G-Health Enterprises has always strived to transform healthcare by removing barriers created by social determinants of health in underserved communities. With all the news of COVID-19 case and death disparities in minority communities, this mission has become more important than ever. To that end, Dr. Raul Vazquez and his Value Based Payment team are leading the charge with The Community Response Plan.

The Community Action Response Plan is GBUACO’s initiative to unite churches, community based organizations, and medical partners in Western New York for a comprehensive approach to combat the coronavirus and mitigate its effects on the community. To achieve these goals, they will be conducting outreach efforts to provide education and connections with primary care providers, social support, and community resources, launching accessible, multi-site testing centers to test high risk, symptomatic patients, utilizing tele-health and tele-monitoring systems to address the virus and maintain patient health, and creating a voluntary isolation unit within hotels to reduce the burden on hospitals and families for those with mild-to-moderate coronavirus symptoms.

“Coronavirus shed light on social determinants of health which is what we have in many minority communities,” says Dr. Raul Vazquez, President and CEO of G-Health Enterprises. “I have been in practice for the last 30 years and some of this has changed and some of it hasn’t changed, which is sad. If you don’t have food, transportation, an apartment or stability in your life, then you aren’t going to check up on your health.”

Testing is available for high risk patients of Urban Family Practice, all primary care providers in the GBUACO Network, and now to members of the community whose providers are outside of our network, in which case we will send the results your primary provider. If an individual has no primary provider, Urban Family Practice will make the appointment through them to ensure everyone has the option to get tested. Insurance covers COVID-19 tests and for those who do not have insurance and qualify for Medicaid, we can connect you with a GBUAHN outreach enroller who will help with insurance enrollment.

Before visiting our COVID-19 testing locations, please complete a screening by our nurses to determine if you are eligible. You can begin this process by downloading the UFP, GBUAHN or GBUACO apps and filling out the COVID19 surveys or by calling our Nurse Advice Line 716- 604-0504.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a part of the GBUAHN Health Home can inquire about eligibility by calling 716-247-5282 ext. 2128 or completing a referral on the GBAUHN website, gbuahn.org.