Notes for Newcomers

• Health Services: State and federal health lines (e.g., HRSA, NIH, state departments) provide information on clinics, preventive care, and programs like RMA. These are vital for South African refugees seeking low-cost or free services, especially during the 12-month RMA period.
• Insurance Support: The Marketplace hotline (1-800-318-2596) assists with enrolling in affordable plans post-RMA, while CMS (1-800-633-4227) helps with Medicaid eligibility. ORR (1-800-354-0365) is key for refugees to access RMA and initial health screenings.
• Pharmacy Services and Safety: NABP (1-847-698-6227) and FDA BeSafeRx (1-855-543-3784) ensure safe online medication purchases, protecting against counterfeit drugs—a concern for newcomers unfamiliar with U.S. regulations. Verify pharmacies via vipps.pharmacy.
• Mental Health and General Info: The 988 lifeline supports mental health crises, common among refugees adjusting to new environments. The CDC line (1-800-232-4636) offers vaccination and health advice, critical for school enrollment and chronic condition management.
• Language Support: Many hotlines offer multilingual assistance, benefiting Afrikaans-speaking South Africans. English-speaking newcomers may need to clarify U.S.-specific terms (e.g., “deductible” vs. South Africa’s “excess”).
• Cultural Adjustment: South Africans used to South Africa’s public system (e.g., Groote Schuur) or private medical aids (e.g., Discovery Health) may find U.S. services more fragmented but can leverage RMA and state resources for continuity.
• Access: Save numbers in phones or print this directory. Local state numbers are useful for region-specific guidance, especially in rural areas.

Tips for South African Newcomers

• Health Services: Call HRSA (1-877-464-4772) or state lines to locate Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov for affordable care.
• Insurance Enrollment: Contact 1-800-318-2596 within 60 days of arrival for Marketplace or Medicaid/CHIP options post-RMA; use 1-800-354-0365 for RMA enrollment.
• Online Purchases: Use 1-855-543-3784 or 1-847-698-6227 to verify online pharmacies before buying medications, avoiding risks highlighted by the FDA.
• Health Screenings: Call 1-800-354-0365 for RMA enrollment and Refugee Medical Screenings to address chronic conditions or vaccination needs.
• Mental Health: Reach out to 988 if adjusting to the U.S. causes distress, a service free for all residents.
• Documentation: Carry translated South African medical records to clinics to avoid redundant tests, which can cost $100–$1,000 out-of-pocket if uninsured post-RMA.