Last week AppHealthCare celebrated the official launch of mobile health services that will deliver healthcare throughout Alleghany, Ashe and Watauga Counties. A time of celebration and ribbon cutting ceremonies were held in each county.
“We are excited to offer healthcare services beyond our clinic walls and out in the community, meeting people where they are. Access to care was identified by the community as a top health priority in the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment so we are grateful for the opportunity to be able to increase healthcare access in the most rural parts of our communities,” stated Jennifer Greene, Health Director/CEO, AppHealthCare.
AppHealthCare was able to purchase a 38-foot RV with grant funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and dollars allocated by Alleghany, Ashe, and Watauga Counties’ NC Opioid Settlement funds. The RV was renovated by Mission Mobile Medical, transforming it into a state-of-the-art mobile health clinic complete with two exam rooms, laboratory, restroom, and waiting area.
The mobile bus will provide primary care, sick visits, and behavioral health screenings. Appointments will be strongly encouraged; walk-ins will be accepted but may experience a longer wait time without an appointment. Some procedures needing a higher level of care may be referred to AppHealthCare’s existing health center locations. The bus will be staffed by a provider, nurse, medical assistant, bus driver, and a dental team on days where dental services will be provided.
All health insurances will be accepted, and payment plans and a siding fee discount program are available based on someone’s income. Services are available regardless of someone’s ability to pay.
Ms. Greene continued, “Our vision for this bus is for it to be a value-added service, providing everyone the opportunity to have high-quality, comprehensive healthcare. We are very grateful to our boards, the Board of Health and Partners in Public Health, for their ongoing support and dedication to our community’s health, and our County Commissioners in Alleghany, Ashe, and Watauga Counties for dedicating some of their Opioid Settlement funds to make this project happen. In addition to the Opioid Settlement funds, the purchase of our bus would not be possible without the grant funds from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).”
AppHealthCare plans for the mobile bus to begin seeing patients in September. As locations and events are confirmed, they will be added to the mobile bus calendar on AppHealthCare’s website.
Learn more about AppHealthCare’s mobile health services: www.apphealthcare.com/mobile-health-services.
For additional information about AppHealthCare or other community resources and health-related data, please call AppHealthCare at (828) 795-1970 or visit www.AppHealthCare.com and follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
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