Senior benefits in Caddo County, Oklahoma

The ASCOG Area Agency on Aging, based in Duncan, serves adults 60 and older, family caregivers, and grandparents raising grandchildren in Caddo County and seven other south-central Oklahoma counties. Services include information and help finding programs, meals at senior nutrition centers and home-delivered meals, caregiver support such as respite and chore services, free Medicare counseling, free civil legal help through Legal Aid of Oklahoma, the long-term care ombudsman, and rides through Red River Transportation (1-800-524-5552). In Caddo County, senior meals are provided by Delta Nutrition at 580-219-5089. For information and assistance, call 580-736-7965.

Estimated service value: $200–$2,000 a year

Caddo County has no full Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) center. Instead, OKDHS runs an Access Point inside the Caddo County Health Department at 216 W Broadway St, Anadarko, OK 73005, open Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and noon to 5 p.m. Services there include SNAP food benefits, child care, and medical (SoonerCare) help. No EBT cards are issued at this location. Many services can also be done online at okdhslive.org. For help with benefits applications, call 405-522-5050. To report abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult (Adult Protective Services), call 1-800-522-3511.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Carnegie Tri-County Municipal Hospital and Carnegie Medical Clinic say no one will be denied care because they cannot pay. They offer free or discounted care on a sliding fee scale based on family size and yearly income, using the current Federal Poverty Guidelines. People who qualify pay no more than a small fee of up to $5 and never more than insured patients are generally billed. Patients on Medicaid may be approved without a full application. Outside services, such as reference lab tests, drugs and a consulting radiologist's reading, are not covered. Fill out the Financial Assistance Application and attach proof of identity, income and insurance. You can apply up to 240 days after your first bill. Approval covers care back one year and six months ahead. Call the hospital at 580-654-1050.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Rural Wellness Anadarko Hospital (formerly The Physicians' Hospital in Anadarko) has a financial assistance policy for emergency and other medically necessary care. If your family's gross income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you can get full assistance and owe nothing. Between 200% and 300%, you get partial help on a sliding scale, paying the lesser of 20% to 80% of charges or the amount generally billed to insured patients. You may also qualify without income paperwork if you get SoonerCare, SNAP, WIC, or live in subsidized housing. Some doctors who bill separately may not be covered. Apply any time within 240 days of your first bill. Mail the application to the Business Office Manager, 1002 Central Boulevard, Anadarko, OK 73005, or call the Business Office at 405-247-2551, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Red River Public Transportation Service, run by Community Action Development Corporation (CADC) in Frederick, provides rural public transportation in Caddo County and other western Oklahoma counties. Rides are open to the public and go to medical appointments, dialysis, work, shopping, and more; trips can also be scheduled to Oklahoma City and Lawton. All vehicles are lift- or ramp-equipped. Seniors 55 and older and people with disabilities pay lower rates on longer trips: for example $20.00 instead of $30.00 for 31–50 miles, and $30.00 instead of $45.00 for 51–100 miles (round-trip mileage). The ASCOG Area Agency on Aging also partners with Red River so eligible adults 60 and older can get rides to senior nutrition centers and medical appointments after a brief assessment. Call toll free 1-800-524-5552.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year