A rural health center is a clinic intended to increase access to primary care services for patients in rural communities. RHCs can be public, nonprofit, or for-profit healthcare facilities.
RHC's provide health care for under served areas and communities where the citizens may not have access to the best insurances. The centers are required to use a team approach of physicians working with non-physician providers such as nurse practitioners (NP), physician assistants (PA), and certified nurse midwives (CNM) to provide services.
Through an approved RHC, a patient's insurance still pays their part of the medical bill, but the federal and state government pays the remainder of the bill so the doctor's office does not go bankrupt and can continue to provide services.
The new Cornerstone Coordinated Health Care Center in Ashland, located at 2114 Centre Street, is operated by Dr. James Greenfield, who has also operated a rural health center, Cornerstone RHC, in Frackville, since 2012.
Greenfield opened the second clinic to provide health care in after seeing the need for one in the Ashland. and Mount Carmel areas.
"Our area needed more facilities that are going to help out with patients that can't get to doctor's offices without transportation. The new facility is within walking distance and it's a nice location for people to get to other locations if they need to." said Greenfield.
Currently, the clinic is providing primary care which means they will see anyone from a few weeks old to the elderly. The clinic also accepts ALL insurances. For those interested in additional services they can contact their Frackville office. These additional services include counseling, drug addiction services, and most recently in car, drive up COVID-19 testing.
The new office has four exam rooms, with additional rooms that will be used as needed.
Anyone wishing to schedule an appointment can contact the Ashland office at (570) 794-6123.
A special phone number has been set up for those looking for COVID-19 testing at (570) 392-3338, and for all other appointments and or questions/concerns please call the main office at (570)794-6123.
Photos and story by J. Reed
