Greater New Bedford Community Health Center patient services guide

Staying Healthy With help from

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center

874 Purchase Street • New Bedford, MA 02740 135 Marion Road • Wareham, MA 02571 1

gnbchc.org

Welcome to Greater New Bedford Community Health Center

New Bedford Office: 874 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740

Phone: 508-992-6553 Hours: Monday - Friday • 7 am – 7 pm Saturday • 8 am – 4:30 pm Sunday • Closed Free Parking for New Bedford Patients Patients may park for free in the nearby Elm Street Parking Garage, with validation from GNB community Health Center.

Bring your garage ticket to the reception area desk before 5 pm.

Wareham: 135 Marion Road, Wareham, MA 02571 Phone: 508-342-4701 Hours: Monday/Thursday • 8 am – 5:30 pm Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday • 8 am – 5 pm Saturday/Sunday • Closed To reach a provider after hours, call our main phone at 508-992-6553 to speak to the provider on-call.

gnbchc.org

Your Patient Centered Medical Home Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is a model of health care “centered” on the patient’s needs. GNBCHC is also PCMH Prime Certified, which means we apply the same patient centered care to your behavioral health needs.

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center leads a team of healthcare

professionals who are responsible for your health - both in wellness and illness.

How does PCMH benefit you?

• Stronger relationships with your doctor and our office staff • Access to convenient office appointments • Connections to specialists for care • Follow-up of important results and referral appointments; our doctors, nurses, and staff are here for you and your family if you need urgent care, ongoing medical treatment, or help in staying healthy.

We welcome residents of New Bedford and the region who are sick or need help to improve their health, well-being, and quality of life. Our two locations in New Bedford and Wareham offer a wide range of high-quality health services regardless of your ability to pay.

And we’re continually expanding our facilities and programs to better serve you with the latest medical care and techniques, in modern facilities with compassionate staff.

Our on-site services include: • Adult medicine including the elderly

• Weight loss, nutrition, and wellness

• Women’s health and maternal child health • Diabetes care and self-management • Pediatric care for infants and children

• Help to quit smoking

• WIC nutrition program support

• Dental care • Eye care • Podiatry foot care

• Infectious disease care and prevention

• On-site pharmacy (New Bedford)

• Laboratory testing

• Insurance counseling

• Radiology • Mammography • Ultrasound • X-rays

• Multi-language interpretation

O ur M ission For Patients – To serve, educate, and inspire our patients in becoming more knowledgeable and participatory in their total health For Community – To be a regional resource and leader focused on improving public health in the communities we serve 1

FAMILY C ARE Pediatric Medicine Services and care for your infants and children at Greater New Bedford Community Health Center include primary care, well-child and sick-child visits, nutritional counseling, dental services, adolescent gynecological and reproductive health, breastfeeding support, school and camp physicals, laboratory and radiology services, ophthalmology, insurance benefits consultation, case management, an on-site WIC program, and our Healthy Weight Initiative for ages 2-18 years who have a BMI over 85%.

Same day appointments are available.

Medical Care for Teens For teens from ages 13 through 17, we offer confidential, private care including family planning, routine gynecological care, PAP smears, testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STD), pregnancy tests, and HIV prevention counseling and testing. Health education is a part of every visit, with an emphasis on illness prevention and risk reduction. Any teen may call on their own for an appointment, and we welcome calls from parents who want our services for their teenagers.

Women’s Health Our Women’s Health program is dedicated to the well-being of all women. We are committed to delivering comprehensive healthcare services in a supportive and caring environment. Not only are we there for women when they are ill, but we also focus on wellness and prevention.

All women are encouraged to participate fully in their own care. Among services offered within Women’s Health are primary care, gynecology, family planning, short-term counseling, breastfeeding support, prenatal and postpartum home visits, and prenatal pregnancy care classes. On-site mammography, ultrasound and DEXA bone scans are provided by Southcoast Health System.

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Our Woman’s Health Department also provides prenatal pregnancy care including home visits to promote safe births and healthier new babies.

We give our patients individual case management including: • Application to MassHealth • Counseling on breastfeeding and Healthy Start • Personal safety • WIC enrollment

• Guidance on child care and other issues

• Prenatal nutrition and vitamins • HIV testing and counseling • Dental referrals • Help to quit smoking tobacco • Short-term counseling and referral • Maternity exams, ideally in first 12 weeks of pregnancy

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) WIC is a nutrition program that provides nutrition and health information, healthy foods, and other services free of charge to Massachusetts families.

WIC offers families: • Free, healthy foods • Breastfeeding support • Nutrition counseling • Infant formula and baby foods WIC is for all kinds of families: married, single parents, working or not working.

You can participate in WIC if you: • Live in Massachusetts • Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a child under 5 years of age • Have a nutritional need • Currently receive TAFDC, Food Stamps, or MassHealth; in these cases, you are automatically eligible for WIC Fathers, guardians, or foster parents may apply for WIC for their children at the WIC website or call 508-997-1500.

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C ARE FOR A LL Adult Medicine Our Department of Adult Medicine provides preventative health screening and treatments.

We help our patients stay healthy and get early diagnosis and treatment for illnesses.

We provide acute or urgent care and routine care including physicals and immunizations.

Our primary health care includes the prevention and treatment of common adult medical problems such as allergies, arthritis, blood diseases, cancer, diabetes, digestive diseases, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, hormonal disorders, infections, kidney diseases, and respiratory disorders.

We also provide special care for seniors. Elderly and disabled patients may use a designated parking lot and a first-floor entrance for easy access to the facility.

In addition to primary care, staff members determine eligibility and need for community or home services and make referrals as needed. Nurses are available for help with medication and pre-filling of medications. Other services include podiatry, laboratory testing, and referrals for radiology and specialty care.

Infectious Disease Greater New Bedford Community Health Center offers a wide range of infectious disease services ranging from case management to primary care. We provide medication support, weight management, benefits counseling, mental health counseling for patients and their families, and other ancillary help.

Our Medication Adherence Support program helps patients stick to their medication schedules, understand and manage side effects, and keep a positive outlook.

Our screening and testing services reach people in the community who might otherwise have no exposure to HIV or STD information and screening. Our benefits coordinators work to assure patients know about and can use all benefits we have available.

We also collaborate with the Massachusetts HIV Drug Assistance Program (HDAP), an HIV-specific medication program for HIV positive people.

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Urgent Care Our Urgent Care Department provides same day appointments and walk-­in services for adults and children ages 12 and up. We welcome patients with minor medical conditions that are not life threatening yet require immediate attention.

Minor injuries or illnesses that can be treated by our Urgent Care Department include sprains and minor broken bones, minor cuts, earaches, sore throat or cough, mild to moderate asthma, and minor infections.

For serious and life-threatening medical emergencies call 911

Urgent Care Hours: Monday – Friday 7 am – 7 pm • Saturday 8 am – 4:30 pm After hours call 508-992-6553 for 24-hour, 7-day on-call service

Laboratory and Radiology Southcoast Health System provides our laboratory and radiology services, which are available during our regular operating hours. Imaging and testing services include ultrasound imaging, bone density (DEXA scanning), mammography, and X-ray.

Under federal and Massachusetts state laws, you have broad and specific rights about your care. You also have the right to privacy of your medical records including your treatment and your communications with us. For more about our values and your rights as a patient, ask for our pamphlet about patient records and privacy and visit our website.

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS Greater New Bedford Community Health Center helps members of our community achieve healthy lifestyles and wellness. A highly trained and qualified staff offers education, support and reinforcement on weight loss, diabetic self-management, smoking cessation, and exercise. Our staff is supported by our medical team, which makes sure all training and support groups are medically sound and beneficial for each patient.

Help to Quit Smoking GNBCHC offers a tobacco use treatment program with weekly treatment sessions over 10 - 12 weeks. Tobacco treatment specialists work with clients throughout their quitting phase, using behavioral counseling and quit-smoking aids that might require longer treatment. Most insurances are accepted, but referrals may be required depending on a patient’s insurance provider. Ongoing support groups are available including Quit Works telephone support.

Dental Health Our Dental Center provides cleanings, check-ups, fillings, dentures and denture adjustments, as well as emergency dental care including extractions. Our clinical staff includes dentists, certified dental assistants, hygienists, dental assistants, and front desk receptionists. The dental staff speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and English. For appointments, call the Dental Center directly at 508-984-7031.

Optometry Advanced Eye Centers at the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center helps to bring complete health care to the community through quality eye care and optometry services including exams and corrective lenses.

Advanced Eye Centers, Inc. gives patients advanced, progressive, and high quality care to treat eye problems and improve vision.

Location: 854 Purchase Street, New Bedford Hours: Monday – Friday • 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Phone: 508-717-0477 6

Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Prevention and Treatment Greater New Bedford Community Health Center offers comprehensive support and treatment for living with high blood pressure and diabetes, taking into account your individual needs as a patient. Our dedicated Wellness Connection and health center staff can answer many of your questions about these conditions and help you determine the best course of management and treatment.

Our dietician, nurses, and our Certified Diabetes Educators stay up to date on the latest advances in preventing and treating diabetes and hypertension.

Prediabetes Support and Education The National Diabetes Prevention Program, certified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), meets for 12 weeks, with a four week follow-up support group. The focus is on education and behavior changes to improve health and prevent diabetes.

Nutrition and Weight Management GNBCHC offers one-on-one counseling and support groups for nutrition and weight loss and for a variety of health issues such as cardio vascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, weight, and general wellness.

Our Certified Diabetes Educator oversees an eight week diabetes education program that promotes lifestyle changes and gives patients tips for weight loss.

Office Based Addiction Treatment Office Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) is care for substance use disorders given to patients in an outpatient setting like a doctor’s office. Office based treatment offers greater flexibility and convenience for patients getting medical care in addition to the substance use treatment. We provide these services in both New Bedford and Wareham.

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Patient Health Insurance Benefits We accept most private insurances plus Medicare and Mass Health. Our benefits staff can determine the best state medical coverage for which you are qualified. Through an interview process, we’ll review your income and family size to determine your eligibility for state and federal programs or for a sliding fee discount program.

Please bring the following information for each member of your household 1. Proof of income that includes: • Two recent pay stubs or a benefits statement from unemployment • If self-employed, most recent tax forms, including Schedule C • Proof of rental income • Proof of child support or alimony 2. Proof of identity that includes: • Driver’s license • Photo ID • Military identification 3. Proof of citizenship or immigration status including: • Birth certificate • Passport • Certificate of Naturalization or Green Card • Social Security card 4. Social Security number (if you have one) 5. Proof of Massachusett residency (copy of rental agreement, electric or gas bill or notarized letter) You may qualify for health coverage regardless of your immigration status.

We already accept and continue to add many private insurance plans to those we accept.

If you have questions about the cost of our care, applying for free or reduced-cost care, or whether we accept your health insurance, please contact a benefits counselor by calling 508-992-6553.

Walgreens On-Site Pharmacy Walgreens Pharmacy at Greater New Bedford Community Health Center is a full-service pharmacy staffed by knowledgeable pharmacists who offer patients compassionate care, a convenient location, and more including:

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Confidential, one-on-one patient counseling Help staying on track with medications Acceptance of most insurance plans Flexible refill options by phone, in person, online, or automatically The ability to pick up medications at any of the more than 6,000 Walgreens in the U.S. including Puerto Rico Flu immunizations administered at the pharmacy

Location: 862 Purchase Street, New Bedford (see photo inside front cover) Hours: Monday – Friday • 8 am – 8 pm Saturday • 8 am – 4:30 pm Phone: 508-992-3209 Fax: 508-992-3783 8

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center Our Mission Patients

To serve, educate and inspire our patients in becoming more knowledgeable and participatory in their total health.

Community To be a regional resource and leader focused on improving public health in the communities we serve.

P I L O T

Our Values Patient Centered – A rich diversity of patients is at the heart of what we do.

Equitable care means we must empathize with each patient, speak their language and tailor what we do to meet their unique needs.

Innovative – Our approach is dynamic, collaborative and adaptive. Clear communications, coordinated workflow, financial transparency and emphasis on outcomes bolster the special relationship between patients and care teams.

Local Partners – The community of Greater New Bedford is the long-term beneficiary of our work. We are a fully engaged partner and primary care agent for positive change on critical matters of public health and the elimination of health disparities.

Obliging & Respectful – Patients and employees alike can count on our health center to be accepting, safe, confidential and courteous. Every patient is welcomed, just as every employee is valued. All are treated fairly and with dignity.

Team Players – Our team is empowered by its wealth of perspectives and unified in its focus to serve our patients and community. We are deliberate and considerate in lending expertise, sharing accountability and fostering hope.

Our Vision To improve the health, well-being and quality of life of each patient, their families and the greater community.

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874 Purchase Street • New Bedford, MA 02740 135 Marion Road • Wareham, MA 02571 10

gnbchc.org