After 12 years of service to local communities, including Polk County, Access II Care of Western North Carolina announces that they have changed the agency name from Access II Care of Western North Carolina to Community Care of Western North Carolina.

While the precise details of how health care will look in 5 or 10 years remain elusive, it is clear we are entering an era of greater collective accountability for the quality and cost-effectiveness of health care delivery.

Along with the new name, you’ll notice a new logo and color scheme changing soon on all mailings, promotional materials and other communications. Although the group looks different, it is still the same local community-based network of physicians and health care providers committed to providing the highest quality of medical care for the Medicaid, Medicare and uninsured populations of Western North Carolina.

Community Care’s goal is to increase access to care for Medicaid and low-income, uninsured residents of Polk County. Over the past 12 years, CCWNC has worked with Medicaid recipients, uninsured residents and local primary care providers to provide targeted case management services that will improve quality of care while containing costs. These services include, but are not limited to, disease management education and follow-up, helping patients coordinate their care or access needed services and collecting data on process and outcome measures.

Since 2008, CCWNC has invested over $270,000 in HealthNet funding to meet this goal. Approximately 1,000 residents have benefited from a countywide collaboration focused on providing medical and dental assistance to low income uninsured residents. This year, another $100,000 has been distributed to community partners to continue access to care services to the residents of Polk County

Community Care’s HealthNet is about collaboration, it is not an insurance plan.

CCWNC’s HealthNet:

• Provides care management services to assist patients with understanding how to effectively manage their chronic illness;

• Identifies resources for patients such as: a medical home, chronic disease management, prescription medication assistance, transportation and education, to name a few

• Provides assessments and education to patients. Covers topics from keeping appointments, medications and behavior change.

If you are interested in helping with the HealthNet Collaborative or need help finding services, call 828-348-2835 or email tgosnell@ccwnc.org.