Quick Facts:
Springfield
“How can I become a patient here?” was the question more than one guest asked at the June 6 ribbon cutting of Mercy and Humana’s new 65 Prime+ by Mercy Primary Care clinic in Springfield. It’s easy to understand why
The new clinic for patients 65 years and older on Medicare provides more than the typical primary care services. Each 65 Prime+ location is designed to serve as a community gathering place where patients can receive education and support for common health-related questions and topics. The clinics also offer a different model of care than most patients are used to when visiting the doctor:
- Extended visit times, which is a common request from older patients
- More frequent visits to keep ongoing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease under control
- Regularly scheduled appointments within a week
- Same-day or next-day appointments for urgent concerns or sudden, severe conditions
As of today, Mercy and Humana have opened two of these clinics in Missouri. The first opened in Springfield, and the second clinic opened today in Nixa.
Mercy announced plans to collaborate with Humana on the new clinics to expand Mercy’s existing 65 Prime+ model in January. These clinics will be in-network for most Medicare Advantage plans, and they will also accept Original Medicare. The first clinic opened June 6 at 319 E. Battlefield Road in Springfield with a ribbon cutting and
blessing and an audience of community members, Mercy caregivers and patients, who were able to meet two of the clinic’s providers.
“It wasn’t a surprise at all to have two patients at the ribbon cutting stop and ask us what number they needed to call to become a patient here. That tells us this is a community need, and it feels incredible to see the excitement that’s built up since we announced plans to open clinics that cater to patients 65 and older,” said Lashelle Tipton, Mercy’s director of operations for southwest Missouri senior focus primary care. “We’ve been getting calls and questions from patients almost daily who want to switch their primary care to these new clinics.”
The second clinic, which opened today at 701 N. McCroskey St. in Nixa, features the integration of a community room that will be a common feature with the new clinic model. “This model is so different than the traditional doctor’s office. We want these clinics to meet a range of needs we know our older patients have. We want to provide primary care, access to education and even community fitness events,” Tipton said. “We can host chair yoga or a painting class or set up educational seminars about diabetes management or durable power of attorney.”
Mercy and Humana plan to open a third clinic in Springfield this fall with more openings planned around Missouri. Each 65 Prime+ location will care for up to 2,000 new patients at sites that provide convenient access. “You’ll notice that these clinics are located in popular shopping centers where there are restaurants, grocery stores and other services nearby,” Tipton said. “That is intentional. 65 Prime+ clinics are all about ease of access and meeting our patients where they are in the community.”
Now, anytime Tipton’s team gets a call from a patient asking how they can move over to a 65 Prime+ clinic, they will be able to share the good news that they can take care of that today.
