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Family First Health

A community health care center

Medical Economics: Dr. Wanda Filer speaks on high deductibles

Dr. Wanda Filer spoke with Medical Economics on how high deductibles are forcing physicians to evolve their billing and communication practices.

An excerpt:

Wanda D. Filer, MD, MBA, FAAFP, president-elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), says pricing information isn’t readily available in all healthcare markets, especially in competitive areas. She manages about 90% of patients’ health concerns in her primary care practice in York, Pennsylvania, without referrals to specialists. “My role is to offer them the best services that I can,” Filer says, while acknowledging that she tries “not to incur any more costs than I need to.”

Read the full story online.

Family First Health hosts World AIDS Day program

MEDIA ADVISORY 

Media Contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
c: 203-731-7228

Family First Health’s Caring Together Program hosts remembrance for World AIDS Day

WHEN:
1 to 3 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 1

WHAT:
Family First Health’s Caring Together Program will present a program in support of World AIDS Day on Monday, Dec. 1. Guest speakers will share their stories, reflections and remembrances, and program staff will share current HIV/AIDS stats and facts.

More than 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV infection, and almost 1 in 7 are unaware of their infection. The Caring Together Program, a collaborative partnership between Family First Health and WellSpan Health, provides a seamless system of coordinated, high-quality care for people who are HIV positive so they can easily access the services they need.

The 2014 theme for World AIDS Day is Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation. Monday’s program is an open-door event and guests are free to come and go as needed. Light refreshments will be provided.

WHERE:
Family First Health, Third Floor Community Room
116 S. George St., York PA 17401

BACKGROUND:
As of March 2014, the Caring Together Program program included 589 HIV positive individuals. Rapid HIV screening has been integrated into routine medical visits at all Family First Health locations.

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About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover and Gettysburg. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information regarding the programs and services offered through Family First Health, please visit the website at www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.

Family First Health invites public to free Affordable Care Act enrollment sessions

MEDIA ADVISORY 

Media Contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
c: 203-731-7228

Family First Health invites public to free Affordable Care Act enrollment sessions

WHAT:
Family First Health is offering free group enrollment sessions during the Affordable Care Act open enrollment period, which runs through Feb. 15, 2015.

Individuals who are currently employed, filing taxes in 2015, without health insurance, a resident of Pennsylvania and are not offered employer-based health insurance may be eligible for low-cost health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Those without coverage in 2015 face an increased financial penalty of $325 per adult and $162.50 per child OR 2 percent of household income, whichever is higher.

Family First Health’s Certified Application Counselors will be available at each enrollment session to assist with navigation of the marketplace.

WHEN/WHERE:
Thursday, Dec. 4 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., George Street Center, 116 S. George St., York PA
Thursday, Dec. 18 – Noon to 7 p.m., George Street Center, 116 S. George St., York PA
Thursday, Jan. 8 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Guthrie Memorial Library, 2 Library Place, Hanover, PA
Thursday, Jan. 15 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Adams County Library, 140 Baltimore St., Gettysburg, PA
Thursday, Jan. 22 – Noon to 7 p.m., George Street Center, 116 S. George St., York PA
Thursday, Jan. 29 – 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.,  Hanover Hospital Wellness & Education Center, 400 York St., Hanover, PA
Thursday, Feb. 12 – Noon to 7 p.m., George Street Center, 116 S. George St., York PA

BACKGROUND:
Registration is required for some sessions; find full dates and details at www.familyfirsthealth.org/fees-insurance/enrollment.

# # #

About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover and Gettysburg. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information regarding the programs and services offered through Family First Health, please visit the Web site at www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.

Family First Health kicks off Give the Gift of Good Health with #GivingTuesdayYork

IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Media Contacts
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
c: 203-731-7228

Family First Health kicks off “Give the Gift of Good Health” fundraising campaign by participating in York’s #GivingTuesday

WHEN:
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014

WHAT:
This year, Family First Health launches its Give the Gift of Good Health campaign as part of the community initiative #GivingTuesdayYork. Join us at Central Market House for this coordinated day of giving and pose in our #UNSelfie photo booth before you make your donation. Or, donate online through our secure form at familyfirsthealth.org. Each donation helps Family First Health provide affordable, high-quality medical and dental care and support services to members of our community. With your gift this season, our dental program could provide:

  • $200 – One well-child check-up
  • $100 – One panoramic x-ray of a child’s mouth
  • $75 – One comprehensive oral exam
  • $50 – One dental cleaning

WHERE:
Central Market House
34 W. Philadelphia St.
York, PA 17401

ON-SITE CONTACT:
Jess Ensminger, Executive Communications Coordinator
jensminger@familyfirsthealth.org

BACKGROUND:
#GivingTuesday was founded in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y in partnership with the United Nations Foundation. Together, with a team of influencers and founding partners, a global movement that has engaged more 10,000 organizations worldwide was launched.  On Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014, charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

# # #

About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover and Gettysburg. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information regarding the programs and services offered through Family First Health, please visit the Web site at www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.

Family First Health to participate in Extraordinary Give Nov. 21

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
c: 203-731-7228

 Family First Health to participate in Extraordinary Give fundraising campaign Nov. 21

Central Pa. – Family First Health is pleased to announce its participation in the Extraordinary Give, a 24-hour, online giving marathon where every dollar donated will be stretched by a $250,000 contribution from the Lancaster County Community Foundation.

Beginning at midnight Friday, Nov. 21, donors are invited to visit www.ExtraGive.org from a computer, smartphone or other device and select Family First Health from the list of community benefit organizations. Your online donation (minimum of $25) is fully tax-deductible.

As part of the day’s celebrations, Family First Health and Leg Up Farm will be at the Elizabethtown Public Library, 10 S. Market St., Elizabethtown, from noon to 1:30 p.m. The public is welcome to come out and learn more about the organizations and meet Chester, one of Leg Up Farm’s many special animals.

The ExtraGive giving marathon provides a way for anyone to make an impact and strengthen the nonprofit sector of our community and go the extra mile for those who rely on Family First Health to provide affordable, high-quality medical and dental care and social services. This year’s goal is $6,000 in donations.

Every donation received by Family First Health through www.ExtraGive.org makes the community health center eligible for a percentage of the stretch pool. So, if Family First Health raises 5 percent of the donations throughout the day, they receive 5 percent of the $250,000 contribution. Also up for grabs is $50,000 in prizes and incentives that could further benefit Family First Health.

Find more information at www.ExtraGive.org.

# # # 

About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover and Gettysburg. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information regarding the programs and services offered through Family First Health, please visit the website at www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.

Family First Health provider Dr. Wanda Filer selected as AAFP president-elect

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
c: 203-731-7228

American Academy of Family Physicians selects Family First Health physician Dr. Wanda Filer as president-elect

York, Pa. (Oct. 22, 2014) – Family First Health is pleased to announce that family physician Dr. Wanda Filer has been selected by the American Academy of Family Physicians as its president-elect. Dr. Filer was elected into her position as part of the 2014 meeting of The Congress of Delegates, the Academy’s policy-making body, held over two-and-a-half days in Washington, D.C., Oct. 20-22. She will assume her role of president of AAFP in fall 2015.

A part-time family physician with Family First Health, Dr. Filer joined the federally qualified health center in 2012 and works at the George Street Center in York and the Hanover Center. She also founded the Strategic Health Institute and is involved on the local and national levels with health improvement and advocacy development.

Dr. Filer served as Pennsylvania’s first Physician General and has worked extensively with the media, including 18 years as a health correspondent for WGAL News 8 in Lancaster.

She earned her doctorate from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia and completed her residency in family medicine at Underwood Memorial Hospital in Woodbury, N.J., where she also served as chief resident. She completed her MBA in 2009 at Pennsylvania State University Executive MBA Program.

Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 115,900 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.

# # #

About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover and Gettysburg. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information regarding the programs and services offered through Family First Health, please visit the website at www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.

Family First Health Focuses Starts With Apples in the Workplace

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Media Contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
c: 203-731-7228

Family First Health launches Starts With Apples to increase health literacy

 Central PA (Oct. 1, 2014) – Good health starts with an apple a day. What’s next? Being an informed patient. Family First Health, a federally qualified health center in York and Adams counties, will be celebrating National Health Literacy Month — which is also National Apple Month — with a series of events called “Starts With Apples.”

Health literacy is the ability to understand health information and to use that information to make good decisions about your health and medical care. Family First Health wants to spread the message that good health can start with an apple a day, but ultimately you need to be an active partner in your health care to be well. The average person spends 90,000 hours at work in their lifetime, so we’re focusing this year on promoting health in the workplace.

In October, Family First Health will pop up in York, Gettysburg and Hanover. Passers-by and employees at select businesses will receive a free apple and information on how to make good decisions in their health care.

  • Pop-up in Continental Square and with surrounding local businesses
    Downtown York
    Noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 21, 2014
  • Pop-up with local businesses
    Near Family First Health’s Hanover Center
    1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 22, 2014
  • Gettysburg Open House
    Family First Health
    1275 York Road, Suite 17, Gettysburg
    4:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 22, 2014

The public can visit www.startswithapples.com for more information on becoming health literate and working with their health care team, and employers can download a free, digital “Get Healthy At Work” kit including posters, a health pledge and a templated award for employees committed to their health.

Signers of the pledge, which asks workers to get active over their lunch break, are encouraged to snap a photo of themselves with their pledge and share it on the Family First Health Facebook page or on Twitter with the hashtag #startswithapples. And, follow Family First Health on Facebook and Twitter for tips on being an informed patient all month long.

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About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover and Gettysburg. As a FQHC, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information, please visit www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.