IEHP, Alinea Medical Imaging host mobile mammogram clinics at wellness centers

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Aug 15, 2024, 13:30 ET

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Aug. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) and Alinea Medical Imaging are once again teaming up to host mobile mammogram clinics.

From August to December, Alinea's pink RV and support vehicles will roll into each of IEHP's Community Wellness Centers to provide much-needed screenings for IEHP members age 40 and older who are due for a mammogram.

Inland Empire Health Plan and Alinea Medical Imaging are partnering to host a series of mobile mammogram clinics at the health plan’s three Community Wellness Centers in Riverside, Victorville and San Bernardino. Open to IEHP members 40 and up in need of a mammogram, the goal of the series is to connect the community to much-needed care in their own backyard.

Mammography results will be available to patients within 14 days of their screening. If a follow-up is needed, one will be scheduled.

Amy Jirat, a mammogram tech for Alinea Medical Imaging, assists with patient testing on Aug. 6 at IEHP’s Community Wellness Center in Riverside.

Appointments are available from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. once a month at each of IEHP's Community Wellness Centers, with the exception of September.

"It means a lot that our centers can bridge the gap for IEHP members to get direct clinical services at the same place they come for fitness, wellness, and health education classes," said Community Wellness Center Director Delia Orosco.

Clinics began Aug. 6 at the Riverside center and will continue from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on the following dates and locations:

Riverside Community Wellness Center, 3590 Tyler Street
Oct. 21, Nov. 1 and Dec. 9
San Bernardino Community Wellness Center, 802 West Second Street
Aug. 30, Oct. 29, Nov. 18 and Dec. 2
Victorville Community Wellness Center, 12353 Mariposa Road, Suites C2 and C3
Aug. 26, Oct. 14, Nov. 6 and Dec. 3

For Cindy C., an IEHP member from Perris, having access to nearby services removes the barrier of traveling a long distance for a screening.

"I felt like this was important because I'm supposed to get a mammogram every year being that my mother's side of the family is very high-risk," she said. "I haven't done it in many years, probably five. It's been a long time—too long."

In January, IEHP and Alinea partnered to bring mammogram services to the city of Indio, where dozens of IEHP members received care during the hours-long event. Riverside University Health Systems (RUHS) supported the endeavor.

Its success—and partnership clinics that followed—paved a way for both health organizations to think outside of the box when it came to how it could reach even more members in the community.

"We choose to bring these services to this population [of women] because there are so many who are not sure how to schedule, show up or are sure how a mammogram is performed," said Lauren Leber, project manager for Alinea. "Our team specializes in assisting to schedule, inform and provide services to those who need it."

Mammograms are strongly encouraged for women age 40 and older. Patients under 40 can schedule services but must have a doctor's referral stating the patient is at high-risk for cancer. Mammography results will be available to patients within 14 business days of their screening.

To check eligibility requirements, members can call IEHP Member Services at 866-228-4347. TTY users should call 711. Appointments must be made in advance.

For what to expect during your screening, go to iehp.org to learn more.

About IEHP

With a mission to heal and inspire the human spirit, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is one of the top 10 largest Medicaid health plans, the largest not-for-profit Medicare-Medicaid public health plan in the country, and for the fourth year in a row, certified as A Great Place To Work®. Founded in 1996, IEHP supports more than 1.5 million Riverside and San Bernardino County residents enrolled in Medicaid or IEHP DualChoice (those with both Medi-Cal and Medicare). As of 2024, IEHP also offers Covered California plans, further ensuring health care access for even more IE residents. Today, IEHP has a robust network of quality doctors throughout our two counties and nearly 4,000 team members who are fully committed to the vision: We will not rest until our communities enjoy optimal care and vibrant health. To learn more, go to iehp.org.

SOURCE Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP)