What to bring, where to go, services offered and more

NOMC Patient Eligibility

We offer occupational and comprehensive health services to all who work in the cultural community of New Orleans (musicians, vocalists, music tradition bearers, Mardi Gras Indians, music club workers, artists, dancers, etc.) and their household members over the age of  19.

We accept medical insurance, though those without it will be treated regardless of their ability to pay. For those with insurance but a high deductible, we offer our full range of medical services on a sliding scale fee and low-cost prescriptions.

Eligibility:

  • Valid State-Issued ID
  • Proof of involvement in the Louisiana cultural community
  • Must be a resident of the Greater New Orleans area and performing/practicing your craft for at least 1 year.
  • Must be willing and able to establish NOMC as your primary care provider.

Setting up an Appointment

If you meet the eligibility criteria listed above, please call (504) 412-1366 to set up an intake appointment with our social worker, Megan McStravick, MSW.

If you have questions about our services, your eligibility, or need more information, please email: info@nomaf.org.

What to bring to your first appointment

  • Valid State-Issued ID
  • $10 co-pay
  • Proof of involvement in the Louisiana cultural community
  • Must be a resident of the Greater New Orleans area and performing/practicing your craft for at least 1 year.

To help us determine your eligibility for Sliding Scale Fees, we need documentation of your Household Income. You will need to provide two of the following documents:

  • Recent Tax Return
  • Recording Royalty Statement
  • 1099 Form
  • W-2 form
  • My most recent paycheck stub
  • Notarized letter from your bandleader, club owner or manager/agent or employer.

If you do have health insurance, you will need that information as well.

Contact & Location

New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic

New and Existing Patient Inquiries: (504) 412-1366

Existing patients can use the Patient Portal to communicate with your medical professionals.  No walk-ins, please.

Clinic Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

478 S. Johnson Street
New Orleans, LA 70112

The Musicians’ Clinic is not open on Saturday or Sunday and does not provide emergency medical care. In the case of an emergency, please DIAL 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital.

New Orleans Musicians’ Assistance Foundation – Administrative Office

1525 Louisiana Ave
New Orleans, LA 70115

Email: info@nomaf.org
Phone: (504) 415-3514
Fax: (504) 895-4396

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Where to Go

The New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic is located at 478 S. Johnson Street, New Orleans, LA 70112. (View Map)

The NOMC is housed inside the LSU HCN building on the second (2nd) floor. Please check in at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. Please note to the front desk that you are a patient of the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic.

The parking garage is located at 3715 Prytania St. You will receive a ticket from the garage as you enter. Take the passageway into the clinic on the 3rd level, then take the elevator or stairs down one floor to the 2nd level where the NOMC is located. Please consult a front desk associate on the second (2nd) floor to get your parking validated.

If you are in need of transportation, the NOMC staff can arrange a taxi for you.

What to Expect

Checking In:

Please sign in at the front desk on the second (2nd) floor. The LSUHN staff will enter or update your information in our Allscripts medical record system. You will be asked to fill out and sign intake paperwork, and show proof of ID and Insurance (if applicable). You will also be asked to pay the co-pay upon arrival.

If you have insurance your co-payment is whatever rate your insurance charges for a primary care visit. For Medicaid and Medicare, you owe NO co-pay. All non-GNOCHC eligible and uninsured patients owe a $10 co-pay. You may receive an affordable sliding scale pay for some services.

You will be asked to complete the PHQ 9 (a nine (9) question depression scale) at the beginning of each visit. You may refuse to complete this form or ask for the NOMC social worker to better assist you to answer the questions. It will be used by your NOMC provider in diagnosing depression as well as selecting and monitoring your treatment. With this tool, our NOMC team will be able to better meet your full healthcare needs.

During Your Appointment:

If you are registering as a new patient, you will first meet with our social worker/intake coordinator to determine your needs and eligibility and to get you into our system. Our social worker is in the office from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday if you need any social services or medication assistance.

For a primary care visit, one of the NOMC staff will call you to an exam room to take your vital signs (blood pressure, weight, etc.) and chat with you about the reasons for your visit to the NOMC. The NOMC provider will then arrive to see you. She will talk with you, perform an exam and discuss your health concerns, treatments and prevention if necessary.

Once your exam is complete, the nurse will give you a printed overview of your visit, and next steps, which will include a follow-up appointment, referral, and directions as to how to use the LSUHN/ NOMC Patient Portal. The Patient Portal will allow you to access your health records from anywhere in the world, make follow-up appointments, contact the NOMC staff, request prescription refills, and much more.

FAQs

What is the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic?

The NOMC is a medical clinic offering comprehensive health services housed within the offices of our partner, the LSU Healthcare Network. The Musicians’ Clinic is not an insurance provider or a type of health insurance. It is funded through donations and grants to the New Orleans Musicians Assistance Foundation. Its medical referral network includes the resources of the LSU Healthcare Network, the University Hospital System, and community providers within our referral network.

We provide NOMC patients with access to discounted prescriptions, patient assistance programs, lab work and vaccinations. As part of the LSU Healthcare Network, all NOMC patients have electronic medical records through the Allscripts System.

Who is eligible to be an NOMC patient?

We offer occupational and comprehensive health services to all members of the New Orleans cultural community. Whether you’re a musician, DJ, vocalist, member of a choir, music tradition bearer, member of a Social Aid & Pleasure Club, Mardi Gras Indian, dancer, actor, artisan, music and cultural photographer, or writer. We also serve the household members of our NOMC patients who are aged 19 and over.

Where is the Musicians’ Clinic located?

The clinic is located at:

478 S. Johnson Street
New Orleans, LA 70112

(504) 412-1366

(click here to view in Google Maps)

Where do I go during a medical emergency?

Dial 911, or proceed to the nearest hospital. The NOMC does not provide emergency medical care. Our goal is to keep you well so you don’t need the emergency room.

How do I make an appointment at the clinic?

First-time patients, please call (504) 415-3514 or email info@nomaf.org to determine eligibility and schedule an appointment with the Musicians’ Clinic.

Existing patients can call the appointment line at (504) 412-1366 or visit the Patient Portal.

What if I don’t have health insurance – do I qualify for help from NOMC?

Not to worry. The NOMC requires a low co-pay, and then billing is done on a sliding scale fee based on your income, which means you only pay what you can afford. There are grants available to our clinic to help offset the high cost of health services. Our social services coordinator determines your eligibility during your first clinic visit. The Musicians’ Clinic is not an insurance provider or health insurance plan.

What if I don’t have a ride to the clinic?

The NOMC staff will gladly arrange for free medical transportation for you.

What if I have health insurance – do I qualify for help from NOMC?

Of course! If you do have health insurance, you will be asked to provide that information. However, you may be eligible for NOMC programs that may not be offered by your health insurance provider such as psychological counseling, vision, and dental care. Our social services coordinator determines your eligibility during your first clinic visit.

How do I qualify for sliding scale fees?

‘Sliding scale fees’ means you pay what you can afford. In order to qualify for sliding scale fees, you must provide documentation of your household income. We need to know about your household income to determine eligibility for discounted fees. Based on the information you provide, the NOMC staff will determine what percentage of the fees are covered by NOMC.

For example, if the medical service is $250 and your eligibility determines that your portion is 10%, you will be responsible for only the $25 co-pay (which is 10% of $250). However, if the medical fees are $500, you are responsible for the same 10%, you will receive a bill from the LSU Healthcare Network for $50 minus the $25 co-pay. You will therefore owe the difference of $25.

Please bring two of the following documents to your first medical appointment:

  • Recent Tax Return
  • Recording Royalty Statement
  • 1099 Form
  • W-2 form
  • Most recent pay check stub
  • Notarized letter from your bandleader, club owner or manager/agent or employer.

Your income is PRIVATE – just as your medical record is PRIVATE! However, we need details about your household income to determine eligibility for discounted fees. The information is also valuable when applying for grants that help offset the cost of your treatment. The information you provide is kept HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL and is never disclosed in grant applications or other documents.

What happens if I can’t afford the co-pay?

The NOMC is here to help you. We will try to arrange some aid to assist with the co-pay or if you prefer, we can provide you with a list of FREE clinics near where you live.

What happens if I get a huge medical bill that I cannot afford?

The NOMC is part of the LSU Healthcare Network and at times you may receive a bill larger than you expected. We can offer financial assistance only to NOMC patients who receive a written referral from our Family Nurse Practitioner in advance of treatment.

If you seek medical care without a written referral from our Family Nurse Practitioner, you are responsible for the entire bill, regardless of whether or not the doctor is within the LSU Healthcare Network.

If you received a written referral from our Family Nurse Practitioner and receive a bill larger than you expected, do the following:

  1. Make sure you completed the ELIGIBILITY FORM FOR DISCOUNTED SERVICE with the referred doctor. Be sure to keep the information up to date, and keep a copy in your files.
  2. Ask questions before you leave regarding YOUR portion of the medical bill so you will know what to expect. The NOMC staff can assist you in sorting out the paperwork.

Where do I get my prescriptions filled?

Prescription coverage is based on your insurance status. Speak to your nurse or Nurse Practitioner at your next appointment about questions regarding prescription medication and cost.