Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Concordia Team Up with Community Health Clinic PITTSBURGH, Nov. 3
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, November 8, Highmark Blue
Cross Blue Shield and United Concordia dental will team up to host a day of
free health and dental screenings and services at Community Health Clinic in
New Kensington. The public is invited to participate in this day-long
community event which is open to adults age 18 to 64 who are uninsured or have
minimal health or dental coverage. Free flu shots also will be administered
at this community-based program which runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Because
participation is expected to be high, pre-registration is recommended.
Community Health Clinic, located at 943 Fourth Avenue in New Kensington,
will accept pre-registrations by phone at (724) 335-3334. Free parking will
be available, and information on a variety of health-oriented topics including
Pennsylvania's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), adultBasic and
Medicaid programs administered by Highmark will also be available.
In addition to screenings, entertainment, refreshments and give-aways will
be provided all day.
Since many families do not have insurance or have limited funding for
care, professionals will volunteer their time to bring this important service
to the community to ensure those who participate receive the care they need.
"Without adequate insurance, people tend to put off seeking medical
treatment, which can potentially contribute to more severe health problems,"
said Highmark's Director of Program Implementation and Development, Charles
Gladney. "The partnership of Highmark and United Concordia with Community
Health Clinic will provide people with an opportunity to learn, to be
screened, to receive services and information that will help residents of the
New Kensington area live longer, healthier lives."
"Oral disease is a growing epidemic in the United States," says Harlon L.
Robinson, United Concordia corporate vice president of Human Resources and
Administration and Corporate Diversity chairman. "Dental decay can cause pain,
loss of time from work and lower self-esteem. Our goal is to make sure
everyone has the opportunity to see a dentist so they can achieve optimal oral
health no matter where they live. We also teach them healthy dental habits
that they can carry with them through their lives."
In 2007, New Kensington's Community Health Clinic was awarded a $200,000
grant from the Highmark Foundation to support the creation of a dental clinic
in the Alle-Kiski Valley to serve low-income individuals and families. The
Nov. 8 event will be held at this facility. Screenings and services being
offered at no cost will provide New Kensington residents with a better
understanding about the importance of good overall health as well as dental
health.
Free health screenings include:
-- Glucose/sugar
-- Blood pressure
-- Cholesterol
-- Body mass index
And, free dental services for children and adults will include:
-- Screenings
-- Cleanings
-- Restorative procedures
About Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
As one of the state's leading health insurers and with nearly 70 years of
community involvement, Highmark Blue Shield helps members live longer,
healthier lives by ensuring access to affordable, high quality health
insurance and services. Highmark offers the widest range of products, access
to all area hospitals and the most responsive customer service. Highmark
exerts an enormous economic impact throughout Pennsylvania. A recent study
states that Highmark's positive impact exceeded $2.5 billion. Employing more
than 5,000 people in central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley, Highmark
provides the resources to give its members a greater hand in their health.
Highmark Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue
Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Plans. For more information about Highmark Blue Shield, visit
www.highmark.com.
About United Concordia
United Concordia Companies, Inc., headquartered in Harrisburg, PA, is one
of the nation's largest dental insurers, with more than 7.7 million members
worldwide. In 2007, United Concordia processed more than 12 million claims and
attained revenues of $1.3 billion. For more information on United Concordia,
visit www.ucci.com.
SOURCE Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
