New Lee Physician Group medical office now open to serve uninsured and underinsured
The Lee Physician Group North Fort Myers United Way House is now open for patients. The goal is to primarily serve the local uninsured and underinsured.
The medical office will offer essential primary care services, access to quality disease management programs, and an opportunity for area residents to establish an ongoing relationship with a primary care clinician.
The clinic is run in collaboration with the United Way, where patients will also have a connection to other needed services.
It’s a new and exciting concept for the area, said Lee Memorial’s System director and spokesperson Mary Briggs.
“It’s not a walk-in clinic, it is a place you need to make an appointment, to establish a relationship with a primary care physician on a regular basis. What happens is that so many people wait (with a serious illness) until they have to go to the emergency room.”
Patients will be charged on a sliding-fee, with the majority of expenses paid by a government grant.
“We have one federal grant for $1.5 million,” said Briggs. “It was used in part to open a like-clinic in Dunbar.”
That clinic has been a great success.
“Then because we saw the need in North Fort Myers, we have opened this office under the same grant. The grant covers about 60 percent of operating the clinic,” she said.
The medical practice occupies space that previously housed Lee Memorial Convenient Care at 13279 N. Cleveland Ave.
Services offered include adult primary care, diabetes management, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lab services, x-rays and other diagnostic testing.
There is a lab and an x-ray machine on site, and other diagnostic testing.
Lee Memorial Health System’s electronic health records system is operational at the clinic and will be helpful in coordinating care between the clinic, emergency department, and hospitals.
Like any physicians office, if you have have chronic illness like diabetes, or even the flu, you can be treated.
“Those who do not have a primary care physician, or those who don’t have insurance will be served. The whole purpose of the clinic is to serve the community.”
At the site of the former clinic there, many local employers took those with Workers Compensation to that office. They are now being directed to clinic at Page Field.
The office is staffed by a nurse practitioner, who works under the direction of a physician, along with a medical assistant and several staff members who work in support roles.
By placing the office in a central community location, Lee Physician Group is bringing health services to areas where the need is greatest, Briggs said. The clinic focus is on preventive care. Area residents are encouraged to establish a relationship with the medical staff at the clinic and to seek treatment for their health care problems before they become catastrophic.
“Our mission is to provide the right care, at the right place at the right time,” said Dr. Avra Bowers, medical director of Lee Physician Group in a prepared statement.
Sharing space with United Way agencies creates a synergy between the medical and social service needs of area residents, officials said.
Referral services are coordinated by the Salvation Army, which serves as the lead agency at the clinic, connecting patients with partnering agencies through United Way’s 211 information service.
“We introduced this clinic/agency model at the Lee Physician Group Dunbar United Way House earlier this year, and have met with tremendous success,” said Cliff Smith, president of the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades in a prepared statement. “The opportunity to meet the needs of the community, both medical and social, in one convenient location is a wonderful benefit for the community.”
Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m to 7 p.m. Appointments are required, and same day appointments are available. Appointments can be made by calling 997-9733.
New Lee Physician Group medical office now open to serve uninsured and underinsured
The Lee Physician Group North Fort Myers United Way House is now open for patients. The goal is to primarily serve the local uninsured and underinsured.
The medical office will offer essential primary care services, access to quality disease management programs, and an opportunity for area residents to establish an ongoing relationship with a primary care clinician.
The clinic is run in collaboration with the United Way, where patients will also have a connection to other needed services.
It’s a new and exciting concept for the area, said Lee Memorial’s System Director and spokesperson Mary Briggs.
- “It’s not a walk-in clinic, it is a place you need to make an appointment, to establish a relationship with a primary care physician on a regular basis. What happens is that so many people wait (with a serious illness) until they have to go to the emergency room.”
Patients will be charged on a sliding-fee, with the majority of expenses paid by a government grant.
“We have one federal grant for $1.5-million,” said Briggs. “It was used in part to open a like-clinic in Dunbar.” That clinic has been a great success. “Then because we saw the need in North Fort Myers, we have opened this office under the same grant. The grant covers about 60 percent of operating the clinic.”
The medical practice occupies space that previously housed Lee Memorial Convenient Care at 13279 N. Cleveland Ave.
Services offered include adult primary care, diabetes management, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lab services, x-rays and other diagnostic testing.
There is a lab and an x-ray machine on site, and other diagnostic testing.
Lee Memorial Health System’s electronic health records system is operational at the clinic and will be helpful in coordinating care between the clinic, emergency department, and hospitals.
Like any physicians office, if you have have chronic illness like diabetes, or even the flu, you can be treated. “Those who do not have a primary care physician, or those who don’t have insurance will be served. The whole purpose of the clinic is to serve the community.”
At the site of the former clinic there, many local employers took those with workers compensations to that office. They are now being directed to clinic at Page Field.
The office is staffed by a nurse practitioner, who works under the direction of a physician, along with a medical assistant and several staff members who work in support roles.
By placing the office in a central community location, Lee Physician Group is bringing health services to areas where the need is greatest, Briggs said. The clinic focus is on preventive care. Area residents are encouraged to establish a relationship with the medical staff at the clinic and to seek treatment for their health care problems before they become catastrophic.
“Our mission is to provide the right care, at the right place at the right time,” said Dr. Avra Bowers, Medical Director of Lee Physician Group in a prepared statement.
Sharing space with United Way agencies creates a synergy between the medical and social service needs of area residents, officials said.
Referral services are coordinated by the Salvation Army, which serves as the lead agency at the clinic, connecting patients with partnering agencies through United Way’s 211 information service.
“We introduced this clinic/agency model at the Lee Physician Group Dunbar United Way House earlier this year, and have met with tremendous success,” said Cliff smith, President of the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades in a prepared statement. “The opportunity to meet the needs of the community, both medical and social, in one convenient location is a wonderful benefit for the community.”
Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m to 7 p.m. Appointments are required, and same day appointments are available. Appointments can be made by calling 997-9733.