The tour will increase access to critical health services for rural communities by taking healthcare on the road and meeting people where they are – offering free prescription glasses, vision and dental screenings, and fluoride treatments. These services will be available to all members of the public, regardless of Coordinated Care membership, with no appointment needed on a first-come, first-served basis.
"Access to preventive care – like a vision and dental screening, a pair of glasses – can make an enormous difference in someone's health and quality of life," said Beth Johnson, CEO of Coordinated Care. "Geography shouldn't determine a family's access to proactive, preventative care. By bringing these vans directly into communities where people live, work, and go to school, especially rural communities that may lack access to these services, we're removing barriers and making it easier for families across Washington state to get the high-quality care they deserve."
The dental van "Flossy" will offer a free dental screening for kids and adults, and fluoride treatment for ages 4-18, and every attendee – not just those screened – will receive a free dental kit that includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. "SeeMore," the vision van, will offer free vision screenings and eyeglass prescriptions, available as single vision or line bifocals. Patients who need new glasses can choose frames onsite and have them shipped to their home within a month. Free reading glasses and sunglasses will also be available.
"When more people have fair access to care, communities can thrive," said Vanetta Abdelatiff, president and CEO of Arcora Foundation. "We are proud to support Coordinated Care in addressing the immediate oral health needs of more people across the state—especially those in underinvested in communities— which supports our long term goal ensuring everyone can get the care they need when, where, and how they need it."
Each stop of the tour is expected to draw hundreds of attendees, with approximately 35 to 40 dental screening appointments and up to 200 vision screening appointments per day.
Recognizing that improving whole-person health goes beyond basic care, Coordinated Care is partnering with local organizations at each stop to connect attendees with additional resources, like fresh produce and shelf-stable food boxes from regional food banks; immunizations and blood pressure checks; free haircuts; books and school supplies; and more. Additionally, the Centene Foundation has donated funds for supplies such as diapers, formula, hygiene products, and clothes that will be distributed at tour stops in Spokane to families impacted by the recent wildfires.
The tour will also be joined by Walter Jones, a Seattle Seahawks legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer. Jones will close out the tour in Yakima, joining for a special giveaway of 1,000 free pairs of shoes for kids ahead of the start of the new school year.
"I'm always excited to work with Coordinated Care because they understand the importance of whole person care that meets families where they are," said Seattle Seahawks legend Walter Jones. "I'm joining their statewide vision and dental tour with the last stop in Yakima, where we'll also be sending 1,000 kids home with a free pair of shoes. This is exactly the kind of whole-person support Washington families deserve, and I'm honored to be part of it."
For more information on the tour stops, click here. For questions about attending any tour stop, please contact Leanne Sangster at [email protected].
About Coordinated Care
Coordinated Care provides free and low-cost health insurance coverage to more than 300,000 Medicaid, foster care, Medicare and marketplace members across Washington, with more than 30,000 providers in-network. Coordinated Care is committed to transforming the health of the community one person at a time. They treat the whole person by breaking down barriers to accessing care, walking members through their benefits, and connecting them to the care they need. Coordinated Care is a Washington managed care organization and a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. To learn more, visit https://www.coordinatedcarehealth.com/WA-first.html.
SOURCE Coordinated Care
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