Charlotte, N.C.-based Carolinas HealthCare System and the YMCA of Greater Charlotte are expanding their existing partnership to offer a larger array of services to help residents in the area live healthier lives, according to The Charlotte Observer.
As part of the partnership agreement, the organizations will collaborate on five areas of care, including, preventing and managing chronic disease, improving behavioral health, improving access to care, reducing violence and eliminating health disparities, according to the report. Select YMCA sites will also begin offering primary or urgent care services.
As part of the collaboration, the YMCA's current diabetes prevention program will become a covered benefit and will be eligible for Medicare reimbursement in 2018. The organizations also plan to launch a mobile unit to assist residents in urban and rural communities with limited access to healthcare.
The programs and services offered through the collaboration will be made available to YMCA members as well as nonmembers, according to the report.
The organizations will create a joint Health and Wellness Advisory Board to guide the programs. Alisahah Cole, MD, system medical director of community health at Carolinas HealthCare, will lead the board.