“It Changed My Life:” Patients Supported by BCBSM’s Strengthening the Safety Net Program Discuss the Crucial Impact of Free Clinics
Jake Newby
| 6 min read
If safety net clinics weren’t around in Michigan, people like Kellie Dore would have had no place to turn during one of the darkest periods of her life.
“Basically, all these things that I had neglected for the last couple of years that I just could not afford, I came to this clinic and once again I was having my health needs met,” said Dore, who unexpectedly lost health insurance coverage in her early 60s.
Dore, a Bay City resident, turned to the Helen M. Nickless Volunteer Clinic – a 20-year Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) Strengthening the Safety Net program grantee – for medical and dental services she simply went without the prior two years.
“It was such a good feeling to feel like somebody actually cared,” Dore said. “So, I think these clinics are there for people who have no one else that is taking care of them.”
The physical and mental pain caused by a serious medical episode can be compounded by a debilitating financial burden when someone who is uninsured has no choice but to pay out of pocket at an urgent care center or emergency room. Safety net clinics like Helen Nickless and Detroit’s HUDA Clinic have strived to ease the physical, mental and financial woes of vulnerable populations in their communities. BCBSM’s Strengthening the Safety Net program is celebrating 20 years of being right there by their side to support their missions.
“Our medication costs alone were $149,916 last year,” said Helen Nickless Office Coordinator Kathy DePrekel. “That was up 49% (for us), everyone knows the price of medication continues to increase. Our funding from BCBSM allows us to continue to offer medications to our patients.”
Bay City woman’s preconceived notions about safety net clinics are dismissed after receiving exemplary care
Dore is someone who was financially comfortable for much of her life. When circumstances beyond her control left her uninsured, she realized she couldn’t keep up with rising medical costs. But the thought of visiting a volunteer-run safety net clinic was concerning to her.
“I had this really bad ear infection, and I did go to my primary care doctor, I got treatment for it. It was very expensive. But instead of getting better it got worse,” Dore said. “I heard of this clinic from a friend of mine. I had never reached out for help before and didn’t really want to do that. I thought, ‘I’m just going to go in there, slide in and slide out, and hopefully nobody sees me that I know.”
The stigma Dore subscribed to washed away almost immediately.
“It was very clean, I didn’t have to wait very long,” she said. “The people were so polite. Kathy was the first person I met. She was so detail-oriented, and she ended up being a big help for me.”
In addition to her ear infection, Dore had a lengthy list of health concerns that the Helen Nickless Clinic helped address. She is a breast cancer survivor. The clinic has facilitated her necessary blood work and Pap Smear and refilled prescription medications she stopped being able to afford, like the kind that helped treat the excruciating migraines she is prone to experiencing.
“That changed my life,” she said. “Just having my migraine medication back on board was a life-changing situation.”
Detroit’s HUDA Clinic continues to grow after starting small in the Muslim Community Center 20 years ago
The HUDA (Health Unit of Davison Avenue) Clinic was established in 2004 by a group of Muslim physicians and community leaders.
“They saw the need within the area for access to medical care,” said HUDA Clinic Executive Director Tracy Wilson. “The Muslim community is still a largest donor base. Their continued assistance with our mission is integral.”
HUDA provides free and low-cost care to the low-income, uninsured and underinsured populations in its surrounding community. If it wasn’t for the HUDA Clinic, Detroit residents like Salimot Taiwo would struggle to find affordable diabetes and high blood pressure care.
“They helped with so many things without taking a dime,” Taiwo said. “(Diabetes) is a sickness that could easily kill somebody. If I couldn’t have it checked out here, I don’t know what would happen to me.”
The clinic provided free dental and vision services to Shah Burhan, as well as blood tests, electrocardiogram and urinalysis. When Jamal Choudhury walked through HUDA Clinic doors, he received diabetes treatment and walked out with the medication he needed. Choudhury noted that HUDA’s staff was warm, helpful and receptive to his needs and requests. Over the last 20 years, the HUDA Clinic has helped ensure that thousands of patients like Taiwo, Burhan and Choudhury avoided not only sickness, but debt they may have never rebounded from.
“Blue Cross has been with us since the very beginning,” Wilson added. “Blue Cross has allowed us to expand our services, they’ve assisted us with our dental program and allowed us to hire additional full-time staff to handle issues like mental health. We have a licensed therapist in house now, and that’s partially thanks to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan funding.”
By the numbers: BCBSM’s Strengthening the Safety Net program has made an indelible impact across Michigan
Now in its 20th year, the Strengthening the Safety Net program helps nearly 50 safety net clinics across the state provide free or low-cost health care with grants of up to $25,000 that provide medical, dental and behavioral health care services. Since 2005, BCBSM has invested $17 million into this grant program, which has helped make a significant impact on improving health outcomes, reducing health disparities, lowering health care costs and strengthening families and communities.
Since 2005, Strengthening the Safety Net grantees have:
- Cared for more than 250,000 low income, uninsured or underinsured patients.
- Provided more than 2 million patient visits.
- Provided health care valued at more than $350 million.
- Reduced the number of unnecessary emergency room visits by 400,000, helping patients access cost-effective, high-quality health care.
- Saved the health care system $200 million by helping patients avoid unnecessary emergency room visits.
- Helped more than 89,000 people apply for health coverage.
Additionally, Strengthening the Safety Net grantees can reach marginalized populations more readily than other health care providers and assist patients in overcoming language and cultural barriers. Seven grantees – including the HUDA Clinic – offer bilingual/bicultural services, such as on-site translators.
“People who need free or low-cost health care feel tremendous relief when they reach out to one of our Strengthening the Safety Net partners.” Said Ken Hayward, BCBSM vice president and special assistant to the president for Community Relations. “We are incredibly proud to celebrate 20 years of the Strengthening the Safety Net with our partners throughout Michigan, serving individuals, families and communities.”
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Photo credit: Tracy Wilson/HUDA Clinic
