Free Medical Care Coming To All Houston ISD Campuses Next School Year

Article Referred By Lori Ramos

Houston ISD to offer free telehealth services to all campuses after expanding partnership with national provider

The program is funded through a combination of insurance and fees. Hazel Health will bill for services on behalf of students with health insurance through their parents. A portion of Hazel Health’s platform fees are used to offset any out-of-pocket expenses not covered by insurance. Students with no insurance receive free care too. Hazel Health verifies uninsured status after sign-up.

HOUSTON – Houston ISD announced it will be expanding its partnership with a national healthcare provider to ensure students have free access to virtual doctor’s visits.

In a press release, the district announced the expansion with Hazel Health, one of the nation’s largest providers of school-based telehealth, is part of its “Continuum of Care” model.

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Currently, the telehealth services are offered at 88 HISD campuses but will be available district-wide during the 2024-2025 school year.

“HISD is reimagining what it means to meet students’ needs in and out of the classroom,” said Najah Callendar, senior executive director of external engagement for HISD. “Hazel Health’s telemedicine services are one of the most exciting components of our Continuum of Care approach, and we’re thrilled to make these supports available to every student in the district.”

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Through this expanded partnership, HISD will be investing nearly $2 million with Hazel Health to provide:

  • Telehealth services for every HISD student at no cost to the student or their family.
  • Resources to support school nurses in caring for students more efficiently and effectively during the school day.
  • Convenient virtual appointments, where the average wait time to see a doctor is four minutes, ensuring most students can be treated promptly and return to class.
  • Behavioral and mental health counseling with therapists who deliver specialized support across a wide range of student needs.
  • Access to a clinical support team to help families navigate long-term treatment plans.
  • Immediate access to common over-the-counter medicines as well as quick and convenient prescription refills.

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“Expanding Hazel’s virtual services will promote health equity in the community by ensuring all students can access the care they need,” said Hazel Health Chief Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles. “Now, when any HISD student needs care, they can get it at their school or a nearby Sunrise Center with no out-of-pocket costs to their family. Students will receive high-quality care regardless of their immigration status, ability to pay, or whether they have health insurance. Our partnership with HISD is removing barriers so students can come to class healthy and ready to learn and thrive.”

Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ahmed Humble

Historian, educator, writer, expert on “The Simpsons,” amateur photographer, essayist, film & tv reviewer and race/religious identity scholar. Joined KPRC 2 in Spring 2024 but has been featured in various online newspapers and in the Journal of South Texas’ Fall 2019 issue.

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