Mobile Unit FAQ's
What is the mobile unit?
The Crossing Healthcare mobile unit is a doctor’s office on wheels that will offer healthcare services to Decatur Public Schools students. The goals are to provide convenient access to healthcare and to keep kids healthy and in school.
What services are offered on the mobile unit?
Services available on the mobile unit include physicals and vaccinations, health screenings, treatment of minor illnesses and injuries, point of care testing, medical referrals and follow ups, disease management (diabetes, asthma, etc.), weight management, health education and promotion, nutrition counseling, assessment of stress/emotional problems, and individual counseling. Dental services will be offered, starting in April 2020.
How will be mobile unit benefit students?
The mobile unit will benefit students by improving access to healthcare services, including medical care, behavioral health services, and dental care (April 2020). From physicals and vaccinations to minor illnesses and individual counseling, the mobile unit will allow easier access to quality care.
Can you take care of all medical issues on the mobile unit?
Not all medical issues can be treated on the mobile unit. Emergency care will not be provided. Medical staff and DPS nursing staff will determine if the appropriate care can be provided on the mobile unit or if the student should be referred to his or her own primary care physician or a local emergency department. In the case of an emergency, 9-1-1 will be called.
What happens if there is a medical emergency on the mobile unit?
If a medical emergency occurs on the mobile unit, Crossing Healthcare staff will call 9-1-1. Decatur Public Schools staff will assist in removing any students from the mobile unit.
Will medications be administered on the mobile unit?
Medications will not be given without consent. Examples of medications that may be given, with consent, include fever reducers and first dose antibiotics.
Will my child see his or her usual Crossing Healthcare provider on the mobile unit?
Your child may not be seen by their usual provider, however, the providers on the mobile unit are an extension from the pediatrics and family medicine departments at Crossing Healthcare. The providers on the mobile unit will be able to access your child’s Crossing Healthcare medical record and will contact his or her usual provider with any questions or concerns.
Who will staff the mobile unit?
The mobile unit will be staffed by a certified medical assistant, physician assistant or nurse practitioner, licensed clinical social worker or bachelors degree prepared counselor, dental hygienist, dental assistant, and/or dentist (April 2020).
Does the mobile unit replace the function of a school nurse?
The mobile unit does not replace the function of a school nurse. School nurses will continue to provide their excellent school based care and services. The mobile unit is intended to assist in improving the overall health of the students, by being available at convenient locations in case parents experience barriers accessing healthcare. To ensure children have access to quality healthcare, the mobile unit staff will work closely with the school nurses to provide comprehensive healthcare for your child. School nurses will continue with their daily routines. The mobile unit will travel to schools providing ongoing medical care to students with acute or chronic medical issues.
Accessing Services on the Mobile Unit
What are the qualifications for my child to be treated on the mobile unit?
Your child must be a Decatur Public Schools student. Patient registration, health history, and consent forms must be completed prior to being treated on the mobile unit.
How can my child become a patient of Crossing Healthcare and where can I find new patient registration and consent forms?
If you would like for your child to become a patient of Crossing Healthcare, please contact Crossing Healthcare at 217-877-9117. New patient registration forms are available on the Decatur Public Schools and Crossing Healthcare websites. Ideally, new patients will be seen for their first appointment at the Crossing Healthcare Main Clinic location before being treated on the mobile unit. However, the Crossing Healthcare mobile unit staff will work to accommodate real time healthcare needs of Decatur Public Schools students.
How can I make an appointment on the mobile unit?
Appointments can be made by calling Crossing Healthcare at 217-877-9117 or by talking to your child’s school nurse.
Does a parent or guardian need to accompany my child on the mobile unit?
No, while it is ideal to have a parent or guardian present, it is not required. A consent, and a full understanding of your child’s needs, will need to be completed prior to a visit to the mobile unit.
Can I come to the appointment on the mobile unit with my child?
Yes, parents are encouraged to attend the appointment with their child.
Who will accompany my child to the mobile unit from the school if I am not present?
If you are unable to take your child to their appointment, the Crossing Healthcare staff will work with Decatur Public Schools staff to make sure your child is safely transported outside to the mobile unit and back into the school.
If my child is seen on the mobile unit and needs medications, what might I need to do?
Depending on your child’s condition, you may need to pick up a prescription at your local pharmacy. Crossing Healthcare providers may call you to discuss the appointment and any follow up care that is needed. Further medical care may be recommended. The provider may call you if you are unable to attend the appointment with your child. Your contact information must be listed on the consent form. Please contact Crossing Healthcare at 217-877-9117 if your contact information changes.
What if my child needs an x-ray, laboratory testing or other diagnostic testing that isn’t available on the mobile unit?
If your child needs an x-ray, laboratory testing or other diagnostic testing that isn’t available on the mobile unit, he or she will be referred to the main Crossing Healthcare facility or other healthcare facility. These needs will be communicated with you.
How often will the mobile unit be at my child’s school?
The mobile unit will be rotated through the schools, Monday through Friday, during the school year. A schedule will be released this summer and will be listed on the Crossing Healthcare and Decatur Public Schools websites.
Where will the mobile unit be located?
The mobile unit will be located on the school campus and will be parked as close to a school entrance as possible.
What if my child misses an appointment?
If your child misses an appointment, please call Crossing Healthcare at 217-877-9117 to reschedule.
What if my child has an appointment scheduled and the mobile unit is canceled for the day due to weather or other circumstances?
You will be contacted by telephone if your appointment needs to be rescheduled to another date, or the location of the appointment changes from the mobile unit to Crossing Healthcare’s Main Clinic.
Are there weather conditions that may cause limitations for the function of the mobile unit?
Yes, Crossing Healthcare and Decatur Public Schools staff will refer to the Child Care Weather Watch recommendations and local weather forecast to determine if services on the mobile unit need to be temporarily delayed or canceled. The proximity of the mobile unit in relation to the school will also be a factor in this decision. Due to water lines on the mobile unit and a potential inability to keep the temperature comfortable on the mobile unit, the mobile unit will not operate if outside temperature is below 15 degrees.
When Minors Can Give Consent
When can a minor (child under age 18) consent to their own medical treatment?
Illinois law provides for several circumstances where minors can consent to their own treatment. Those circumstances are outlined below.
Pregnant or married minors: a minor who is pregnant or married can consent to their own medical treatment
Minors Who Are Parents: minors who are parents can consent to their own medical treatment. If the minor’s status as a parent ends (ex. parental rights terminated as part of an adoption proceeding), the minor can no longer consent to their own medical treatment. Minors who are parents can provide consent for medical care for their children.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV: Minors 12 years of age or older who may have come into contact with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), including HIV may consent to STD testing, healthcare services and counseling. Upon the minor’s consent, reasonable efforts to involve the family in his or her treatment will be made, unless the person providing the treatment believes the involvement of the family will be detrimental to the progress and care of the patient. If the minor does not consent, the person providing care cannot involve the family.
Birth Control Services: birth control services and information can be provided to a minor:
- Who is married
- Who is a parent
- Who is pregnant
- Who has the consent of a parent or guardian
- If failure to provide such services is a serious health hazard
- If the minor is referred for services by a physician, clergyman or a Planned Parenthood agency.
Drug Abuse or Alcohol Consumption: Minors 12 years of age and older who may be determined to be an addict, alcoholic or an intoxicated person or who may have a family member who abuses drugs or alcohol may consent to care or counseling services related to the abuse of alcohol or drugs by the minor or their family member. Upon the minor’s consent, reasonable efforts to involve the family in his or her treatment will be made, unless the person providing the treatment believes the involvement of the family will be detrimental to the progress and care of the patient. If the minor does not consent, the person providing care cannot involve the family.
Outpatient Mental Health Services: Minors 12 years of age and older can request and receive outpatient counseling or psychotherapy services without consent of a parent or guardian. Minors age 12 to 16 are limited to eight 90 minute sessions without parental/guardian consent. Minors can have more than eight sessions if the provider believes it is in the minor’s best interest or parental involvement would be detrimental to the minor.
Medical Treatment for Criminal Sexual Assault or Abuse: when a minor is a victim of sexual assault or abuse, care related to diagnosis or treatment or counseling can be provided without the consent or the minor’s parent.
Emancipated minors: a minor between the ages of 16 and 18 who have a court ordering declaring him or her as emancipated can consent to their own medical treatment.
Minor Seeking Care (Primary Care Services): Minors between the age of 14 and 18 who are:
- Living separate and apart from their parents or legal guardian
- Who are unable or unwilling to return to the resident of a parent or guardian
- AND managing their own personal affairs
may consent to their own care if the healthcare professional believes that the minor seeking care understands the risks and benefits of the proposed primary care services. This does not include minors under protective custody, temporary custody or guardianship of DCFS. The minor must be identified in writing as a minor seeking care by:
- An adult relative
- A representative of a homeless service receiving federal or municipal funds
- An attorney licensed to practice law in Illinois
- A public school homeless liaison or school social worker
- A social service agency providing services to at risk, homeless or runaway youth
- A representative of a religious organization.
Applicable Laws for Minors to Give Consent
- 750 ILCS 30/1
- 410 ILCS 210/1 – 5
- 410 ILCS 70/5
- 410 ILCS 305
- 77 Illinois Administrative Code 697.120, 697.130, 697.140, 697.420
Billing Information
How will I be billed?
All billing services are handled by Crossing Healthcare. Services are billed to private and state insurance plans. No money is required or accepted at the time of services. Co-payments may be billed to families. Financial assistance is available, according to Crossing Healthcare’s sliding fee policy. For more information: www.crossinghealthcare.org/financial-assistance
Additional Information
Who can I contact for more information?
You can contact Crossing Healthcare at 217-877-9117.