Access to Health Care

New York State Health Insurance Facilitated Enrollment

Prescription Assistance Program

Vision Services Program

Transportation Services Information

Dental and Oral Health Services

Health Education, Health Promotion and Wellness Programs

Wellness Programs (including Simply Health)

Community Trail Building Technical Assistance

Community Development Initiatives

Rural Health Service Corps (AmeriCorps)

Local Food Initiative

Tioga Neighbors Helping Neighbors Projects

 

 

Access to Health Care:  The Rural Health Network of South Central NY (RHNSCNY) believes that all rural residents should have access to adequate and affordable health care.  Staff at RHNSCNY works with health and human service providers throughout the three-county service area and has an extensive knowledge of services available.  Additionally, RHNSCNY improves access to health care for rural residents through the following programs:

 

New York State Health Insurance

The Rural Health Network of South Central NY (RHNSCNY) provides Facilitated Enrollment Services to assist individuals and families to apply for New York State sponsored health insurance programs including Medicaid, Family Health Plus, Children’s Medicaid and Child Health Plus.  Eligibility is based in part on income guidelines. RHNSCNY offers Facilitated Enrollment Services primarily at the Network’s office in Whitney Point, N.Y.  

Call the Network at 1-888-603-5973 or Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network at  1-800-231-0744  to schedule an appointment or for more information.

Prescription Assistance Program

Each year, the Prescription Assistance Program serves hundreds of uninsured residents who require prescription medication to manage chronic health conditions. Staff members work with primary health care practitioners and directly with those in need to access free and low-cost prescription medication through the pharmaceutical manufacturers' assistance programs. Staff also assists residents that are on Medicare D with some discount programs to help avoid high co-pays.  During 200, more than 375 referrals were made to these programs.

 

Note: Options for Pharmacy Access in the Southern Tier was published by the Rural Health Network of South Central NY in 2006. This publication provides comprehensive information on the numerous resources available for accessing prescription drugs for individuals who cannot otherwise afford them.

 

Click here to view our Rx Options Booklet (.pdf)

 

If you are a primary care provider interested in referring uninsured patients to this program, please download the following form:

 
Primary Care Provider Intake Form

 

For more information on Prescription Assistance call 888-603-5973

 

Vision Services Programs

The Rural Health Network of South Central NY staff educates individuals on vision services assistance programs and directly assists rural residents in accessing these resources. During 2006, more than 80 adults and children received eye exams and/or frames and lenses through these efforts. 

 

For more information on Vision Services Programs call 888-603-5973

 

Click here to view our Vision Resource Guide (.pdf)

 

 

Transportation Services Information

Rural Health Network of South Central NY is compiling information on all ground transportation resources available in Delaware, Tioga and Broome Counties.  A transportation information web-based search engine is currently available for Broome and Tioga Counties (see link below). Information for Delaware County is expected to be added in the near future.

 

Click here for our Broome-Tioga Transportation Services Directory

 

Dental & Oral Health Services

Those in need of dental/oral health care can contact the Rural Health Network of South Central NY (RHNSCNY) to find out more about providers in their area. The number of dental clinics in our service area that accept Medicaid has increased significantly over the past few years resulting in increased access to dental care for both children and adults.  RHNSCNY has supported several oral health initiatives by providing resources and technical assistance.  Oral health projects supported include the Tioga County Mobile Dental Van and the Dental Clinic at O’Connor Hospital in Delhi, N.Y. 

 

For more information on dental & oral health services call 888-603-5973

 

Click Here To Complete Our Health Care Access Intake Form

 

 

Health Education, Health Promotion and Wellness Programs: Over half of all chronic diseases are preventable or controllable with attention to healthy diet, physical activity, no tobacco use and stress management.  It is essential that rural residents have access to current health and wellness information and programming to help prevent chronic disease and maintain optimal health.  Our staff works closely with other organizations providing health education and wellness services in our rural communities.  The Rural Health Network of South Central NY offers the following programs and activities to help rural residents prevent chronic disease and maximize their health:

 

Wellness Programs

The Rural Health Network offers the Simply Health Wellness Program. Sessions are held once a week, for nine weeks.  Simply Health is designed to help participants live a healthier life through better eating habits, increased physical activity and stress reduction. Class lessons are presented by area health, nutrition and fitness professionals. Incentives, including pedometers and stretch bands, are given to participants to encourage continued activity outside of the classroom. Documented results of the Simply Health program include weight loss and lowered blood pressure for participants.

 

Click here to view June-August 2009 Simply Health Newsletter (pdf)

Click here to view March-May 2009 Simply Health Newsletter (pdf)

Click here to view Dec 2008 - Mar 2009 Simply Health Newsletter (pdf)

Click here to view May 2008 Simply Health Newsletter (pdf)

 

Simply Health for Youth: The Rural Health Network is working with the Whitney Point School District to pilot an after-school wellness program for third grade students. This 10 lesson program meets twice per week for five weeks. Youth lesson plans come from the following evidence based programs: CATCH Kids Club; Media-Smart Youth: Eat, Think, Be Active; Second Step: Violence Prevention Curriculum. Each class consists of a healthy message, a healthy snack and 20 minutes of physical activity.

 

For more information on Wellness Programs, including Simply Health call 888-603-5973

 

Hiking/Biking Trails (Technical Assistance)

The Rural Health Network of South Central NY provides technical assistance to rural communities interested in establishing and/or maintaining community trails. In Tioga County, we are an active partner in the Tioga County Active Living Partnership (TC-ALP), a grass roots group whose mission is “To serve as a catalyst between local communities and funding sources, and to facilitate the implementation of community driven projects that promote community well-being in Tioga County.

 

For more information on Trail Assistance or the TC-ALP, call 888-603-5973
 

View Trails of Tioga, Destination: Health Map

 

Community Development Initiatives: Rural communities are often challenged with difficult issues including population loss, economic decline, loss of essential services and higher incidences of many or most chronic diseases than their urban counterparts.  The Rural Health Network of South Central NY (RHNSCNY) recognizes that just as many of these challenges are interrelated, so should be the actions taken to improve quality of life and economic/community viability at all levels.  Working toward a holistic and comprehensive approach to improving rural health and rural life, RHNSCNY is involved in the following projects and activities:

 

Rural Health Service Corps

The Rural Health Service Corps (RHSC) is an AmeriCorps National Service Program administered by the Rural Health Network of South Central New York (RHNSCNY). The purpose of RHSC is to provide meaningful service and learning opportunities for young people committed to improving the health and lives of those living in South Central New York State. The RHSC is currently operating with 13 full-time and 12 part-time positions through Broome, Tioga, Chenango, and Otsego Counties. Education award slots are also available and may be paired with an internship for college credit. RHSC members are assigned to serve on priority projects either with RHNSCNY directly or with a host agency.

 

For more information on the Rural Health Service Corps, and an online application, click here

 

  

Local Foods Initiative

The Rural Health Network is working with a diverse group of partners to explore and further develop a relationship between the health sector and local agriculture/food production.  Development of a more viable local/community food system can realize multiple benefits (health, social, economic, etc.) for rural communities.  In October of 2006, and again in October 2008, RHNSCNY hosted Growing Health, a celebration of healthy, locally grown foods.  

 

Slideshow of Pictures from the Forum

 

The Rural Health Network of South Central NY provides administrative support for the Regional Community Food Project. This diverse group of partners includes farmers, farm organizations and U.S.D.A. staff, health professionals, dieticians, Cornell Cooperative Extension staff, public school administrators and food service directors, food bank and food pantry leaders, etc. The purpose of the Regional Community Food Project is to promote and help implement policies and practices leading to increased use of nutritious, locally produced foods, creating food secure communities, and improving the quality of life in South Central New York State.

 

For more information or to request being included on the Regional Community Food Project listserv, call 888-603-5973.

 

The Northern Broome Farmers’ Market Access Project is intended to provide access to nutritious, locally produced foods from the Whitney Point Farmers’ Market to homebound citizens, including the homebound elderly that live in Northern Broome County. Food will be transported via volunteers. In some instances, volunteers will be able to assist the homebound individual to the market, enabling them to shop for themselves. We are currently seeking clients and volunteers for this project. If you are able to help, please contact us at 888-603-5973 or jstalker@ruralhealthnetwork.org

 

Tioga Neighbors Helping Neighbors Projects

The Rural Health Network of South Central NY provides support and technical assistance to the Tioga County Neighbors Helping Neighbors Projects.  Projects include the Northern Tioga Neighbors Network, serving the communities of Richford and Berkshire; Senior Information and Referral Service, serving the communities of Spencer and Van-Etten; and the Community Care Network of Nichols.  The goal of this effort is to establish sustainable community volunteer programs throughout Tioga County. The Rural Health Network of SCNY works closely with these three volunteer programs and the Tioga County Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) to support these vital programs.  Rural Health Service Corps members are serving or have served with all Neighbors Helping Neighbors community volunteer groups.

 

For more information or to volunteer, call 888-603-5973.