We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
CHINOOK, MT. August 3, 2017 – Area residents are asked to join Sweet Medical Center (SMC) in celebrating National Health Center Week. Free deluxe water bottles will be given out throughout the week and the finale for the week is a Sweet Swim on Saturday!
The national campaign runs August 13th-19th with the goal of raising awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s Health Centers over the course of more than five decades. One of the bright spots in America’s health care system, Community Health Centers serve more than 25 million Americans, a number that continues to grow along with the demand for affordable primary care. They have compiled a significant record of success that includes:
• Producing $24 billion in annual health system savings;
• Reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and unnecessary visits to the emergency room;
• Treating patients for a fraction of the average cost of one emergency room visit;
• Maintaining patient satisfaction levels of nearly 100 percent;
• Serving more than one in six Medicaid beneficiaries for less than two percent of the national Medicaid budget.
Health centers not only prevent illness and foster wellness in the most challenging populations, they produce innovative solutions to the most pressing health care issues in their communities. They reach beyond the walls of conventional medicine to address the factors that may cause sickness. Because of their long record of success in innovation, managing health care costs, and reducing chronic disease, health centers have a proud tradition of bipartisan support in Congress.
Founded in 1988, SMC has clinics in Chinook and Harlem and is able to provide a variety of services, including: Primary and preventative healthcare; pediatric, diabetic and well child care; women’s health, case management, minor surgical procedures, screening and laboratory services; X-rays, EKGs, telemedicine, Workman’s comp and sports physicals. SMC has met the stringent guidelines to be certified as a Patient Centered Medical Home. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, SMC provides healthcare to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. SMC’s Health Assistance Program (HAP) helps uninsured and underinsured patients by offering discounted quality health services depending on the patient’s income. Applying for HAP is simple and can be started at SweetMedicalCenter.org. Once approved, HAP reduces the cost of office visits and lab work as well as dental, vision, mental health, pharmacy and transportation assistance. SMC also employs two certified application counselors to help with insurance and Medicaid needs.
To celebrate National Health Center Week, SMC is giving away free, deluxe water bottles to everyone coming in for an appointment or coming in to schedule an appointment August 14th through August 18th. As the finale to National Health Center Week, SMC will be hosting a SWEET SWIM at the Chinook City Pool on Saturday, August 19th from 11am until 1pm. Area residents are encouraged to join SMC for a refreshing, free family swim. Water bottles will be available while supplies last and children must be accompanied by an adult. Nora Conner, SMC’s Outreach and Enrollment Coordinator encourages everyone to participate in the week’s events, “Health Center Week is a great occasion to thank our patients and help area residents learn more about SMC. We’d like to see lots of those water bottles out and about and hope to get a great turnout at the Sweet Swim on Saturday!”
