Banner Health Care For Uninsured Children Goes Mobile in Maricopa County

Children without health insurance now have a new way to get treatment in the Valley.

Starting this week, Banner Health is sending a Healthmobile medical center to four locations in the Valley every week to reach kids who need it.

Anyone without insurance ages 21 and under can receive a routine check-up, a physical for sports, and treatment for health issues, except for OB/GYN care or vaccines.

The donation-funded Healthmobile is staffed by a nurse practitioner, a bilingual medical assistant, and an emergency medical technician. 

“The Banner Children’s Healthmobile enables us to further support our local communities and hospitals, providing more convenience for parents who’ve had to travel long distances for treatment,” Megan Christopherson, the company’s children’s health and wellness senior manager, said in a press release.

She added that Banner hopes to treat an additional 1,500 children each year through the Healthmobile. According to a Georgetown University study, there were 91,989 children without health insurance in Maricopa County in 2018.

Here is when and where the Healthmobile will be available: 

• Mondays at Buckeye Elementary School, 210 South 6th St., Building 700, Buckeye (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Tuesdays at Vineyard Church North Phoenix, 6250 W. Peoria Ave., Glendale (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
• Wednesdays at Banner Health Center, 17900 N. Porter Road, Maricopa (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Thursdays at Banner Ironwood Medical Center, 37000 N. Gantzel Road, Queen Creek (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

The Healthmobile welcomes walk-ins but staff recommend calling 480-412-6344 to make an appointment. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.

Banner also offers care for uninsured kids at its Community Clinics at 564 W. 9th Place, Suite 2, in Mesa and 9401 W. Garfield Road in Tolleson.

According to the press release, philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, and community foundations cover the operating costs of the Healthmobile and Community Clinics.