By Colleen Reynolds
OSF HealthCare is expanding access to primary care with the launch of OSF OnCallPrimary CareOn the Go, an innovative mobile clinic designed to bring high-quality, in-person health care directly to communities where access to primary care is limited.
The new service combines the convenience of a mobile clinic with the continuity of a traditional primary care practice by providing a dedicated advanced practice provider and support staff who deliver ongoing, relationship-based care. The first mobile clinic will strategically serve communities where access to primary care has been limited, including underserved communities in Fulton County.
Scheduled stops in include:
- Cuba City Hall, 403 E. Jefferson Street
- Fairview Fire Station, 700 Carter Street
“Access to primary care remains one of the biggest challenges facing many rural and underserved communities,” says Kate Barth, MSN, vice president On Demand Services, OSF OnCall. Primary Care On the Go allows us to meet patients where they are while providing the same trusted, consistent care they would receive in one of our primary care offices.”
Unlike many mobile health services that focus on a single specialty or one-time event, OSF OnCall Primary Care On the Go is designed to function as a true primary care practice. People can establish an ongoing relationship with the same provider and receive preventive care, chronic disease management, wellness visits and treatment for common illnesses.
The mobile clinic also offers:
- Lab draws
- Point-of-care testing
- Electrocardiograms (EKGs)
- Treatment for common illnesses such as colds, flu, sore throats, rashes and pink eye
- Virtual care options when appropriate
Visitors to the clinic will experience the same scheduling process available at traditional OSF primary care clinics, including appointment booking through OSF MyChart once the service launches. Visits are billed the same as a traditional primary care appointment, with no difference in co-pays compared to office-based care.
As the program grows, OSF HealthCare also plans to partner with employers to bring primary care services closer to workplaces, making it easier for employees to receive routine health care without traveling long distances or taking significant time away from work.
OSF OnCall Primary Care On the Go reflects a continued commitment from OSF HealthCare to develop innovative solutions that improve access, strengthen community health and remove barriers to care.
Anyone interested in this option will be able to find clinic locations, schedules and appointment availability through OSF MyChart and the OSF OnCall website when the service launches August 17.
