Ten Maine nonprofit organizations received a total of $50,000 in funding through Community Health Options’ 2024 Wellness Grants to support programs that promote physical and emotional well-being in communities across the state.
“Each year, we’re inspired by the impact small organizations have across Maine and privileged to play a small part in supporting these projects,” said Kevin Lewis, president and CEO of Community Health Options. “We continue to be amazed by the creativity of these initiatives, whether helping girls to build self-confidence, supporting substance use disorder recovery, or lending out gear so more people can enjoy the beauty of our state.”
In the accompanying photo, girls participate in a program offered by grant recipient Fit Girls of Wilton Maine. Learn about all of the recipients and read our full news release here.
Many of us are waiting weeks or months to book medical appointments. Or taking a long drive to get to the only provider taking new patients—often more than an hour away. And once in the office, chances are we’re spending more time in waiting rooms just for a routine appointment.
The national shortage of healthcare workers has been well-documented, and Maine is feeling it, too, with access to providers emerging as one of the greatest barriers to treatment. By the end of 2022, Maine had just 580 doctors practicing family medicine, an 18% decline from 2019, according to The Portland Press Herald, leaving fewer doctors for a growing population.
During the pandemic, patients discovered the convenience of telehealth and began meeting with their providers through a phone call or video chat from the comfort of their own homes. The concept certainly wasn’t new—Community Health Options Members had access to Amwell® behavioral telehealth well before Covid-19 struck.
That concept has expanded to virtual primary care, giving people the option through an online care team, expanding access to care. Alongside its traditional provider network, Community Health Options now offers Members 18 and older the option to choose a virtual-first primary care team through Firefly Health.
When it comes to health outcomes, many studies have shown patients miss fewer virtual appointments, helping them to stay on track with their health needs. And in a recent pilot program, Walmart employees with diabetes who used virtual care saw a 24% average reduction in glucose levels and patients with hypertension had a 14% reduction in blood pressure, the company said in 2023 when it expanded its program to Maine, among other states.
