Brevard Health Alliance to Operate Community Medical Clinic

Brevard Health Alliance to operate Community Medical Clinic; agreement with Parrish Medical Center gives Alliance countywide service coverage

TITUSVILLE, FL (May 11, 2010) – Parrish Medical Center and Brevard Health Alliance (BHA) has reached an agreement for BHA to assume management this summer of the hospital’s 14-year-old Community Medical Clinic.

The move will establish countywide coverage for BHA as it serves Brevard’s uninsured and underinsured population.

BHA will provide primary care service to the clinic’s patients. The office at 500 North Washington Avenue in Titusville will be staffed by two physicians, an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) and backed up by a support staff.

PMC officials said that BHA is eligible to receive grants and programs – including prescription drug programs – for which the Community Medical Clinic is not eligible. Additionally, the hospital’s analysis of BHA’s processes shows it will actually be able to see more patients than the high number that already use the clinic’s services.

“This transition to BHA is based on our area’s future needs and BHA’s ability to offer additional services,” said Lisa Alexander, PMC vice president of medical affairs. “The Brevard Health Alliance has established an outstanding reputation for its work serving Brevard residents who are uninsured or underinsured.

“We’re proud of the service and care that the Community Medical Clinic has provided to our community,” Alexander said. “The physicians and staff are doing wonderful work. We’re entering this new phase in the clinic’s life because BHA can add new dimensions of service and a countywide presence, both of which fit well with PMC’s mission of healing experiences for everyone all the time.”

Alexander added that another advantage is that BHA will now work with all of Brevard’s major health systems.

BHA is described on its Web site as a federally qualified community health center that serves patients regardless of their ability to pay. Discounted fees are available based on income and family size. BHA participates with Health First Health Plans, Medicare, Medicaid and Florida Healthy Kids.

Lisa Gurri, BHA chief executive officer, said the BHA is enthusiastic about extending its services to north Brevard. “The demand for affordable healthcare continues to grow. We are committed to this growth and increasing access to a medical home for those citizens of North Brevard County. This partnership with Parrish Medical Center will significantly expand healthcare resources to the uninsured and we are very pleased to be working with such a dedicated organization.”

The Community Medical Clinic’s 11 employees are being given the option of joining BHA or applying for employment with PMC.

“With BHA taking over management of something we have already built, the result is a seamless transition for our patients,” Alexander said.

Notification of the management change has been sent to all clinic patients and other interested groups, she added.

During the transition to BHA management, the clinic’s operating schedule will remain the same. BHA also operates a mobile clinic. Details are being worked out about its potential use in north Brevard.

Contact: Julie Canada, MSN, ARNP-C 321-268-0267