BY CATHY HALL for WEEKLY VOLCANO 12/5/25 |
Community Health Care takes the word “community” in its name seriously. Yes, the organization provides medical, dental, behavioral health, and low-cost pharmacy services to patients, but it also serves the broader community.
We are currently in the middle of what is known as open enrollment. Open enrollment is the time of year when you can change your Apple Health (Medicaid) or Medicare coverage. Navigating the insurance system can be confusing and frustrating, so Community Health Care offers insurance navigation services. A team of dedicated professionals is ready to answer questions about Apple Health and Medicare and to determine what Apple Health services you might be eligible for. You do not have to be a patient to take advantage of this service. Call (253) 722-2154.
Community Health Care also offers Prompt Care. The Prompt Care clinic is located in the Hilltop building on Martin Luther King Way. Prompt Care is similar to urgent care. It is a walk-in clinic where you can be seen for minor issues such as a sprained ankle, a rash, a cold or flu, a headache, or a fever. Prompt Care is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Again, you do not have to be a patient to use this service.
On Community Health Care’s website there is a page called “Community Resources.” This page offers links to services throughout the area for people who need them. These include emergency shelters, housing services, low-income homeownership programs, food banks, drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services, disability services, childcare, legal aid, and transportation. The list is not complete; new links are added regularly. It is, however, a great place to start. Within the services community, organizations often know about each other’s work, and if Community Health Care cannot fill your need, staff can likely direct you to someone who can. To access the page, visit https://www.commhealth.org/patient-resources/community-resources/
Community Health Care also values being present in local neighborhoods. At nearly any local resource fair, you will find representatives at a table covered with a teal tablecloth. Staff members offer giveaways such as toothbrushes, hand sanitizer, bandage holders, and fidget spinners. They also share information about all the services Community Health Care provides. Representatives are available to answer questions or make suggestions. If they do not have the answer to your specific issue, they probably know someone who does.
Community Health Care takes both its name and its mission seriously. The mission is to provide the highest quality health care with compassionate and accessible service for all, and that mission extends even further. High-quality health care should be accessible to everyone. If you are uninsured, billing can be done on a sliding scale. At Community Health Care, no one is ever turned away for inability to pay. For appointments, call (253) 722-2161. Staff would love to have you as a patient.
