FAQs • Abilene, TX • CivicEngage

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Health Department

1. Do I need an appointment to receive immunizations at the Health District?

Yes. We are requiring all Immunization Services to be scheduled appointments at this time. Please call 325-692-5600 to schedule your appointment. Immunization hours are Monday through Friday, 9 until 11:45 am and 1 until 4 pm. In addition, immunizations are also given until 6 pm on the 1st Tuesday of each month. Be sure to bring any shot records you have for your child when you come to the clinic.

Due to COVID, services may be interrupted, delayed or closed. Please call for the most up to date information.

Resources

You may also contact the Health District at 325-692-5600 for information on the vaccination requirements for the areas you plan to visit.

2. Does the Health District investigate communicable diseases?: The Health District investigates communicable diseases and can be reached at 325-692-5600. Doctors, hospitals, and laboratories are required to report certain communicable diseases to the Health District. Reported diseases are investigated in order to minimize risks of transmitting the disease to others, and to determine appropriate public health interventions to reduce risks to the community.

3. Does the Health District accept credit or debit cards?: At this time, the Health District does not accept credit or debit cards. Cash and checks are accepted.

4. Does the Health District offer HIV Testing?

Confidential testing for HIV is available at the MERCY Health Care Center located at 1902 Shelton Street. Rapid HIV testing is available to patients that qualify medically. Testing and treatment for other sexually transmitted diseases are also offered for a small co-pay.

Due to COVID, services may be interrupted, delayed or closed. Please call for the most up to date information.

Walk-in Clinic

The STD clinic is a walk-in clinic that opens at 8 am, Monday through Thursday. Patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis with a limited number of available appointments each day. Consult for Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services are also available through the STD clinic by appointment only. Free STD testing is the first Monday of every month from 8 to 10 am and 1 to 3 pm.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call 325-676-6634, ext. 202.

Please note: Free STD testing is not currently available due to COVID19.

5. Does the Health District provide medical care for the uninsured?: The Health District provides medical care for uninsured men, women, and children through various grants and programs that are based on the financial eligibility of the individual/family. Your level of coverage and types of services provided are dependent upon the program you qualify for. Please come to the clinic with proof of income such as one month of pay stubs, social security award letter or taxes, and a valid ID to apply. If you do not have these items please speak to our eligibility specialist to see how we may still be able to help you. Please apply at MERCY Health Care Center located at 1902 Shelton Street, and call 325-676-6634.

6. What are the costs for medical care at the Health District?: Costs for medical care may vary depending on the service you need and the program you are eligible for. While some programs cover costs completely others may require the patient to pay a portion of their charges according to their income. You will be fully informed of your financial responsibility prior to receiving services.

7. What family planning services are available at the Health District?: Family Planning services include a physical exam, education, STD screening and selected method of contraception. LARCs (IUD and nexplanon) are available for insertion at the time of your appointment. We also offer preconception counseling and early prenatal appointments. Call 325-676-6634 for more information about eligibility or to schedule an appointment. MERCY Health Care Center is located at 1902 Shelton Street. Monday through Friday 8 to 12 and 1 to 5. Call 325-676-6634 for more information.

8. Which children are eligible for medical check-ups at he Health District?

At the MERCY Health Care Center, Wellness Exams are provided to eligible children through the Texas Health Steps Program. If your child is covered under a Medicaid program, they will be evaluated for important milestones by our Family Nurse Practitioner. We also provide low cost Back to School, Sports Physicals and HeadStart Exams. We offer free lead screening for preschool-aged children. If your child is uninsured and you are financially eligible, they may qualify for our Primary Health Care program which would cover their Well Child Visit and other visits to the MERCY Health Care Center during the year.

MERCY Health Care Center is located at 1902 Shelton Stree. Monday through Friday 8 to Noon and 1 to 5 pm. Call 325-676-6634, ext. 212 for more information.

9. How can I get a copy of a birth certificate?

A qualified applicant may obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate at the Health District Vital Statistics Office. We can retrieve records from any county in the State of Texas. For a birth certificate application form, visit Vital Statistics. Certificates are available for pickup the following business day after a completed request and payment is received in our office and a photo ID is required to receive a vital record.

Applying

The following persons may apply:

Court of law
Individual requesting his/her own birth certificate
A legal representative of the individual named on the certificate, parent or guardian. The representative must have a letter signed by the person, parent or guardian which has been certified by a notary public stating that the representative has permission to obtain the birth certificate
Parent or guardian of the individual named on the certificate. Proof of guardianship is required

Vital record application forms are available in our office for all other states within the U.S, or you may visit the National Center for Health Statistics website.

10. How can I request corrections to a birth certificate?

If you need to make corrections to a birth certificate, applications may be obtained from the Vital Statistics office. You will need to:

Have the application signed in front of a notary by the attending physician, the parent, an older sister or brother. If the child is a minor, both parents must sign the affidavit.
Mail the application with the appropriate fee to Austin, Texas. To determine the cost, visit the Texas Health and Human Services website.

You'll be notified within four to six months about the correction. If you need to add a father's name, you can either file a paternity form or obtain a court order. The forms you need are available at the Vital Statistics office, and our staff is available to assist you. Please call 325-692-5600 to set up an appointment.

11. How can I get a certified copy of a death certificate?

A certified copy of a death certificate may be obtained at our office. The following persons may apply:

An authorized representative of a surviving relative of the deceased (Estate's executor or attorney)
Court of law
Funeral director who was in charge of the final disposition of the body of the deceased
Immediate family:
- Brother
- Child
- Grandparents
- Parent
- Sister
- Spouse
An individual who has a proven legal need

A photo I.D. is required to pick up a vital record. The request form and additional instructions are available by visiting Vital Statistics.