There are a number of private practices for primary care, pediatrics, dentistry, optic care, mental health, and a number of other specialties in Watertown and the nearby area. There are two major nearby hospitals in the city of Waterbury, right over the town line, Waterbury Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital. Most people I know from the area were born in one of these two hospitals, my brother and I were St. Mary’s babies and this was even the hospital I was rushed too when I sliced my knee open and needed stitches at my 10th birthday party after going down a slip and slide (still unsure as to how that happened, exactly). As you can see, there are plenty of healthcare services available to the members of the Watertown community, that is, of course, assuming you are insured.
Medicare and Medicaid Patients
For those members of the Watertown population who qualify for healthcare coverage through Medicare or Medicaid, a number of these practices and the local hospitals offer their services to these residents. Moreover, considering that the situation of these residents may make their ability to access healthcare more difficult, Medicaid members qualify for the Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT) Program which provides transportation to and from medical appointments. You can find more information about this resource at https://portal.ct.gov/dss/Health-And-Home-Care/Non-Emergency-Medical-Transportation. Now, what about people that are not insured either through an employer and do not qualify for one of these government programs?
Non-Insured Patients
The Community Health Center of Waterbury (only a few minutes away from Watertown) is a truly great establishment for healthcare resources. There are a number of providers that offer a variety of different services such as urgent care, primary care, dental care, behavioral health services, as well as many others. I would say that one of the most beneficial services that is offered at the Community Health Center is not only the fact that they provide care to all, regardless of financial situations, but that they also help people who are uninsured apply for public insurance programs. A similar establishment, known as the StayWell Health Center, is located in Waterbury and offers essentially the same resources specifically noting their “sliding fee” discount offer to those that are uninsured and must pay for services out-of-pocket.
COVID-19 Updates
In terms of the current pandemic of COVID-19, the Watertown officials have been doing a fairly good job of keeping the community informed on the situation as well as noting a variety of resources for the public to reach out to during this time. On a lighter note, the Republican American, the major newspaper of the Greater Waterbury area, just published this article about all of the good deeds being done by the Watertown residents to help their community – check it out!