Community Health Center of Cape Cod was formed as the Falmouth Free Clinic in 1998 by a group of dedicated physicians, nurses, counselors, and lay people to provide free health services to uninsured residents of Cape Cod and the Islands. Services were delivered, entirely by volunteer providers, once a week in borrowed space at Falmouth Hospital. Driven by the region’s shortage of primary care physicians and the need for affordable care, the Health Center has evolved in response to the community’s needs. In 2003, the organization became licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a community health center, in order to serve adult patients with MassHealth. Today, the Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing a continuum of services for adults, adolescents, children, and families. Patients include those with MassHealth, Commonwealth Care, Medicare, High quality primary care - for adults, children and entire families - is the cornerstone of the Health Center’s services
or no insurance at all. Approximately 72 percent of patients have no insurance or are covered by MassHealth, Commonwealth Care or Medicare.
As an FQHC, in recent years the Health Center has added locations to serve the towns of Barnstable, Bourne, Falmouth, and Mashpee, as well as Martha’s Vineyard and parts of Plymouth and Wareham. Talented clinicians have joined the staff, and the scope of services has widened to integrate outreach, dental, women’s and behavioral health care with primary care.
In February 2008, a new 10,000 sq/ft facility was opened in Mashpee. Patient visits have increased from 5,100 in 2004 to a projected 39,900 in 2010. Since 2004, active patients have more than quadrupled to more than 11,000 in September 2010. The Health Center enrolls 200 to 300 new patients every month.
In October 2010, the Health Center was awarded a $6 million Facilities Improvement Grant from the federal government, which will fund a major expansion of the Mashpee facility. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2011 and last approximately 18 months. The expanded facility will offer additional exam rooms, a new 10-chair dental suite, counseling rooms, as well as space for support and administrative services. New services will include a federally- subsidized pharmacy and an urgent care/walk-in service.
The Health Center is funded by a combination of fees for service, public and private foundations and a strong philanthropy program. Donor support comes from a generous community and fund-raising events.
Services:
Primary Care
High quality primary care - for adults, children and entire families - is the cornerstone of the Health Center’s services. This includes medical care, regular check-ups and screenings, diagnostic testing, and patient education. The comprehensive continuum includes:
Case management/patient navigation service to coordinate the medical, specialty, educational, and mental health needs of patients with chronic conditions
Specialty clinics in the areas of diabetes, OB/GYN, cardiology, hematology, and psychiatry
Family planning, including teen outreach, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, pregnancy testing and information
Prescription assistance program to provide low or no-cost medications
Foreign language and sign language interpreters
Specially trained staff to assist people in applying for MassHealth and Commonwealth Care
Mental Health Care
Recognizing the link between mental health and total well-being, the Health Center’s primary and mental health services are carefully integrated. Psychiatry services, mental health assessments and counseling are provided on site, by social workers, mental health counselors and a psychiatrist.
Dental Care
Research indicates that oral health is an early indicator for several serious chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and HIV/AIDS. The Health Center’s dental clinic provides preventive, restorative and specialty services, with a special emphasis on preventive care for children.
Women’s Health
Comprehensive gynecological services and health education for women at every stage of their lives. Services include preventive screenings, gynecological exams, menopausal management, contraceptive choices, infertility counseling, and gynecological surgery.
Special Programs
The Health Center has developed several special programs to address specific health challenges in the community. They include:
Care Coordination Program -low or no-cost breast, cervical, colon, and prostate screening and education services
Family Resource Center - child psychiatry and behavioral health services for at-risk adolescents and their families
Diabetes Collaborative - provides education, screening, referrals and treatment for people in minority and ethnic populations who have untreated or poorly controlled diabetes
Specialty Network for the Uninsured (SNU) - connects low-income, uninsured people with services from a medical specialist and related diagnostic procedures
Veterans’ Partnership - primary care for veterans provided in conjunction with state and local governments
School Based Health Center -medical care, counseling and dental outreach for students and staff
Locations:
Bourne.................123 Waterhouse Road
Falmouth..............210 Jones Road, Suite 22
Hyannis...............Barnstable High School
Mashpee...............107 Commercial Street
Contact Us:
Mailing Address: 107 Commercial Street
Mashpee, MA 02649
508-477-7090 (Main number)
508-477-5990 (Development Office)
