How to resolve AdBlock issue? “We opened officially on Tuesday,” said Dr. Renee Rodriguez, director of the Center. “We have had people coming in already for health screenings and people are calling to find out more about us.”
The Center serves patients regardless of their ability to pay and helps those without health insurance apply for free and low-cost coverage.
SCHC was built to relieve the emergency room of patients who turn to them for non-emergency medical care, as well as give people who have not gone to a doctor because they can afford it or they are under-insured a place to finally get their medical needs cared for. The Center became a reality for Saratoga County residents through fundraising—the Saratoga Foundation raised the majority of the money necessary to operate it—nearly $3 million.
Dr. Rodriguez explained that SCHC will work to build relationships between the doctors and patients and by providing a “patient navigator” who will help new patients through the paperwork process and finding other resources they may need. Patients, who have no insurance, may qualify for the Child and Family Health Plus program, Medicare or Medicaid.
Continuing, she said that if they don’t qualify for any of those programs, Saratoga Hospital also has a financial assistance program that may be able to get them medical coverage on a sliding-scale based plan.
But, she said, patients do not need to worry about the initial paperwork if they need medical care.
“They need to just come in and get their health needs met first,” continued Dr. Rodriguez. “Then afterwards they can meet with a social worker here to see what documents they need. The goal is to get the patient hooked up with as much as they qualify for.”
Kathy McNeice, program director at the Center, pointed out that SCHS was not for emergencies or medical issues that need immediate care, nor is a clinic. Appointments are necessary, but some same day services can be offered if there is an opening on the day’s schedule.
“If someone is sick and in need of immediate medical care, they need to go to the emergency room or urgent care,” explained McNeice. “If they are looking to establish with a primary care physician, we are more than happy to work with them.”
Once a patient comes in, they will be seen by a primary care doctor who will evaluate what their medical needs are.
“Everyone enters through our primary care and we assess what their needs are,” said Dr. Rodriguez. “I find that once [new patients] have interaction with a provider, they recognize how important it is [to take care of their medical needs.”
After the patient sees the doctor, the Center will help them find what programs they may qualify for in order to meet their medical, dental or mental health needs.
The medical team includes Dr. Rodriguez, who practices family medicine; Alexander Cardiel, M.D., internal medicine; Sarah Fox, D.D.S., dentistry; Sophia Anna Monsour, D.O., psychiatry; and McNeice.
“This center has enormous potential to change patients’ lives for the better,” said Dr. Rodriguez. “For many, the Community Health Center offers the first opportunity to have a relationship with a primary care provider and to reap the long-term benefits of routine, preventive care.”
The Community Health Center is open Mondays through Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are required and may be made by calling (518) 886-5600.
