In a partnership between area Lions Clubs and their District, East Jordan Family Health Center received a donation of $1,200 towards continuous glucose monitors for diabetic patients in need of financial assistance. Partnering together in this donation are the East Jordan and Central Lake Lions Clubs and Lions District 11 E-2. “Thank you to all the Lions who worked together to make this happen; it will provide a significant benefit to people dealing with diabetes in both of our communities this year,” states Di LaBeau of Central Lake Lions and District 11 E-2 Diabetes Chair coordinating the donation.
As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), the East Jordan Family Health Center strives to offer comprehensive care across chronic disease states including diabetes. The Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers staff two Clinical Pharmacists that work in partnership with our providers to facilitate best medication usage, assist with barriers to care, and provide chronic condition management services. In 2018, the health center’s Clinical Pharmacists launched an initiative to use Continuous Glucose Monitoring to assist in care for patients with diabetes. With this data, the healthcare team is able to evaluate the effectiveness of current medication therapy, provide guidance on medication therapy going forward, and help assess the patient’s nonpharmacologic factors such as their diet and exercise.
The placement and analysis of a continuous glucose monitor is a covered service for many patients through their insurance; however, the health center estimates about 20 out of 100 of our patients will lack insurance and the cost of the monitor is a barrier to their care. In this case, the health center offers a Sliding Fee Discount Program to assist patients with payments. The joint donation by the Central Lake, East Jordan and District Lions will provide monitors to patients with need.
“This is an opportunity to continue to service our diabetic patients with technology normally not afforded to them. Providing quality care while eliminating barriers is essential for our community health center and has an impact on our patients’ lives,” states Rachel Krino, Marketing Director for East Jordan Family Health Center.
