Medical Building, 2400 Belvidere Road, Waukegan;
• North Chicago Health Center, 2215 14th St., North Chicago;
• Mid-Lakes Medical Building, 224 West Clarendon, Round Lake Beach;
• Northeast Satellite, 1819 27th St., Zion;
• North Shore Health Center, 1840 Green Bay Road, Highland Park.
Clinic times and days vary depending on the location. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Health Department at: (847) 377-8400.
Cancer screenings: Free breast and cervical cancer screenings are offered to eligible Lake County women through the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP), located at the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center. Through the program, women can receive, at no cost to them, a complete medical examination, a clinical breast exam and a pap test, as well as referral for a free mammogram at a local hospital. Ongoing yearly exams and medical follow-up are provided.
Women 35 years of age or older, who are underinsured or uninsured, and whose family income does not exceed 200% of federal poverty guidelines are eligible for this free program. Examinations are done at the clinics of the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center, also through private providers, and are by appointment. To find out if you are eligible, please call the Health Department at (847) 377-8430.
Caregiver support group: The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center offers a free, ongoing support group for caregivers. To qualify for this group, participants must either regularly assist a person who is 60 and older, or be 60 or older and care for a grandchild or young person. The support group meets from 1:30-3:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Warren Township Senior Center, 17801 W. Washington St., in Gurnee.
Caregivers often feel stress as they help others who are unable to manage on their own. The meetings help participants create more balance in their lives. The meetings provide support, information on resources available and fellowship. At each meeting there is time for group discussions in which participants share issues, experiences and suggestions on what may or may not work in a certain situation.
The support group meetings are free. For more information, call the Lake County Health Department at: (847) 377-8310.
Crisis counseling: The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center offers walk-in and telephone crisis counseling and referrals for Lake County residents experiencing emotional stress. This is a service of the Crisis Care Program at 3002 Grand Avenue in Waukegan.
Counselors are available 24 hours a day. For assistance, call (847) 377-8088. A TDD, hearing impaired phone line is also available at (847) 360-2905.