Keystone First launches new Mobile Wellness and Opportunity Center

Keystone First, Southeastern Pennsylvania's largest Medicaid health plan, held its ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch its new Mobile and Wellness Opportunity Center on Sunday, August 27, at the Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, in Philadelphia. Much like the brick-and-mortar wellness center in Chester, PA., the objective of the mobile center is to help Medicare members overcome social, economic, and environmental barriers to achieving and maintaining a healthy life by delivering healthcare services and resources to where they live, work, shop, and socialize.

- Lorraine Lavender-Sams

The Mobile Wellness and Opportunity Center is open to members and the public will offer a variety of services, including health education workshops, fitness and nutrition classes, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits counseling, and opportunities for members to complete their health risk assessments and attend Mission GED classes to earn their general equivalency diplomas (GED's). Initially, the mobile unit will focus on health education programs such as chronic disease, stress management classes, and healthy cooking demonstrations before introducing more robust offerings of health screenings, wellness checks, and childhood vaccinations.

Keystone First Market President Joanne McFall said the health plan will consult with its healthcare provider network to determine the most effective strategy to target specific health concerns of the state most vulnerable communities.

"The mobile unit will help us meet members where they are and enhance their engagement with the health care system and their community," she said.