KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One of Kansas City, Missouri's oldest health care clinics is preparing for a flood of new patients.
KC Care Health Center serves all patients, but specializes in meeting the needs of the uninsured and under-insured.
Wil Franklin, CEO of the KC Care Health Center, said the clinic is starting to receive more calls from newly uninsured patients, and he expects the trend to continue.
"We're bracing for large community need,” Franklin said, “not just in the next 90 days, but even following that as we see unemployment numbers skyrocket.”
According to a new report from the Annals of Internal Medicine, since COVID-19 began spreading, 1.5 million Americans have lost health insurance. The report projects that the number will jump to 5.7 million Americans by June 30.
KC Care Health Center is turning to telemedicine as a way to increase efficiency and see more patients. Since COVID-19 hit, the clinic has been treating 40 percent of its patients through secure telehealth appointments. Last year, only 4 percent of patients were seen through telemedicine.
"If we can continue to scale-up telehealth operations like we're doing, we're hoping that we can expand access, even provide more opportunities for care," Franklin said.
Emma Windham, KC Care Health Center physician’s assistant, estimates that half of her patients are on video chat. The other half are seen in the clinic.
"It's easier for them to schedule an appointment and be seen,” Windham said. “It's a lot more convenient for them, which means we get to see them more often.”
In addition to telehealth, KC Care Health Center managers said they also will need more donations from the public to help cover the cost. Donations can be made by texting HELPKC to 44-321 and selecting a giving level. Donations also can be made on the KC Care Health Center website. KC Care Health Center is a nonprofit organization and the majority of its patients live below the federal poverty level.
KC Care Health Center has four locations in the Kansas City metro. Dental services are on hold unless it is a medical emergency; but they provide health care for adults, children, as well as mental health and behavioral services.
