Accent on Health
Community Outreach
Healthy Communities Access Program (HCAP) coordinates and provides community outreach for BHS under the Accent on Health Department. HCAP began in February 2006 with a $1 million federal grant awarded by the Health Resources Administration to the collaborative efforts of Berkshire Health Systems and Community Health Programs. Berkshire Health Systems continued to fund this outreach work when the grant ended in 2007.
The HCAP mobile outreach team provides health screenings and health insurance enrollment at community sites throughout Berkshire County for uninsured and underinsured individuals. The team is equipped with laptop computers, cell phones and a portable cholesterol machine. Over 500 people were screened during our first year.
Health screenings are completed by a community health nurse and identify an individual's risk for heart disease, diabetes and depression. The screening includes cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure readings. Education about health promotion through specific lifestyle changes are based on the individual's personal assessment and include diet, exercise and smoking cessation. If a health concern is identified, assistance is provided to connect the individual to their primary care provider or other appropriate community resources. Health screenings are free and confidential.
Health Insurance Outreach
Recent legislation in Massachusetts requires that all adults in the state have health insurance by the end of 2007. Assistance with insurance enrollment applications is done by an enrollment specialist to determine eligibility for Mass Health or the new Commonwealth Care.
To facilitate the application process, please bring the following to the screening site:
- Proof of Massachusetts Residency - MA License or MA ID
- Proof of US citizenship - birth certificate or passport
- Two recent pay stubs or copy of most recent tax return
To learn more about health insurance, visit the following websites:
Contact Us
Please call 413-447-2397 for our monthly community schedule or for further information.
Address
Accent on Health
BMC Hillcrest Campus
165 Tor Court
Pittsfield, MA 01201
