New mobile medical center by Health Plan of Nevada and Southwest Medical makes it easier for Nevadans to access primary and preventive care
LAS VEGAS – UnitedHealthcare’s Health Plan of Nevada and Southwest Medical, a part of OptumCare, are launching “Medicine on the Move,” a portable doctor’s office that brings health care closer to people’s homes and workplaces.
The Medicine on the Move mobile medical center is designed to lower barriers to health care – such as transportation, child care, work obligations and the low number of primary care physicians in Nevada – that often put even routine checkups out of reach.
“Many patients struggle to get to a health care provider, so we will take the health care provider to them,” said Robert McBeath, M.D., president and CEO of Southwest Medical. “Reliable transportation, child care or the many other daily life challenges should not be a barrier to quality health care. Medicine on the Move will be a convenient option for Nevadans who want easier access to primary and preventive care closer to where they live and work.”
“Access to quality primary and preventive care is essential for people to maintain good health and quality of life, especially in Nevada, where the number of primary care physicians has not kept pace with the state’s growing population,” said Don Giancursio, CEO of UnitedHealthcare in Nevada. “Bringing quality health care to the people in our communities is what Medicine on the Move is all about.”
Health Plan of Nevada and Southwest Medical designed and commissioned the construction of the customized mobile medical center to bring health care directly to residents in Nevada. Medicine on the Move offers patients a wide range of health care services, such as pediatric and primary care, immunizations, X-rays, mammographies, physicals and basic lab tests, and features two exam rooms, a laboratory for urinalysis and blood tests, a radiology lab, a lobby and a restroom.
The mobile medical center is staffed by a provider, two licensed practical nurses, two medical assistants and a radiology technician. It is furnished with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, and is designed to have a similar look and feel to traditional Southwest Medical clinics.
The 45-foot-long clinic will travel to community centers, homeless shelters and churches to reach Medicaid members and others who need health care services. Medicine on the Move will also make regular visits to some businesses whose employees are enrolled in Health Plan of Nevada or Sierra Health and Life medical benefit plans.
The mobile medical center arrives Monday, Feb. 22, and will be stationed adjacent to the Southwest Medical clinic on 2704 N. Tenaya Way in Las Vegas before hitting the road this spring. To view a calendar of the mobile clinic’s future locations, visit MedicineOnTheMoveNV.com. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-382-0870.
Medicine on the Move was designed and built in Jasper, Texas, by Mobile Specialty Vehicles, Inc., a 36-year leader in producing commercial specialty vehicles. The company’s engineers custom-built the mobile medical center using all American-made parts and top-grade materials to guarantee durability and function.
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 1 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter. In Nevada, UnitedHealthcare is the state’s largest health insurer offering health coverage through Health Plan of Nevada, Sierra Health and Life, Senior Dimension, and MedicareComplete.
About Southwest Medical
Founded in Las Vegas in 1972, Southwest Medical is one of Nevada’s largest multispecialty medical groups, with over 350 local health care providers in 22 health care centers, including six urgent care centers, five convenient cares, two outpatient surgery centers and two lifestyle centers catering to older adults. Our full spectrum of health care services includes the Southwest Medical Associates Hospice, improving the quality of life for people experiencing a terminal illness. We bring care and comfort home to our patients through Home Health Services, Home Care Plus, Total Home Care and Palliative Care, all part of the continuum of care for all stages of a person’s life. For more than four decades, we have provided this experienced, compassionate, innovative and high-quality care to patients throughout Southern Nevada. From our 24-hour urgent care center to industry-leading technology, such as convenient e-visits and online options such as our NowClinic® telemedicine platform, Southwest Medical’s goal is to bring patients the health care they want, the way they want it. Southwest Medical is part of OptumCare, a business of health leader Optum. For more information, visit: smalv.com.