CENTER LINE–MyCare Health Center, a Macomb County-based Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), was asked to present during Azara Healthcare, LLC’s annual virtual conference on May 6 and a second virtual spring clinical conference hosted by the Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) on May 7. During the Azara presentation, Kara Gee, Director of Quality and Compliance, shared MyCare’s innovative approach to using the Azara Care Management Module (ACM) for improved care coordination and quality of care for their patients. Eva Lappin, MyCare’s Revenue Cycle Manager, provided her expertise on billing innovations and practices that are crucial for successful reimbursement of care management services. MyCare Health Center was one of three health centers awarded the Azara Care Management Module through the Overdose to Action Grant in 2020.
Kara Gee was asked to present at the MPCA virtual conference to speak on behalf of MyCare regarding the Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Referral best practices. Her presentation shared MyCare’s journey regarding their recognition for its best practices in participation with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) during years two and three of the 1815 Diabetes Grant through the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). The challenges and successes shared in relation to the DSMES Referrals will allow other healthcare organizations to learn more about these programs and hopefully bring these best practices back to their facilities and the diabetic populations they serve.
As a FQHC and first responder, MyCare provides high quality primary and preventative healthcare to all regardless of their ability to pay. MyCare operates three clinics, in Mount Clemens, Clinton Township, and another in Center Line. The integrated services provided include; routine medical care for adults, children and infants; dentistry, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), behavioral health, podiatry, laboratory services, women’s health services along with other support services aimed to improve the health and wellness of the community. To help prevent the risk of spreading the virus, clinics are now encouraging patients to call ahead if they feel they are symptomatic. For those patients visiting the clinics for in-person appointments, MyCare is taking every precaution to keep the risk for these patients low by frequently cleaning all surfaces, requiring masks to enter, taking temperatures at the door, and screening each patient with COVID related questions. The Center Line dental clinic is now seeing new and existing patients for routine and emergency care. For an appointment, please call 586-467-0980.
Karen Wood, MyCare’s chief executive officer, stated, “I am so proud to work with Kara and Eva and that they were recognized by their peers as subject matter experts. Their knowledge was well received by the participants of each conference. It is my hope that others in our field benefited from what they shared.”
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number H80CS26572 from the Public Health Service ACT, Title III, Section 330 for $1,695,979.00 total with 71 percent financed with nongovernmental sources. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.
To learn more about MyCare Health Center, their services and providers, visit http://www.mycarehealthcenter.org/
(Photos Provided: Kara Gee is pictured left alongside Eva Lappin)
–Courtesy Erika DeLange, MyCare Health Center