There for Your Every Need: Southcoast Supports the Community
Last year, Southcoast’s Community
Benefits Program once again
increased its support of the region’s
disadvantaged, underserved and
at-risk citizens, providing free access to vital
services they would otherwise do without.
“Southcoast has always paid particular attention to the needs of our neighbors who might have a difficult time getting the health care they need,” said Ellen Banach, Senior Vice President of Strategic Services at Southcoast. “And, Southcoast will continue to do so in the future.”
In 2006, Southcoast spent more than $7.8 million helping community members get the care they needed. In addition, Southcoast provided more than $8.5 million in care to Medicaid patients, for which it was not reimbursed.
Connecting You to Health Services
In 2006, Southcoast Patient Financial Services connected about 4,000 patients with free and discounted health care and insurance. After the introduction of Commonwealth Care in 2007, special information and sign-up days have helped people enroll in the best health program for them.Further closing the gap in health care services, Southcoast interpreters helped patients and caregivers communicate almost 18,000 times. Services are available in Portuguese, Spanish, Khmer and many other languages.
Early Screenings and Health Education
Southcoast has a long-standing tradition of free community education, prevention and screening activities. In 2006, Southcoast provided screenings for skin, prostate, head/neck, breast and cervical cancers. In addition, the Southcoast Health Van hit the road with free health screenings, education and services for more than 3,100 residents — an increase of 20 percent over 2005.Southcoast’s Cardiac Prevention Program now involves more than 5,000 people. The program screens patients for risk factors and helps them make healthy changes to prevent heart disease.
Southcoast also supports many programs and services for children and teens. These include youth summits, mentoring and education about parenting, sexual activity and smoking.
