Cold and flu season has returned to the Poconos, bringing a rise in illness as a concerning H3N2 strain spreads. Last year’s flu season was the most severe in nearly 15 years, and early signs suggest this one may be similar. For residents without insurance or facing high medical costs, help is available across Monroe, Pike, Wayne, and Carbon counties. Federally qualified health centers, state clinics, and local hospitals offer low-cost or free care, including flu shots, testing, and primary care. Pennsylvania’s state health centers provide many services at no cost to the uninsured. Major networks like Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke’s also offer financial assistance that can greatly reduce medical bills.

Monroe County

Monroe County residents have access to multiple healthcare resources designed to serve the uninsured and underinsured population.

Monroe County State Health Center

• 1972 West Main Street, Suite 102, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
• Phone: 570-424-3020
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

The state health center offers immunizations (including flu shots) at low or no cost for uninsured individuals, tuberculosis testing and treatment, HIV/AIDS testing and counseling, sexually transmitted infection services, childhood lead poisoning prevention, and perinatal hepatitis B case management. Free flu shots are available to those who are uninsured. Childhood immunizations follow CDC schedules with fees as low as $5 per visit and no charge for low-income families.

Maternal and Family Health Services (MFHS) – East Stroudsburg

• Phone: 570-595-4496
• Website: mfhs.org/monroe

MFHS provides reproductive healthcare, prenatal and postpartum care, gynecological exams, birth control counseling, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and WIC nutrition services. The cost of care is based on income, meaning appointments may be low-cost or completely free depending on financial circumstances. Same-day appointments and walk-ins are welcome.

Lehigh Valley Hospital–Pocono Financial Assistance

• 206 East Brown Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
• Financial Counseling Walk-in
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Phone: 570-476-3322 or 570-476-3324

Lehigh Valley Health Network offers a comprehensive financial assistance program for uninsured and underinsured patients. Those with income up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify for 100 percent assistance with medical bills. The program covers emergency services and care at LVHN facilities throughout Monroe County, including ExpressCARE walk-in locations open seven days a week for urgent care needs like flu symptoms, strep throat, and minor injuries.

St. Luke’s Hospital–Monroe Campus

• 100 St. Luke’s Lane, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 Financial Counseling:
• Phone: 484-526-8000

St. Luke’s provides financial assistance to uninsured patients whose income falls within federal poverty guidelines. Patients with income up to 300 percent of federal poverty guidelines may receive 100 percent assistance, with individual hardship cases reviewed for additional support.

Pike County

Pike County’s rural geography presents healthcare access challenges, but state health services and the Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers network serve the area.

Pike County State Health Center

• 10 Buist Road, Suite 401, Milford, PA 18337
• Phone: 570-296-6512
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

The state health center provides immunizations, disease investigation and reporting, tuberculosis services, HIV/AIDS testing, flu shots, and health information referrals. Services prioritize uninsured and underserved populations, with many offerings available at no cost.

Pike Family Health Center (Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers)

• 750 Route 739, Lords Valley, PA 18428
• Phone: 570-775-7100
• Hours: Monday–Friday, plus second and fourth Saturdays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers operate as a federally qualified health center, meaning they must serve all patients regardless of ability to pay and offer sliding-fee scales based on income. The Pike Family Health Center provides primary care for acute illnesses (including cold and flu symptoms), chronic disease management, wellness visits, and immunizations. Board-certified family physicians and nurse practitioners treat patients of all ages. The center accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance, and uninsured patients qualify for reduced fees based on their financial situation.

Pike Dental Center

• Route 739, Suite D, Lords Valley, PA 18428
• Phone: 570-775-7818

Comprehensive dental services for adults and children with sliding-fee scale for qualifying patients.

Wayne County

Wayne County benefits from the Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers network—a federally qualified health center system with nineteen sites serving nine communities across four counties.

Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers

• Main Phone: 570-253-3005
• Website: wmh.org/community-health-centers

As a federally qualified health center, WMCHC provides healthcare to everyone and accepts most private insurance and medical assistance. Sliding-fee scales based on income are available for uninsured and underinsured patients. Primary care locations operate throughout Wayne County including Honesdale, Hamlin, Lake Ariel, Lake Como, Tafton, Forest City, Carbondale, and Waymart.

Services include outpatient primary care, diagnosis and treatment of acute conditions like colds and flu, chronic disease management, wellness visits, immunizations and vaccinations, pediatric care, behavioral health counseling, and women’s health services including obstetrics, gynecology, and prenatal care.

Together for Health Dental Center

• Stourbridge Professional Complex, 600 Maple Avenue, Suite 7, Honesdale, PA 18431
• Phone: 570-253-8219

Dental services for adults and children with sliding-fee scale for eligible patients. The center accepts private insurance and medical assistance.

Wayne County State Health Center

• Erie Heights, Honesdale, PA 18431
• Phone: 570-253-7141
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Provides immunizations, STD testing, family planning services, tuberculosis monitoring, and health education programs to Wayne County residents.

Carbon County

Carbon County residents can access state health services and hospital-based financial assistance programs.

Carbon County State Health Center

• 616 North Street, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 (or 281 N. 12th Street, Suite A, Lehighton)
• Phone: 570-325-6106
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

The state health center offers immunizations, disease surveillance, tuberculosis services, and public health information. Services prioritize vulnerable populations including the uninsured.

Lehigh Valley Hospital–Carbon

• 2128 Blakeslee Boulevard Drive East, Lehighton, PA 18235

LVH–Carbon provides emergency services 24/7 and a full range of medical services. Uninsured and underinsured patients can apply for LVHN’s financial assistance program, with those earning up to 300 percent of federal poverty guidelines potentially qualifying for 100 percent bill reduction.

Health Center at Carbon (LVHN)

• 2226 Blakeslee Boulevard Drive East, Lehighton, PA 18235

Offers primary and specialty care including rehabilitation, obstetrics, gynecology, orthopedics, and cancer services. Walk-in bloodwork available Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. Financial assistance programs apply.

St. Luke’s Hospital–Carbon Campus

• Lehighton, PA
• Phone: 484-526-8000 (Financial Counseling)

St. Luke’s provides charity care and financial assistance to qualifying patients. Those meeting income guidelines may receive reduced or eliminated medical bills.

What to Bring

When visiting any of these facilities, bring:

• Photo identification (driver’s license or state ID)
• Proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax return, or self-declaration of no income)
• Proof of residency (utility bill or real estate tax bill from the past 60 days)
• Insurance card if applicable (Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance)
• Immunization records for children

Flu Prevention Tips

The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone six months and older. While flu activity typically peaks between December and February, vaccination remains beneficial throughout the season. Additional prevention measures include frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill.

For those who do get sick, antiviral medications can reduce symptom severity and duration if taken within 48 hours of symptom onset. Contact your healthcare provider or visit a walk-in clinic at the first signs of flu—fever, body aches, fatigue, cough, and sore throat—especially if you are over 65, pregnant, or have underlying health conditions.

Dial 211 for Help

Pennsylvania residents can dial 211 or text their zip code to 898-211 to speak with a resource specialist who can connect them with healthcare services, financial assistance programs, and other community resources free of charge.

For the latest information on flu activity and prevention, visit cdc.gov/flu.