SANTA BARBARA – Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics (SBNC) is quickly becoming the choice for many in our community who can no longer afford healthcare insurance fees, the high cost of deductibles, and the care that come with it — including those who are faced with their current providers limiting or eliminating coverage for government-funded programs, such as Medi-Cal. SBNC never has and never will eliminate acceptance of these programs, the medical provider reported recently in a media release.
“Based on our model of care and the way that we are funded, we really are well positioned to become the model of care not only for Santa Barbara, but the model of healthcare across the country,” Cynder Sinclair, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics CEO, stated in the release.
Many residents in Santa Barbara are not aware that SBNC accepts Medicare. As a Medicare provider, SBNC is able to provide very comprehensive healthcare to our 65 and older community members, including accepting newly eligible patients.
In addition, SBNC is a Medi-Cal provider. There are several programs covered by Medi-Cal, including Healthy Families, Healthy Kids, Cancer Detection Program (CDP), Child Health and Disability Prevention Program (CHDP) and CenCal Health. SBNC also accepts Blue Cross, Blue Shield, United Healthcare and numerous dental insurance plans.
“Continuity of health care is especially critical as our community members begin to face health issues related to aging,” Sinclair said. “At this time of great uncertainty for the future of healthcare and the overall welfare of seniors and the underserved in our nation, we can all celebrate our increased access to affordable and excellent healthcare right here in our community.
“We want those on healthcare coverage programs, such as Medi-Cal and those who may be uninsured and otherwise underserved, to see us as their primary healthcare provider,” Sinclair said. Over the next few years, we will see more and more of the general population coming to us for their healthcare needs. While some providers of healthcare are dropping or limiting government health programs, SBNC will always accept Medi-Cal and never turn anyone away, regardless of their ability to pay.”
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics is one of more than 800 community health clinics who are members of the California Primary Care Association (CPCA). As such, SBNC is able to leverage group purchasing on medical and administrative supplies to keep expenses down, ensuring the ability to see more patients. As SBNC upgrades to Electronic Health Records (EHR), they will increase their technical expertise, efficiency, and record keeping. This too will continue to keep prices low for their patients now and in the future.
Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics
Since Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics began serving the community more than four decades ago, the organization has been diligently working in the community to provide high quality, affordable, comprehensive healthcare to all people regardless of their ability to pay, especially those uninsured and otherwise underserved, while maintaining a welcoming environment and treating patients with compassion, dignity, and respect. Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics strives to achieve excellence and to maximize the potential of each employee, volunteer, and board member through a respectful and supportive organization. For more information please go to www.sbclinics.com