BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Bringing mobile healthcare to those who do not have transportation back and forth to doctors’ offices is about to become an option for certain areas in Martin County, thanks to the HomePlace Clinic in Inez.
On Wednesday, Nov. 8, HomePlace Clinic’s mobile health unit will spend the day at the Dempsey Housing Complex in Warfield, offering various health screenings and routine treatments for current and prospective patients.
The clinic accepts most insurances, including Medicare and Kentucky Medicaid, and uses a sliding fee schedule for patients without insurance coverage.
Dorothy Dillon, coordinator/case manager at the Inez clinic, explained the desire of HomePlace Clinic’s medical and support staff to take health services to those unable to come to the office.
“We have found there to be numerous individuals residing in our county who have no transportation to get them where they need to go and who do not have the financial means to pay someone to drive them,” said Dillon. “Once we have a patient become established with us, we assist them with transportation needs, but there are so many that aren’t aware of this service and fail to receive the medical care they need because they simply can’t make it to see their doctor.”
She added, “If you can’t come to us, we will do our best to come to you—and we are starting with those who reside at the Dempsey apartments.”
The mobile unit staff, including a nurse practitioner, nursing support staff, case manager and clerical staff, will be on hand to address the needs of patients who decide to utilize the service. Current patients of the HomePlace Clinic and new patients can receive treatment. New patients should bring a copy of their insurance card, if applicable, a list of current medications, the names of pharmacies they use, and the name and contact information of the last physician from whom they received care.
“We often find when there are cases of members of the public lacking transportation to visit a doctor, years may have elapsed since they’ve been evaluated and had their medical issues treated,” said Dillon. “Once we get them entered as a new patient and get them established in our system, we will help make arrangements to get them brought into the clinic for lab work and anything else the nurse practitioner orders. We can also accommodate them with transportation assistance if they are referred to specialists outside our clinical program and realm of care.”
Dillon said the clinic is in the process of establishing visits in other locations in the county. Those locations will be announced after details are finalized.
“We chose Dempsey as our first location due to the large number of residents living there,” said Dillon. “The information gathered during our research leads us to believe our services would be an asset for those who don’t drive or have dependable transportation, especially older people. We are confident that our mobile clinic monthly visits will help improve the health and quality of life for all who take advantage of the opportunity.”
HomePlace Clinic provides a variety of services, such as preventative care, medication and disease management, dental and vision referrals, and medication-assisted treatment programs for those overcoming addiction. They have a network of providers in numerous fields that work together to meet all patient needs.
“If you become a patient of HomePlace Clinic, your primary care provider will address your routine health-related issues for better long-term care and quality of life,” said Dillon. “This preventative care provides education and chronic disease management and can also give you access to various behavioral health programs if needed. We have our own pharmacy that works to help our patients afford their medications and direct mails them to their residences to better accommodate those with transportation concerns.
Dillon stated the mission of the group of clinics is to improve the overall health of the underserved and homeless population of Kentucky by providing access to quality primary health care.
The clinic offers a sliding scale for eligible patients without insurance who still have an income. Patients who qualify for this plan will pay for office visits based on household income and family size.
For example, a family of four whose gross yearly income is $27,750 or less would pay $5 for each medical visit. A single person making that amount would pay $20 per visit. According to Dillon, the clinic will evaluate each patient’s needs and financial situation and work to establish a payment plan if possible.
HomePlace Clinic has several locations throughout Kentucky, including Inez, Belfry, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, Pikeville, Martin, Ashland, Cynthia and Winchester. All locations are currently accepting new patients. They offer pediatric care at their HomePlace Clinic for Children & Families at 1330 S. Mayo Trail in Pikeville.
All clinics are open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information on the services Nov. 8 at Dempsey Housing or the clinic at 428 E. Main Street in Inez, call 606-953-0710 during regular business hours.