Funds aimed to enhance access to care and resources in southwest Washington
CLARK COUNTY — Molina Healthcare of Washington has committed more than $16 million to support communities that have been affected by the pandemic with its COVID-19 Community Response Plan.
In Southwest Washington, Molina has supported more than 30 providers, Tribal Nations, food banks, and community-based organizations over the past six months to enhance access to health care services, and to help stabilize key community providers and services throughout the region.
“This pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for the most basic human needs in every community, including access to food, housing, employment, health care, and so much more,” said Peter Adler, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Washington. “Molina is committed to deepening our collaboration with providers and community partners to address these needs and to enhance access to health care services before, during, and beyond this public health crisis.”
Molina is focusing on several key areas of care and support with their pandemic response plan:
- Primary Care Provider Stabilization Support – Molina’s commitment of over $10 million in additional financial support to primary care providers focuses on pediatric and safety net (including Federally Qualified Health Centers) providers across the state. In Southwest Washington, Molina has committed stabilization support to Child and Adolescent Clinic, Creekside Medical Center, Evergreen Pediatric Clinic, Klickitat Valley Health, Klickitat County Public Hospital, Lacamas Medical Group, Legacy Health System, Miller Family Pediatrics, Northshore Medical Group, PeaceHealth, Rose Medical Groups, Sea Mar Community Health Centers, The Vancouver Clinic, Urgent Medical Center Inc., Vancouver Pediatric Care, and Vigor Natural Health Clinic.
- Personal Protective Equipment Donations – Molina is donating personal protective and other equipment to help protect front-line providers and community-based organizations as they provide care through the pandemic. Molina’s PPE donations include thousands of N95 and 3-ply masks, COVID-19 rapid antibody testing kits, face shields, gowns, digital forehead thermometers, nitrile gloves, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes. Molina has donated PPE to Rose Medical Groups and Sea Mar Community Health Centers.
- Food Insecurity Response – Molina’s ongoing response to food insecurity includes providing temporary emergency in-home meals for Molina Medicaid and Medicare members who have been diagnosed or live with someone who has tested COVID-19 positive. Molina has also committed over $100,000 to more than 100 food banks and organizations throughout the state. In Southwest Washington, Molina has contributed to Amboy Food Bank, Bingen Food Bank, Clark County Food Bank, Goldendale Food Bank, Inter-Faith Treasure House, Klickitat Food Bank, Lewis River Mobile Food Bank, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, North County Community Food Bank, One Life Food Pantry, Stevenson Food Bank, and Woodland Action Center.
- Behavioral Health Provider Support
- Substance Use Disorder Provider Support – Molina is making an ongoing investment to increase access to substance use disorder (SUD) services. In 2020, Molina committed nearly $5 million in increased payments to SUD providers with an emphasis on inpatient residential SUD services, and medication assisted and opioid treatment programs. This ongoing investment will yield an increase of over $12 million annually thereafter. In Southwest Washington, Molina’s investment positively impacts Columbia River Mental Health Services, Daybreak Youth Services, Lifeline Connections, Sea Mar Community Health Centers, and Vancouver Treatment Solutions.
- Behavioral Health and Telehealth Support – To increase access to telehealth services, Molina is providing behavioral health provider organizations with technological support and financial and supply donations to facilitate access to resources, such as computers and cell phones. Molina is also offering cell phones and data plans to its Medicaid members who would not otherwise have the capabilities to contact their provider via virtual visits.
- Wraparound with Intensive Services Provider Donations – Molina is providing additional support to Wraparound with Intense Services (WISe) providers, including Catholic Community Services, who take care of children with intensive behavioral health needs. These PPE and financial donations can be utilized to help families with food insecurity.
Additionally, Molina has been actively reaching out to all members who have tested positive with COVID-19 to support their well-being and address any identified needs.
Molina Healthcare of Washington has been providing government-funded care for low-income individuals for over 20 years. As of September 30, 2020, Molina serves over 947,000 members through Medicaid, Medicare and the Health Benefit Exchange programs across the state of Washington.
Additionally, Molina Healthcare of Washington operates a primary care clinic in Everett and a mobile health unit in the Spokane area. For more information, visit MolinaHealthcare.com and connect with them on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Information provided by Molina Healthcare of Washington
